NCLEX Pediatric Practice: Communicable Diseases

Chickenpox (Varicella)

• Aspirin should not be given to children with chickenpox due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.
• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used to manage fever.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

• Antibiotics are crucial in treating pertussis to reduce the severity and spread of the disease.
• Administering antibiotics as prescribed is the priority.

Measles (Rubeola)

• Measles is often associated with conjunctivitis, cough, coryza (runny nose), and Koplik spots (small white spots) inside the mouth.
• Conjunctivitis is a key symptom that supports a diagnosis of measles.

Mumps

• Meningitis is a potential complication of mumps that is particularly concerning due to its impact on the central nervous system and potential for long-term neurological damage.
• Other potential complications of mumps include hearing loss, orchitis, and pancreatitis.

Measles

• Measles virus (paramyxovirus) causes a highly contagious viral disease
• Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected person's saliva or mucus, or airborne transmission through coughing and sneezing
• Common symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, Koplik spots, and a rash starting on the face and spreading to the rest of the body
• Complications can lead to ear infections, pneumonia, encephalitis, and rarely, death

Influenza

• Influenza viruses (A, B, and C) cause a contagious respiratory illness
• Transmission occurs through airborne transmission by coughing and sneezing, or contact with contaminated surfaces
• Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, fatigue, and muscle or body aches
• Complications can lead to pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus and ear infections, and worsening of existing health conditions

Pertussis

• Bordetella pertussis causes a highly contagious bacterial disease
• Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected person's saliva or mucus, or airborne transmission by coughing and sneezing
• Symptoms include a mild cough that worsens over time, apnea in infants, vomiting after coughing, and a mild fever
• Complications can lead to pneumonia, seizures, encephalopathy, and rarely, death

Strep Throat

• Streptococcus pyogenes causes a bacterial infection
• Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected person's saliva or mucus, or contact with contaminated surfaces
• Symptoms include a sudden onset of sore throat, painful swallowing, fever, white or red patches on tonsils, and swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck
• Complications can lead to kidney inflammation and rheumatic fever (rarely)

Varicella (Chickenpox)

• Varicella-zoster virus causes a highly contagious viral disease
• Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected person's saliva or mucus, or airborne transmission by coughing and sneezing
• Symptoms include an itchy, blister-like rash, fever, headache, fatigue, and loss of appetite
• Complications can lead to bacterial infections of the skin or lungs, encephalitis, and rarely, death

Fifth Disease (Erythema Infectiosum)

• Parvovirus B19 causes a mild, highly contagious viral disease
• Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected person's saliva or mucus, or airborne transmission by coughing and sneezing
• Symptoms include a bright red rash on the face (slapped-cheek appearance), lacy, pink rash on arms and legs, fever, headache, and fatigue
• Complications can lead to arthritis and anemia (rarely)

Practice questions to help prepare for the pediatric NCLEX exam, focusing on communicable diseases such as chickenpox. Test your knowledge and identify areas for further study.