Four cases of meningococcal meningitis have been reported in a ...

[notis]

Four cases of meningococcal meningitis have been reported in a local school district. The school nurse prepares to treat the remaining school population based upon which knowledge?
 
  Standard Text: Select all that apply.
  1. Anyone who has been potentially exposed should be immunized.
  2. Immunization will occur using one of the four types of vaccines available.
  3. No treatment is necessary, since meningitis is rarely contracted by casual contact.
  4. Many people will choose not to be immunized because meningitis is not a lethal disorder.
  5. Treatment often includes use of prophylactic antibiotics.

Question 2

A parent states, The doctor said the hepatitis B vaccine is a live virus. I don't want to run the risk of giving my child hepatitis. How should the nurse respond?
 
  Standard Text: Select all that apply.
  1. The virus is alive but weakened, so it won't give your child the disease.
  2. Live viral vaccine does not mean that the virus is alive.
  3. The vaccine is noninfectious and can't cause hepatitis.
  4. We will give your child additional medications to prevent the virus from replicating.
  5. I'll tell the doctor that you have refused the immunization.

[shayla]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1,5
Rationale 1: Exposure to meningitis is an indication for the need for immunization.
Rationale 2: There are two types of vaccines available.
Rationale 3: Meningitis is caused by a highly virulent and contagious organism.
Rationale 4: About 10 of those infected with meningitis die, and up to 20 have some degree of permanent neurologic disability.
Rationale 5: Antibiotic therapy is frequently offered to individuals that have had close contact with infected persons.
Global Rationale: Early hospitalization and aggressive treatment with intravenous (IV) penicillin-based antibiotics have reduced the mortality and morbidity of meningococcal infection, a highly virulent and contagious organism. About 10 of patients die from the infection and up to 20 experience some degree of permanent neurologic disability. Once an outbreak (three or more confirmed cases) is documented, immunization is recommended for all potentially exposed individuals, and antibiotic therapy is frequently offered to individuals having close contact with the infected persons. There are two types of vaccines available.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 2,3
Rationale 1: The virus is not alive.
Rationale 2: Live does not indicate that the virus is actually alive.
Rationale 3: The hepatitis B vaccine is noninfectious.
Rationale 4: No additional medications are needed or given.
Rationale 5: This parent needs additional information before making the decision to refuse this immunization.
Global Rationale: The HBV vaccine is a noninfectious, highly immunogenic vaccine that provides immunity to HBV in 99 to 100 of patients when given in the recommended three-dose regimen. Modern biologic techniques have allowed the development of vaccines that include partial organisms or proteins that are generated in the laboratory. It was originally obtained from the serum of infected individuals but carried the risk of transmitting HIV when it was administered as a vaccine. Through advances in recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology, yeast cells have been reengineered to produce proteins very similar to those found on the coating of the hepatitis B virus, allowing for the development of safe immune protection from this virus. The virus is not alive and is noninfectious. No additional medications are needed or given.

[notis]

Both answers were spot on, thank you once again

[shayla]

Great! Please up vote