After administering varicella vaccine to a five-year-old child, which instruction should the nurse provide the child's parent?

Choice A reason: Applying a cool pack to the injection site is a simple and effective way to reduce discomfort after receiving the varicella vaccine. The cool pack can help numb the pain, decrease swelling, and prevent bruising. The nurse should instruct the parent to apply the cool pack for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, several times a day, as needed. Choice B reason: Any level of fever is not serious and does not need to be reported right away. Fever is a common side effect of the varicella vaccine and usually lasts for 1 to 2 days. Fever is a sign that the body is developing immunity against the chickenpox virus. The nurse should instruct the parent to monitor the child's temperature and give them acetaminophen or ibuprofen to lower the fever, if necessary. The nurse should also advise the parent to call the health care provider if the fever is higher than 102°F (38.9°C) or lasts longer than 3 days. Choice C reason: Chewable children's aspirin will not help prevent inflammation and may cause serious harm. Aspirin is not recommended for children under 18 years of age who have viral infections, such as chickenpox, because it can increase the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal condition that affects the brain and liver. The nurse should instruct the parent to avoid giving the child aspirin or any products that contain aspirin, such as bismuth subsalicylate. Choice D reason: Keeping the child home from daycare for the next two days is not necessary and may be inconvenient. The varicella vaccine is very effective at preventing chickenpox and does not pose a risk of spreading the virus to others. The nurse should instruct the parent to resume the child's normal activities, unless they have other symptoms that warrant staying home, such as rash, vomiting, or diarrhea.