Question

A nurse is administering a rubella immunization to a client who is 2 days postpartum. Which of the following statements indicates to the nurse that the client needs further instruction?

a) "I will avoid becoming pregnant for at least one month after receiving the vaccine."
b) "I understand that the rubella vaccine will not affect my breast milk."
c) "I can breastfeed my baby immediately after getting the shot."
d) "I should avoid close contact with infants for a few days after receiving the vaccine."

Answer 1

The statement that indicates the client needs further instruction is option c) "I can breastfeed my baby immediately after getting the shot."

Step-by-step explanation:

After receiving the rubella vaccine, it is recommended to wait for at least one month before becoming pregnant to ensure the vaccine has had enough time to create immunity. This is important because rubella during pregnancy can lead to serious complications, such as congenital rubella syndrome. Additionally, the rubella vaccine does not affect breast milk, so option b) is correct.

However, the client should not breastfeed immediately after getting the shot as the vaccine contains live attenuated viruses, which can potentially be transmitted to the infant through breast milk. Therefore, option c) is incorrect.

Options a) and d) are both correct statements. Avoiding close contact with infants for a few days after receiving the vaccine is recommended to minimize the risk of transmitting the live attenuated virus to them.