Question

A 1-year-old child receives the MMR vaccine. The next day, the child's parent calls the nurse to report that the child has a temperature of 103°F. What will the nurse do?

1) File an adverse event report with the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
2) Notify the child's provider that thrombocytopenia is likely to occur.
3) Reassure the parent that fever can occur with the MMR vaccine.
4) Tell the parent to take the child to the emergency department.

Answer 1

A nurse would recommend managing the fever with medications like acetaminophen and encourage monitoring the child's condition, advising medical attention if symptoms worsen or persist. Vaccines do not cause autism and monitoring vaccine titers can help maintain immunity.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a 1-year-old child develops a temperature of 103°F following an MMR vaccine, a nurse will typically advise a specific course of action. The first step is to reassure the parent that mild fever can be a common side effect after vaccination. However, because the child's fever is high, the nurse would recommend measures to manage the fever, such as giving the child age-appropriate doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen and ensuring proper hydration. If the child shows signs of distress, seems unusually lethargic or irritable, or if the fever persists for more than 24 hours or goes even higher, the nurse would advise the parent to seek immediate medical care, which might include taking the child to the emergency department. Remember, timely evaluation by a healthcare provider is crucial since high fever could indicate a more serious reaction or a different illness unrelated to the vaccine.

It is essential to debunk the misinformation about vaccines and autism, as numerous studies have conclusively shown that vaccines do not cause autism, and the original study suggesting a link has been discredited. Keeping track of vaccine titers and booster shots is an effective way to ensure continued immunity against diseases preventable by vaccines.