Key Concepts
Overview
Pertussis ties high-yield nursing judgment to airway, perfusion, infection control, and safe medication administration. Bordetella pertussis toxin damages ciliated epithelium producing a catarrhal phase (URI-like), paroxysmal phase with staccato cough bursts and inspiratory whoop (may be absent in adults/immunized), and prolonged convalescent cough. Infants may present with apnea, cyanosis, or bradycardia without classic whoop—high index of suspicion. Droplet precautions plus standard for hospitalized patients; some institutions use droplet for 5 days after starting effective macrolide or until criteria met—follow facility policy. Azithromycin themes for treatment and post-exposure prophylaxis of close contacts appear frequently. Vaccination with DTaP/Tdap remains cornerstone prevention; educate on maternal Tdap timing in pregnancy per local guidelines. Cross-link US RN lessons hub · Canada RN lessons hub and related LESSON cards where the stem crosses systems. Pathophysiology in plain language. Think in layers: cells → organs → whole-person compensation. When a stem describes acute change (fever, pain, new neuro deficit, hypoxia, hypotension), ask what system is failing to compensate and what reversible threat is most time-sensitive. Nurses are the continuity layer: you trend objective data, reconcile subjective reports,...