Question

A high school student returns to school following a 3-week absence due to mononucleosis. The school nurse knows it will be important for the client: A. To drink additional fluids throughout the day B. To avoid contact sports for 1-2 months C. To have a snack twice a day to prevent hypoglycemia D. To continue antibiotic therapy for 6 months

Short answer

Answer: B. Prevent the student from engaging in contact sports for 1-2 months.

Step-by-step solution

Understand mononucleosis

Mononucleosis, also known as "mono," is an infectious viral illness that primarily affects teenagers and young adults. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, swollen glands and extreme fatigue. The illness is usually not serious, but it can cause complications with other organs like the liver and spleen. In severe cases, the spleen can become enlarged and rupture, posing serious health risks.

Evaluate the given options

Now that we have a basic understanding of mononucleosis, we can evaluate each of the given options: A. Increased fluid intake may help with overall hydration but is not specifically related to mononucleosis recovery. B. This option is relevant because contact sports can lead to injuries that may cause an enlarged spleen to rupture. It is usually recommended that individuals who have had mononucleosis avoid contact sports for a few weeks to a few months, depending on their recovery. C. Hypoglycemia is not a common concern or complication in mononucleosis patients; thus, this option is not relevant. D. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses like mononucleosis, so continuing antibiotic therapy is not a relevant recommendation for this situation.

Choose the correct answer

Comparing the given options with the symptoms and recommendations for mononucleosis recovery, we can conclude that the most important action for the school nurse to take with the student is: B. To avoid contact sports for 1-2 months