NCLEX-PN

●​ Preventing complications. ●​ Safeguarding others from contracting the client's infectious condition.

●​ Monitoring the client's recovery from the infection. ●​ Providing follow-up care in the community as needed. ●​ Educating the client and their family.

Some of the assessments and reassessments of the client include identifying the local and systemic symptoms of infectious diseases, such as inflammation and an elevated temperature, respectively. These assessments also involve the evaluation of laboratory data throughout the course of treatment, such as the client's erythrocyte sedimentation rate, white blood cell count, plasma viscosity, and levels of C reactive protein, as discussed in-depth in "Applying Knowledge of Pathophysiology to Monitor for Complications: Infection." Certain infectious diseases can be treated using broad-spectrum antibiotics, while others can only be managed symptomatically because the responsible microorganism is not susceptible to antimicrobial drugs . For instance, symptomatic relief measures include applying Calamine lotion to chickenpox lesions, administering antipyretic medications like Tylenol to reduce high fever in cases of infectious diseases such as Rubella, and providing analgesic medications for pain associated with the infection. The table below provides information on some of the most common infectious diseases, their signs, and symptoms beyond the typical feelings of discomfort, fever, and chills, as well as the standard treatments. It also outlines essential transmission precautions, including those for contact, droplet, and airborne transmission.

Infectious Disease

Signs and Symptoms

Treatments

Respiratory indications like difficulty breathing ( dyspnea ), coughing, and a painful throat. Others include cardiac arrhythmias, myocarditis, and a pseudomembrane on the nasal passages, tonsils, and pharynx. Skin rash, painful throat, mouth sores, fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache, chest discomfort, jaundice, spleen enlargement, and sensitivity to light. Symptoms involve sensitivity to light, coughing, inflammation of the eye's lining, small white spots inside the mouth, a rash consisting of small red spots, and skin peeling.

●​ Relieving the symptoms affecting the respiratory and cardiovascular systems ●​ Employing mechanical ventilation when necessary. ●​ Correcting respiratory paralysis with diphtheria toxin Alleviating symptoms through the use of pain-relieving medications and mouth rinses

Diphtheria

Cytomegalovirus infections

Providing support and relief from symptoms with fever-reducing drugs, rest, creating a dark environment to reduce light sensitivity, and using cool mist for cough

Measles (Rubeola)

Mumps

Indications include headache, anorexia,

Offering support and relief from symptoms

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