A nurse is caring for an antepartum client whose laboratory findings indicate a negative rubella titer. Which of the following is the correct interpretation of this data?
A.
The client requires a rubella vaccination at this time.
B.
The client is not experiencing a rubella infection at this time.
C.
The client requires a rubella immunization following delivery.
D.
The client is immune to the rubella virus.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is C. The client requires a rubella immunization following delivery.
Explanation:
Rubella, also known as German measles, is a viral infection that can be particularly dangerous to a developing fetus if contracted during pregnancy. To prevent this, it is crucial for pregnant women to have immunity to rubella. Immunity is typically confirmed through a blood test that measures rubella titers.
A negative rubella titer means that the client does not have detectable levels of antibodies against the rubella virus in their blood. In other words, the client is not currently immune to rubella. This could be because the client has never been vaccinated against rubella or has not had a past rubella infection that would confer immunity.
Here’s what each option means:
- A. The client requires a rubella vaccination at this time.: This option is incorrect because rubella vaccination is not administered during pregnancy due to the risk of live vaccines affecting the fetus. Instead, vaccination is recommended post-delivery.
- B. The client is not experiencing a rubella infection at this time.: While it is true that a negative titer indicates the client does not have current immunity, it does not specifically indicate whether the client is actively infected with rubella or not. A negative titer simply means the client lacks immunity.
- C. The client requires a rubella immunization following delivery.: This is the correct interpretation. Since the client is not immune, they should receive the rubella vaccination after delivery. This timing avoids any potential risk to the fetus while ensuring that the client develops immunity to rubella.
- D. The client is immune to the rubella virus.: This option is incorrect because a negative titer indicates a lack of immunity, not the presence of it.
Therefore, the appropriate action based on a negative rubella titer is to administer the rubella vaccine after the client has delivered, ensuring that they are protected from future rubella infections.