Pertussis
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
Infectious Diseasehigh priorityneeds review
Pertussis
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Bordetella pertussis infection spread by respiratory droplets.
- Toxin-mediated respiratory illness causes paroxysmal cough and apnea risk in infants.
Medications
| Class | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Antibiotics by class | Macrolide therapy/prophylaxis may be used per public health guidance. |
Nursing actions
- Use droplet precautions.
- Assess cough spells, apnea, cyanosis, feeding difficulty, and dehydration.
- Promote immunization and report/follow public health requirements.
Complications
- Apnea
- Pneumonia
- Seizures
- Dehydration
NCLEX cues
- Whooping cough, post-tussive vomiting.
- Infants can have apnea without classic whoop.
Memory hooks
- Pertussis cough travels by droplets.
Labs / Diagnostics
- Trend assessment findings and ordered diagnostics; verify exact values with school source material.
Review notes
- Session-derived study seed. Verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy before relying on details.