What is an appropriate action for a nurse to take when caring for a patient in labor with an active varicella zoster infection?

Providing varicella-zoster immune globulin (VZIG) to the newborn shortly after birth is an appropriate action for a nurse caring for a patient with an active varicella zoster infection during labor. This is crucial because newborns are highly vulnerable to varicella if the mother has an active infection at the time of delivery. VZIG is a protective measure designed to decrease the risk of severe varicella disease in the newborn by providing passive immunity.

If the mother is infected with varicella around the time of delivery, there is a significant risk that the newborn could contract the virus, which can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, or even death. Administering VZIG can help prevent these severe effects and is recommended for infants born to mothers with active varicella.

Other options, while they may seem related, do not provide effective management of the situation. For instance, administering aspirin is contraindicated in children due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome, and fever in a mother should be managed with appropriate antipyretics like acetaminophen instead. Isolating the patient may not be practically feasible or necessary as a blanket action; instead, standard infection control precautions should be