Question

The nurse is providing teaching for parents of a child diagnosed with fifth disease. Which statement by a parent indicates a need for further teaching?

1.) Our child should be feeling much better in 7-10 days
2.) Our child's condition is communicable until the rash disappears
3.) We will ensure our child covers the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
4.) We will give our child ibuprofen to treat the joint pain

Answer 1

The parent's statement that the child's fifth disease is communicable until the rash disappears shows a need for further teaching, as the disease is most contagious before the rash occurs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement by a parent indicating a need for further teaching about fifth disease is: "Our child's condition is communicable until the rash disappears." This is incorrect because fifth disease is actually most contagious before the rash appears, during the initial cold-like symptoms stage. Once the rash is present, the period of highest contagion has typically passed. Nonetheless, it is good practice for the child to cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of other infections.

Regarding treatment, using ibuprofen to treat joint pain is a common symptom relief method, and parents expecting the disease to resolve within 7-10 days is a reasonable expectation, although the rash may persist for several weeks, it is also consistent with the typical disease course.