Question

A nurse in a provider's office is caring for a school age child who has varicella. The parent asks the nurse when their child will no longer be contagious. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

A) After 48 hours of antiviral treatment
B) When all lesions have crusted over
C) Once fever resolves
D) After 24 hours of antibiotic therapy

Answer 1

The nurse should inform the parent that their child will no longer be contagious when all lesions have crusted over.

Step-by-step explanation:

Chickenpox is a contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The nurse should inform the parent that their child will no longer be contagious when all lesions have crusted over. This is because chickenpox is infectious from about 2 days before the outbreak of the rash until all the lesions have scabbed over. Therefore, it is important to wait until all the lesions have crusted over before determining that the child is no longer contagious.