PEDS Unit 6 Flashcards
(39 cards)
What is the incubation period in infectious disease?
Time from entrance of pathogen into the body to appearance of first symptoms
Pathogens grow and multiply during this stage.
Define the period of communicability.
Time during which an infectious agent may be transferred from an infected person to another person
This can occur directly or indirectly.
What occurs during the prodrome stage of an infectious disease?
Onset of nonspecific symptoms such as fever, malaise, and fatigue to more specific symptoms
What characterizes the illness stage of an infectious disease?
Time during which child demonstrates signs and symptoms specific to infection type
What is convalescence in the context of infectious diseases?
Time when acute symptoms of illness disappear
When should a provider be called for a child with a fever?
- Any child younger than 3 months with rectal temperature >38°C (100.4°F)
- Any child who is lethargic or listless regardless of temperature
- Any child with fever lasting more than 3-5 days
- Any child with fever >40.6°C (105°F)
- Any child who is immunocompromised
What are the highest risk factors for sepsis in children?
- <1 month of age
- Immunocompromised
- Debilitating chronic conditions
- Serious injury or extensive surgery sites
- Genitourinary abnormalities with frequent urinary catheterization
- Indwelling vascular catheters
- Premature birth, PROM, or prolonged labor
- Maternal TORCH infection
- Meconium aspiration
List signs and symptoms of sepsis.
- Child does not look or act right
- Lethargy
- Increased irritability
- Pallor
- Temperature instability
- Poor sucking or feeding difficulty
- Changes in mental status
- Rash
- Increased work of breathing
- Dehydration
- Poor muscle tone
- Seizures
- Tachycardia or bradycardia in infants
What laboratory findings may indicate sepsis?
- Elevated WBC
- Decreased WBC (ominous sign)
- Lactate level >2
- Elevated C-reactive protein
- Positive bacterial blood culture
- Possible positive bacterial urine culture
- Increased WBC, protein, low glucose in CSF
- Positive stool culture for infectious organisms
What is the nursing management for sepsis in children?
- Managed aggressively in neonates and infants
- PICU admission
- IV antibiotic therapy immediately after cultures obtained
- Antibiotics discontinued after 72 hours if cultures are negative and symptoms are gone
- Use aseptic technique
How is scarlet fever transmitted?
Contact with droplets of respiratory secretions
What are the key symptoms of scarlet fever?
- Abrupt onset, fever, chills, body aches
- Red and swollen pharynx
- Strawberry tongue
- Sandpaper-like rash lasting 5 days
What is the incubation period for diphtheria?
Time from exposure to onset of symptoms, typically 2-5 days
What are the nursing assessments for diphtheria?
- Immunization history
- Sore throat, fever, difficulty swallowing
What is the hallmark symptom of pertussis?
Paroxysmal cough
What is the incubation period for measles?
10-12 days
What are Koplik spots associated with?
Measles
What are common complications of measles?
- Diarrhea
- Otitis media
- Pneumonia
- Acute encephalitis
What is the communicable period for mumps?
Several days before parotitis and for 6-9 days after parotid swelling begins
What is the incubation period for rubella?
12-23 days; averaging 2 weeks
What is the primary prevention method for varicella?
Varicella vaccine
What is a characteristic symptom of roseola infantum?
High fever followed by a rash
What is the incubation period for fifth disease?
4-28 days
What is the treatment for pediculosis capitis?
Wash hair with permethrin shampoo, repeat in about a week
