The nurse notes bilateral enlargement of the parotid glands. Which condition does the nurse suspect?

Paramyxovirus infection causes parotitis with painful glandular swelling, fever, and malaise. Viral replication in salivary epithelium leads to inflammation, edema, and ductal obstruction. Complications include orchitis, meningitis, and pancreatitis. Transmission occurs via respiratory droplets. Rationale: A. Bell’s palsy is an acute peripheral facial nerve paralysis affecting cranial nerve VII, leading to unilateral facial weakness. It does not involve salivary gland enlargement. Absence of parotid swelling and presence of facial paralysis distinguish it from infectious parotitis. B. Goiter refers to enlargement of the thyroid gland, typically presenting as anterior neck swelling. It is associated with iodine imbalance or thyroid dysfunction. The thyroid location differs anatomically from the parotid glands, and neck mass presentation excludes salivary gland involvement. C. Graves disease is an autoimmune hyperthyroid condition characterized by diffuse thyroid enlargement, ophthalmopathy, and hypermetabolic symptoms. It does not cause parotid gland swelling. The presence of thyrotoxicosis and exophthalmos differentiates it from viral parotitis. D. Mumps is a viral infection causing bilateral painful swelling of the parotid glands due to inflammation and edema. It commonly presents with fever and malaise. The hallmark bilateral swelling and parotitis directly indicate this condition. E. Pancreatitis involves inflammation of the pancreas, presenting with epigastric pain and elevated pancreatic enzymes. Although mumps can cause pancreatitis as a complication, it does not cause parotid enlargement independently. Abdominal pain and enzyme elevation are primary findings.