Final answer:
The nurse should administer antibiotics as ordered when admitting a school-age child with pertussis. The child should be isolated to prevent the spread of infection, and administering a live attenuated vaccine is not recommended during an active infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Management of a Child with Pertussis
When admitting a school-age child with pertussis, also known as whooping cough, the nurse should take specific actions to manage the condition and prevent the spread of infection. Administering antibiotics as ordered is critical, especially if diagnosed in the early stages of the disease; this can help manage the symptoms and reduce transmission. Erythromycin or tetracycline are commonly used antibiotics for this purpose. Placing the child in a room with other children would be contraindicated due to the highly communicable nature of pertussis. Therefore, the child should be isolated to prevent droplet transmission to other susceptible individuals. While deep breathing exercises are generally beneficial for respiratory health, they are not the primary focus in the acute management of pertussis. Lastly, administering a live attenuated vaccine is not recommended during an active infection; the vaccine should be given as a preventative measure prior to infection. The DTaP and Tdap vaccines contain the acellular pertussis toxoid, which is crucial for vaccination efforts to control the disease. Overall, the correct answer is to administer antibiotics as ordered.