Medical Surgical HESI 2023 Related

Review Medical Surgical HESI 2023 related questions and content

The mother of a child who has been diagnosed with varicella asks the nurse when the child can return to school. When is the child no longer contagious?

  • A. When the fever dissipates
  • B. After the incubation period
  • C. When the lesions have healed
  • D. When the lesions are crusted over
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'When the lesions are crusted over.' Varicella is no longer contagious once the lesions are dry and crusted. This stage indicates that the active viral shedding has significantly decreased, reducing the risk of transmission. Choice A, 'When the fever dissipates,' is incorrect because the presence of fever does not necessarily correlate with the contagiousness of varicella. Choice B, 'After the incubation period,' is incorrect as the incubation period occurs before the onset of symptoms and is not relevant to determining contagiousness. Choice C, 'When the lesions have healed,' is incorrect as healed lesions can still be contagious if they are not crusted over.