Which of the following is a characteristic clinical stage of measles infection?

Choice A rationale:

Providing oral care with mouthwash containing alcohol is not appropriate for a client with suspected measles and Koplik spots in the mouth. Alcohol-based mouthwashes can be irritating to the mucous membranes and may exacerbate the symptoms.

Choice B rationale:

Offering spicy and acidic foods to encourage appetite is not appropriate for a client with measles and Koplik spots. Spicy and acidic foods may cause discomfort and irritation to the oral mucosa, making the condition worse.

Choice C rationale:

Rinsing the mouth with warm saline solution is the correct nursing intervention for a client with measles and Koplik spots. Saline solution helps soothe the irritated mucous membranes and can aid in reducing discomfort.

Choice D rationale:

Applying topical corticosteroid ointment to the spots is not appropriate for a client with measles and Koplik spots. Corticosteroids can suppress the immune response, which may interfere with the body's ability to fight off the measles virus.

Choice A rationale:

Incubation is a characteristic clinical stage of measles infection. During the incubation period, which typically lasts 10 to 14 days, the person is infected with the measles virus, but there are no visible symptoms yet. The virus is actively replicating in the body, and the person is contagious during this stage.

Choice B rationale:

Convalescence is the stage during which the person begins to recover from the infection and the symptoms gradually improve. It is not a characteristic stage of measles infection.

Choice C rationale:

Resolution refers to the stage when the infection is completely cleared, and the symptoms have resolved. It is not specific to measles infection.

Choice D rationale:

Elimination is not a characteristic clinical stage of measles infection. It does not describe any specific phase of the disease progression.