Nursing Management
1. Isolation of the patient is necessary (the room must be quiet, well ventilated, and must have subdued light)
2. Control the patient’s high temperature with warm or tepid sponges.
3. Skin care is utmost. The patient should have daily cleansing bed bath. The water should be comfortable warm.
4. Oral and nasal hygiene is a very important aspect of nursing care of patient with measles.
5. Care for the eyes is necessary. The patient is sensitive to light, therefore, position the patient where a direct glare of light is avoided. Keep eyes free of secretions.
6. Care of the ears is important also. Careful attention should be given to the ears. It is the responsibility of the nurse to be on the alert for any signs of early mastoid infection.
7. Daily elimination is important. This can be accompanied by mild laxative or as prescribed by the physician.
8. During the febrile stage, limit the diet to fruit juices, milk and water. If the patient is vomiting, give iced juices in small amounts and more frequently.
9. Patient’s position should be changed every three to four hours.
10. Penicillin, or other prescribed medication, is usually given in cases where there is a complication.
Preventive Measures
Immunization with:
- Anti-measles at the age of 9 months, as a single dose
- Mumps, measles, rubella (MMR) vaccine to be given at 15 months old, and the 2nd dose at 11 to 12 years.
- Measles vaccine should not be given to pregnant women, or to persons with active tuberculosis, leukemia, lymphoma, or depressed immune system.
