Pediatric Nursing Demystified

Nursing alert Children who are taking corticosteroids for >2 weeks or who have

a weak immune system should not be administered live, attenuated vaccination.

Don’t administer the measles vaccine together with the tuberculin purified protein

derivative test because this might cause a false-negative test result.

Bacteria

Bacteria adhere to mucosal surface or epithelial cells and produce proteins

that disrupt cell function or destroy cells walls. There are two types of proteins

that can be produced:

Exotoxins:Protein is released during cell growth and is affected by

antibiotics.

Endotoxins:Protein is released when the bacteria decomposes and are

not affected by antibiotics.

Floraconsists of bacteria within the body that isn’t harmful under normal cir-

cumstanceand in some situations helps the body in digestion and in restrain-

ing the growth of harmful microorganism.

Viruses

A virus is a tiny microorganism that must invade a cell in order to reproduce. Once

inside the cell, the virus modifies the cell’s normal function to propagate the virus.

Antibiotics are ineffective against a virus; however, the health-care provider may

prescribe prophylactic antibiotics because a virus infection may weaken the

patient’s immune system, creating an environment for bacteria to prosper.

A health-care provider may proscribe antiviral medication to fight the virus.

Diphtheria

What Went Wrong?

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection typically of the larynx, tonsils, and nasopharynx

that is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheria. The bacterium is transmitted by

contact with discharge from a skin lesion or discharge from the nasal passages,

pharynx, or eye between 2 and 4 weeks following the onset of symptoms. Symp-

toms can take up to 7 days to appear. Diphtheria is preventable with a series of

immunizations (DTaP) that begin at 2 months of age. An infant is protected for

6 months by passive immunity if the infant’s mother has diphtheria antibodies.

Nursing alert Place the patient on droplet isolation. If lesions are present,

place the patient on contact isolation.

Signs and Symptoms

Purulent rhinitis

Cough

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CHAPTER 14/ Infectious and Communicable Conditions^305