A child presents to the clinic. Upon questioning, child states he saw a tick on his arm and removed it but he believes he was bit. Upon assessment, the RN notes with a large circular red rash expanding at the tick bite site (target-like). The nurse recognizes this likely as:

A. Erythema migrans: A target-like, expanding circular rash following a tick bite is characteristic of erythema migrans, the hallmark early sign of Lyme disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. This rash typically expands over days and may be accompanied by mild systemic symptoms, making early recognition essential for prompt antibiotic treatment. B. Contact dermatitis: Contact dermatitis usually presents as a localized, itchy rash related to exposure to an irritant or allergen. It does not typically form a large expanding “bullseye” lesion and is not associated with tick bites or systemic infection. C. Atopic dermatitis: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by dry, itchy, and scaly patches, often in flexural areas. It is not associated with acute onset following a tick bite or with a target-like expanding rash. D. Viral exanthem related rash: Viral exanthems are usually diffuse, generalized rashes associated with systemic viral symptoms such as fever. They do not present as a localized, expanding bullseye lesion at the site of a tick bite, making this diagnosis unlikely.