When obtaining a health history for suspected acute rheumatic fever, what question should the nurse ask?

In the context of acute rheumatic fever, a critical component to consider is the connection to prior infections, specifically group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections. A key symptom preceding acute rheumatic fever is a sore throat, which may indicate a streptococcal infection. By inquiring about recent episodes of sore throat, the nurse is gathering essential information that can help assess the likelihood of a streptococcal infection having occurred, which is a precursor to acute rheumatic fever.

A history of sore throat is significant because acute rheumatic fever often develops one to three weeks after a streptococcal throat infection, even if the throat infection was mild or asymptomatic. Thus, this question directly addresses a potential causal factor for the condition being investigated.

Additionally, while asking about fever, joint pain, or vaccination status may yield relevant information, they do not pinpoint the relationship between streptococcal infections and the development of acute rheumatic fever as effectively as the question about sore throat does. Therefore, focusing on recent throat infections allows for a more directed assessment of risk related to acute rheumatic fever.