Pediatric Nursing Demystified

Treatment

Administer tetanus immune globulin to reverse tetanus toxin.

Administer tetanus toxoid at an injection site different from the tetanus

immune globulin.

Administer antibiotic (penicillin G, metronidazole, erythromycin, tetra-

cycline).

Administer muscle relaxants.

Debride the wound.

Nursing Intervention

Place the patient in the intensive care unit to monitor cardiorespiratory

function.

Provide a quiet environment to reduce external stimuli.

Limit touching and moving the patient to reduce external stimuli.

Explain the disorder and treatment to the family and to the patient,

remembering that the patient has full mental capacity.

Nursing alert Keep rescue equipment nearby because all muscles might become

rigid and disrupt the patient’s cardiorespiratory function.

Fifth Disease

What Went Wrong?

Fifth disease is a viral infection caused by the human parvovirus B19 virus that

is transmitted through infected blood and respiratory droplets. The incubation

period is between 6 and 14 days after symptoms appear. The fifth disease is

the fifth most common rash producing viral infection in children. The others

are rubella, rubeola, roseola infantum, and varicella.

Signs and Symptoms

Slapped-cheek-like rash on the face.

Flat red spotted rash on the trunk and proximal extremities. The rash

fades in the center of the rash.

No rash on the palms and soles.

Upper respiratory infection.

Low-grade fever.

Headache.

Test Results

No tests

Nursing alert Diagnosis is based on symptoms, history, and by ruling out other

disorders.

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CHAPTER 14/ Infectious and Communicable Conditions^311