Question

A nurse is reinforcing teaching about comfort measures with the parent of a 10-year old child who has a viral infection. The nurse should plan to tell the parent that aspirin is contraindicated because of the risk for which of the following conditions?

A. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
B. Reye syndrome
C. Glomerulonephritis
D. Iron-deficiency anemia

Answer 1

Aspirin is contraindicated for children with a viral infection due to the risk of Reye syndrome, which can cause severe liver and brain swelling and be fatal.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should plan to tell the parent that aspirin is contraindicated for children with viral infections due to the risk of Reye syndrome. Reye syndrome is a rare but serious condition that causes swelling in the liver and brain, which can lead to neurological damage, coma, or death. Since aspirin and products containing aspirin are associated with the development of Reye syndrome in children and teenagers following a viral infection, they should be avoided. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has required warnings about this syndrome on all aspirin-containing products since 1988. Instead of aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used to treat fever and pain in children.