Question

A pregnant woman in her second trimester arrives at the local health department, requesting a flu shot. The client states that she gets the flu vaccine every year and has never had an adverse reaction. What action should the nurse perform?

1 Do not administer the vaccine until checking with the physician.
2 Do not administer the vaccine due to pregnancy contraindication.
3 Administer the usual dose of the vaccine.
4 Administer half the usual dose of the vaccine.

Answer 1

The nurse should administer the usual dose of the vaccine as the flu vaccine is safe and recommended for pregnant women to prevent serious complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct action for the nurse is to administer the usual dose of the vaccine. Pregnant women are advised to receive the flu vaccine to prevent serious complications, which can be more severe during pregnancy. The flu vaccine is considered safe and beneficial throughout all stages of pregnancy, helping to protect both the mother and her baby from the flu.

It is especially important since pregnant women are at higher risk for complications from the flu, such as pneumonia, and their immune system is somewhat downregulated. Administering the flu vaccine can also provide antibodies that help protect the newborn baby after birth. Getting the flu shot during pregnancy can also reduce the risk of complications such as pneumonia. The client stated that she gets the flu vaccine every year and has never had an adverse reaction.