Question

A school-aged child is given a varicella zoster immune globulin

injection. The practical nurse realizes this client has which chronic illness?

Answer 1

AI-generated answer

The practical nurse realizes that the school-aged child has a chronic illness based on the fact that they were given a varicella zoster immune globulin injection. This injection is typically given to individuals who have been exposed to the varicella zoster virus and are at risk of developing chickenpox or shingles. The varicella zoster virus can cause two primary illnesses: chickenpox and shingles.

Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection that causes an itchy rash and can lead to complications in individuals with weakened immune systems or underlying chronic illnesses. Therefore, a child who receives a varicella zoster immune globulin injection may have a chronic illness that puts them at risk of developing severe symptoms if they were to contract chickenpox.

Shingles, on the other hand, is a painful rash caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus. Shingles typically occurs in individuals who have had chickenpox in the past, as the virus remains dormant in the body. The risk of developing shingles increases with age and in individuals with weakened immune systems or underlying chronic illnesses.

Based on this information, it is not possible to determine the specific chronic illness the child has without further context or information. However, it is clear that the child's chronic illness puts them at risk for severe symptoms if they were to contract chickenpox or experience a reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, leading to shingles.

In summary, the practical nurse realizes that the school-aged child has a chronic illness based on the administration of a varicella zoster immune globulin injection, which is given to individuals at risk of developing severe symptoms from the varicella zoster virus. The specific chronic illness cannot be determined without additional information.

Answer 2

The child who received a varicella zoster immune globulin injection likely has a chronic illness leading to immunosuppression, putting them at higher risk for severe complications from varicella.

Step-by-step explanation:

The administration of varicella zoster immune globulin suggests that the school-aged child has a chronic illness that puts them at risk for severe complications from varicella, such as immunosuppression. Immune globulin is given to provide passive immunity to those who have not yet had the disease or vaccination and are at high risk of severe infection due to their compromised immune system.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which causes chickenpox and shingles, can remain latent in nerve cells for years. In those with a healthy immune system, chickenpox is a common, usually mild childhood disease, but in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or who are receiving immunosuppressive therapies, it can lead to severe complications.

The immune globulin injection contains antibodies that help fight off infection by providing immediate but temporary immunity. This is important for at-risk populations, including those with chronic illnesses that weaken the immune system, who may not be able to produce a strong enough immune response on their own.