Question

A nurse is caring for a prenatal client who has parvovirus B19 (fifth disease). Which of the following actions should the nurse take?"

A) Administer antibiotics.
B) Monitor blood pressure.
C) Schedule an ultrasound examination.
D) Provide pain medication.

Answer 1

The nurse should schedule an ultrasound examination for a prenatal client with parvovirus B19 to monitor fetal health and detect any potential complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse is caring for a prenatal client who has parvovirus B19 (fifth disease). One of the actions the nurse should take is to schedule an ultrasound examination. Parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy can lead to serious complications for the fetus, including hydrops fetalis, which is a condition characterized by severe edema and heart failure. An ultrasound can monitor the health of the fetus, detect any abnormalities, and assess the amount of amniotic fluid, which can indicate whether there is fetal anemia or other complications. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses, so administering them is not an appropriate action. Monitoring blood pressure is part of standard prenatal care, but it does not directly address the parvovirus B19. Pain medication may be provided for symptomatic relief if the patient is experiencing significant discomfort, but it is not the primary action in this case.