21. An older adult attending a community health fair asks about receiving the necessary vaccines for the swine flu. The nurse tells the client that, to prevent the spread of swine flu, the client should receive:
21. An older adult attending a community health fair asks about receiving the necessary vaccines for the swine flu. The nurse tells the client that, to prevent the spread of swine flu, the client should receive:
. Just the seasonal flu and the pneumonia vaccines.
. The novel H1N1 vaccine instead of the seasonal vaccine.
. The seasonal and novel H1N1 vaccines the same day.
. The novel H1N1 and seasonal vaccines a week apart.
Test-Taking Tip
Choose the answer that focuses on both vaccines and the "same day."
Content Area: Adult Health, Infectious Disease; Integrated Process: Teaching and Learning; Cognitive Level: Application; Client Need/Subneed: Safe, Effective Care Environment/Safety and Infection Control, Preventive Measures
.
Answer 1 is incorrect because the best protection is to receive both seasonal and novel H1N1 vaccines. The pneumonia vaccine should be given once to adults 65 years or older. If given at 60 years of age or earlier a booster may be required 5 to 10 years later. Children older than 2 years with chronic respiratory or cardiac conditions may receive the pneumonia vaccine. Answer 2 is incorrect because healthy adults over 65 were not as susceptible to the novel H1N1 (swine flu) as originally feared. Answer 3 is correct because the older adult, while less susceptible to the swine flu than younger clients, should receive both vaccines particularly if they also have pre-existing chronic conditions. The vaccines can be taken the same day. Answer 4 is incorrect because the vaccines can be given the same day in two different syringes. Only the nasal forms of the vaccine need to be given a month apart and the H1N1 nasal vaccine is reserved for ages 2 to 49 years.