Question

A nurse in a community health clinic is preparing to administer the varicella vaccine to a young adult female client who has not previously had chickenpox or its vaccine. The nurse should withhold the vaccine and collect additional data when the client makes which of the following statements?

A. "I had chickenpox when I was a child."
B. "I am currently pregnant."
C. "I received the flu vaccine last week."
D. "I have a mild cold right now."

Answer 1

The nurse should withhold the varicella vaccine and collect additional information if the client is pregnant. Pregnancy is a contraindication for the live varicella vaccine. The safety of the vaccine is paramount, and its administration should consider the current health status and contraindications.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should collect additional data and consider withholding the varicella vaccine when the client states, "I am currently pregnant." Pregnancy is a contraindication for the live varicella vaccine as it may potentially cause harm to the fetus. If the client had chickenpox as a child, there's no need for the vaccine. Receiving a flu vaccine the previous week is not a contraindication, and a mild cold is generally not a reason to defer vaccination. However, the nurse needs to get a comprehensive understanding of the client's health status before administering the vaccine due to the potentially severe complications of chickenpox in adults, such as pneumonia and birth defects if contracted during pregnancy.

Additionally, the nurse should be aware that a vaccine for chickenpox is effective in preventing chickenpox, and there is a separate vaccine for shingles prevention in older adults. These vaccines are important for controlling outbreaks and protecting individuals, particularly those with weakened immune systems or pregnant women.