Question

During a well-baby visit, a 2-month-old infant receives diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine, inactivated poliovirus vaccine, hepatitis B vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, and Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib) vaccine. The parents ask why the baby must have the Hib vaccine. How should the nurse respond?

1. "This vaccine prevents infection by various strains of the influenza virus."
2. "This vaccine protects against serious bacterial infections, such as meningitis and bacterial pneumonia."
3. "This vaccine prevents infection by the hepatitis B virus."
4. "This vaccine prevents chickenpox."

Answer 1

The Hib vaccine protects against serious bacterial infections, such as meningitis and bacterial pneumonia.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should respond by saying that the Hib vaccine protects against serious bacterial infections, such as meningitis and bacterial pneumonia.

H. influenzae type b (Hib) is a bacterium that can cause meningitis, pneumonia, and other severe infections in infants and young children. The Hib vaccine is given to infants to protect them from these serious bacterial infections.