Question

The mother of a preschooler with spina bifida tells the nurse that her daughter sneezes and gets a rash when playing with brightly colored balloons and that recently she had an allergic reaction after eating kiwifruit and bananas. The nurse would suspect that the child may have an allergy to which of the following?

Answer 1

The symptoms described by the mother—a sneezy reaction to balloons and a rash, plus an allergic reaction to kiwifruit and bananas—suggest a latex-fruit syndrome, where an allergy to latex might cross-react with certain fruits.

Step-by-step explanation:

The mother mentions her daughter sneezes and gets a rash when playing with brightly colored balloons, and has had an allergic reaction after eating kiwifruit and bananas. These symptoms suggest a possible latex-fruit syndrome, as bright balloons are often made from latex, and cross-reactivity can occur with certain foods like kiwi and bananas in individuals sensitized to latex. Further, contact dermatitis is mentioned as a reaction to substances like latex, and allergic reactions to foods can also include skin rashes, diarrhea, and potentially severe reactions such as anaphylaxis. It is essential that the nurse considers these factors to ascertain that the child may have a latex allergy, as latex is a common allergen that can cause such symptoms.