Question

Which information would a nurse provide regarding varicella?

a. Communicable until all vesicles are dry.
b. Communicable even when dry scabs remain.
c. No longer communicable after the fever has subsided.
d. Not communicable while vesicles are surrounded by red areolas.

Answer 1

A nurse would explain that individuals with varicella, or chickenpox, are communicable until all vesicles are dry and have formed scabs. They are not contagious when only dry scabs are present, nor are they non-communicable solely based on the presence of red areolas or absence of fever.

Step-by-step explanation:

Regarding varicella, which is also known as chickenpox, a nurse would provide information that individuals with the disease are communicable until all vesicles are dry. Varicella is highly contagious from approximately 2 days before the rash appears until all blisters have formed scabs. Chickenpox lesions appear as a pustular rash that eventually bursts and forms crusty scabs.

Patients are contagious until these lesions have fully scabbed over, not when dry scabs remain, or if vesicles are surrounded by red areolas. Additionally, even after recovery from chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus can remain dormant in nerve cells for years and reactivate later in life as shingles, which is also transmissible and can cause chickenpox in those who have not been previously exposed or vaccinated.