Which is an important nursing consideration when caring for a child with impetigo

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Your Care Instructions
How can you care for your child at home?
When should you call for help?
Where can you learn more?
Which nursing consideration is important when caring for a child with impetigo?
What precautions are used for impetigo?
How is impetigo managed in the pediatric patient?
How can impetigo be prevented in children?

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To calculate the child's weight in kilograms, the weight in pounds is divided by 2.2. That number is then multiplied by 2 to get the amount expected for a 1-hour period: 55/2.2 = 25 kg; 25 kg × 2 mL = 50 mL/hr.

The primary emphasis during the emergent phase is the treatment of burn shock and the management of pulmonary status. Monitoring vital signs, output, fluid infusion, and respiratory parameters are ongoing activities in the hours immediately after injury. Intravenous infusion is begun immediately and is regulated to maintain a urinary output of at least 1 to 2 mL/kg in children weighing less than 30 kg (66 pounds).

Your Care Instructions

Impetigo (say "im-puh-TY-go") is a skin infection caused by bacteria. It causes blisters that break and become oozing, yellow, crusty sores.

Impetigo can be anywhere on the body. Scratching the sores may spread the infection to other parts of the body. Children can also spread it to others through close contact or when they share towels, clothing, and other items.

Prescription antibiotic ointment, pills, or liquid can usually cure impetigo. (After a day of antibiotics, the infection should not spread.)

Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.

How can you care for your child at home?

Apply antibiotic ointment exactly as instructed.
If the doctor prescribed antibiotic pills or liquid for your child, give them as directed. Do not stop using them just because your child feels better. Your child needs to take the full course of antibiotics.
Gently wash the sores with soap and water each day. If crusts form, your child's doctor may advise you to soften or remove the crusts. Do this by soaking them in warm water and patting them dry. This can help the cream or ointment work better.
After you touch the area, wash your hands with soap and water. Or you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Trim your child's fingernails short to reduce scratching. Scratching can spread the infection.
Do not let your child share towels, sheets, or clothes with family members or other kids at school until the infection is gone.
Wash anything that may have touched the infected area.
A child can usually return to school or daycare after 24 hours of treatment.

When should you call for help?

Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:

Your child has signs of a worse infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, and redness.
- Red streaks leading from the affected area.
- Pus draining from the area.
- A fever.
Impetigo gets worse or spreads to other areas.
Your child does not get better as expected.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter N562 in the search box to learn more about "Impetigo in Children: Care Instructions".

Which nursing consideration is important when caring for a child with impetigo?

Children with impetigo should maintain good personal hygiene and avoid other children during the active outbreak. It is important to wash hands, linens, clothes and affected areas that may have come into contact with infected fluids. Sores can be covered with a bandage to help prevent spread by contact.

What precautions are used for impetigo?

The spread of impetigo can be prevented by covering lesions, treating with antibiotics, and practicing good face, body, and hand hygiene. Clothing, linens, and towels used by an infected person should be washed every day and not shared with others in the household.

How is impetigo managed in the pediatric patient?

Topical antibiotics alone or in conjunction with systemic antibiotics are used to treat impetigo. Antibiotic coverage should cover both S aureus and S pyogenes (i.e. GABHS). While untreated impetigo is often self-limiting, antibiotics decrease the duration of illness and spread of lesions.

How can impetigo be prevented in children?

Keeping skin clean can help prevent impetigo. Kids should wash their hands well and often and take baths or showers regularly. Pay special attention to skin injuries (cuts, scrapes, bug bites, etc.), areas of eczema, and rashes such as poison ivy. Keep these areas clean and covered.