Health Promotion and Maintenance
73. A charge nurse is creating nursing assignments for a pediatric unit when one of the oncoming nurses calls to say, "Sorry, I'll be a few minutes late since I have a child home ill with the chickenpox." What type of assignment would be most acceptable for the nurse who will be late?
. Any assignment is fine as long as the nurse wears a mask.
. The nurse needs an assignment that does not include children with neutropenia.
. The nurse should not be given an assignment and should be called off.
. Any care assignment is acceptable, without restrictions.
Test-Taking Tip
Choose the one answer that states "not be given an assignment." Varicella is easily transmitted among close contacts such as family members. Even though most adults have immunity to chickenpox, this can only be verified with a varicella titer.
Content Area: Child Health, Infectious Disease; Integrated Process: Nursing Process, Implementation; Cognitive Level: Analysis; Client Need/Subneed: Safe and Effective Care Environment/Safety and Infection Control/Standard/Transmission-based/Other Precautions
Health Promotion and Maintenance
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Answer 1 is incorrect since wearing a mask will not guarantee that the nurse, if infected, will not transmit the virus to hospitalized children. Answer 2 is incorrect since all pediatric clients could be at risk if the oncoming nurse is not immune to varicella. The charge nurse cannot assume that the nurse is immune. Answer 3 is correct because the nurse has been exposed to someone with varicella (chickenpox). The charge nurse must first determine the nurse's varicella immune status before permitting the nurse to provide care. Answer 4 is incorrect since all pediatric clients could be at risk if the oncoming nurse is not immune to varicella. The charge nurse cannot assume that the nurse is immune.