Final answer:
The nurse should reassure the mother that fever and rash are common reactions to the measles vaccine due to the immune response it stimulates. She should be educated on managing side effects and informed about the safety and importance of the MMR vaccine in preventing the resurgence of measles.
Step-by-step explanation:
In response to the mother's concern about her baby developing a fever and rash after receiving the measles vaccination, it is important for the advanced practice nurse to reassure her that these symptoms are a normal part of the body's immune response to the vaccine. The nurse should explain that the vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against the measles virus, which can sometimes lead to mild symptoms such as fever and rash.
As for parent/patient teaching, the nurse should provide detailed information on what to expect post-vaccination, including common side effects and how to manage them. It is also crucial to emphasize the importance and safety of vaccines, informing the mother that despite misconceptions, there is robust scientific evidence disproving any link between the MMR vaccine and autism. The mother should be reminded that vaccines are a powerful tool for preventing serious diseases like measles, which has seen a resurgence largely due to declines in vaccination rates.
The nurse can mention that prior to the availability of the measles vaccine, significant outbreaks caused numerous deaths, and that the disease was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000 due to widespread vaccination. However, recent outbreaks, such as the one originating in California in 2014, have shown that measles remains a threat, especially in populations with lower vaccination rates.