Question

A child is diagnosed with scarlet fever. Which medication would the nurse anticipate being prescribed for this child?

A) Ibuprofen
B) Acyclovir
C) Penicillin V
D) Doxycycline

Answer 1

The nurse would likely anticipate a prescription for Penicillin V for a child diagnosed with scarlet fever, as it is a common antibiotic treatment for streptococcal infections. Other medications listed, such as Acyclovir, are used for viral infections and would not be appropriate for treating scarlet fever.

Step-by-step explanation:

Scarlet fever is an illness resulting from a streptococcal infection that can occur in those who have strep throat. The most common treatment for scarlet fever is antibiotics, specifically penicillin or amoxicillin. For those allergic to penicillin, an alternative such as a macrolide might be prescribed.

Given the options presented, the nurse would most likely anticipate that Penicillin V would be prescribed for the treatment of scarlet fever in this child. Medications such as ibuprofen are used to reduce fever and discomfort, and while doxycycline and tetracyclines could be alternative treatments for streptococcal infections, they are usually not recommended for use in children due to the potential for side effects. Acyclovir, on the other hand, is not an appropriate treatment for scarlet fever as it is specifically used to treat viral infections such as herpes simplex and varicella-zoster, not bacterial infections like streptococcus.