When taking the history of a child hospitalized with Reye's syndrome, the nurse should not be surprised that a week ago the child had recovered from which illness?

When taking the history of a child hospitalized with Reye's syndrome, the nurse should not be surprised that a week ago the child had recovered from which illness?

• A. Measles.
• B. Varicella.
• C. Meningitis.
• D. Hepatitis.

Answer: (B)

Reye’s syndrome develops when a child with a viral illness is given aspirin, leading to a dangerous combination of brain swelling (encephalopathy) and liver dysfunction. The illness typically occurs after the viral infection has begun to resolve, often about a week later, as aspirin use during the viral period contributes to the development of this syndrome. Varicella (chickenpox) is the classic antecedent because historically many children received fever-reducing aspirin during that illness, which markedly increased the risk of Reye’s. So, a week after recovering from varicella fits the pattern of how Reye’s syndrome can present, whereas the other illnesses listed are not the classic antecedent associated with aspirin-related Reye’s.

Reye’s syndrome develops when a child with a viral illness is given aspirin, leading to a dangerous combination of brain swelling (encephalopathy) and liver dysfunction. The illness typically occurs after the viral infection has begun to resolve, often about a week later, as aspirin use during the viral period contributes to the development of this syndrome. Varicella (chickenpox) is the classic antecedent because historically many children received fever-reducing aspirin during that illness, which markedly increased the risk of Reye’s. So, a week after recovering from varicella fits the pattern of how Reye’s syndrome can present, whereas the other illnesses listed are not the classic antecedent associated with aspirin-related Reye’s.