by Anyausa

hi all

So I am on page 549 "Oncological disorders" Saunders 4th edition.
In box # 45-2 about protecting child from infection who has leukemia I read that a child should NOT receive immunization with live virus. OK.
Then on page 555, quiz question # 1 says about a mother who has child with leukemia. Child was exposed to chickenpox and the mother calls the clinic. What nurse should tell her? Correct answer is:"Bring the child to the clinic for a vaccine"
Chickenpox/varicella is live virus vaccine...Explanation is that immunocompromised children are unable to fight varicella adequately. No doubts about it.
Give or not to give vaccine on NCLEX??????

.....any ideas???

Re: Confused with question from Saunders

I needed some clarification on that question too. Isn't the varicella vaccine a live virus?So I agree, y would you give an immunosuppressed child a live virus. So therefore, I picked answer #4, which is Monitor the child for a fever and call the clinic if this occurs. I picked that ans. because a child with leukemia is immunosuppressed so a fever would warrant immed attn. because an infection may be going on.

AnyaUSA, what answer did you choose for that question?

Re: Confused with question from Saunders

I choose answer "Keep the child home for two weeks"-I was thinking nce you can not give live vaccine to leukemic child, and there is nothing really you can do in chickenpox anyway (only symptomatic therapy), so this one made more sense to me. This child has immune system bad anyway so lets not get it worse by taking him anywhere. Especially when chapter says no live vaccines..
I am still confused...

Re: Confused with question from Saunders

Originally Posted by Anyausa

I choose answer "Keep the child home for two weeks"-I was thinking nce you can not give live vaccine to leukemic child, and there is nothing really you can do in chickenpox anyway (only symptomatic therapy), so this one made more sense to me. This child has immune system bad anyway so lets not get it worse by taking him anywhere. Especially when chapter says no live vaccines..
I am still confused...

I picked the same answer. Im confused as well. I didnt pick option# 1 because it says "theres no need to be concerned." Of course there is a NEED to be concerned, the child is immunocompromised in the first place. option#2 "bring the child in the clinic for vaccine" And like what you all said, I THOUGHT THE BOOK SAYS VARICELLA IS A LIVE VACCINE so immunocompromised children should not receive this. option#3- "keep the child out of school for 2 week period" - I picked this answer, its the safest!! option#4- "monitor child for elevated temp and call clinic if tis happens" - I didnt pick this one because you should not let the immunocompromised child to just be exposed to a classmate diagnosed with chickenpox and do nothing but wait and just take actions when the child already has a fever ad the disease has been transmitted.

SO I WAS REALLY SURPRISED WHEN THE RIGHT ANSWER TURNED OUT TO BE OPTION# 2.