The clinic nurse explains to Margaret, a newly diagnosed pregnant woman at 10 weeks' gestation, that her rubella titer indicates that she is not immune. Margaret should be advised to (select all that apply):

Question

a. Avoid contact with all children
b. Be retested in 3 months
c. Receive the rubella vaccine postpartum
d. Report signs or symptoms of fever, runny nose, and generalized red rash to the health-care provider

Answer 1

ANS: c, d
Testing for rubella (German measles) is not necessary as titers are reliable indicators of immunity. Rubella (German measles) is one of the most commonly recognized viral infections known to cause congenital problems. If a woman contracts rubella during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, the fetus has a 90% chance of being adversely affected. A maternity patient who is not immune to rubella should be offered the rubella immunization following childbirth, ideally prior to hospital discharge. The patient should report signs or symptoms of rubella during pregnancy to her health-care provider. It is not realistic for a woman to avoid contact with all children.