Question

With regard to rubella and Rh issues, nurses should be aware that:

a. Breastfeeding mothers cannot be vaccinated with the live attenuated rubella virus.
b. Women should be warned that the rubella vaccination is teratogenic and that they must avoid pregnancy for 1 month after vaccination.
c. Rh immune globulin is safely administered intravenously because it cannot harm a nursing infant.
d. Rh immune globulin boosts the immune system and thereby enhances the effectiveness of vaccinations.

Answer 1

Nurses should inform women that the rubella vaccine is teratogenic and to avoid pregnancy for 1 month post-vaccination. Rh immune globulin, or RhoGAM, is administered to Rh-negative mothers to prevent HDN and does not affect a nursing infant or enhance vaccine effectiveness.

Step-by-step explanation:

Rubella and Rh Issues in Pregnancy

When dealing with rubella and Rh factor incompatibility, nurses need to be aware of several important facts:Women should be warned that the rubella vaccination is teratogenic, and they should avoid becoming pregnant for at least 1 month following vaccination to prevent the risk of congenital defects in the developing fetus.The Rh immune globulin, commonly known as RhoGAM, is used to prevent the development of Rh antibodies in an Rh-negative mother, which could otherwise lead to hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). RhoGAM works by destroying any fetal Rh-positive erythrocytes that might cross the placental barrier.Rh immune globulin can be safely administered via intramuscular or intravenous injection and does not harm a nursing infant. However, it is not accurate to say that it boosts the immune system to enhance the effectiveness of vaccinations as its role is different.

RhoGAM is highly effective in reducing the incidence of HDN and is routinely administered to Rh-negative mothers during the 26-28 weeks of pregnancy and within 72 hours after birth.