6-year-old child.

Vomited 3 times in the past 24 hr. Irritable behavior for the past 24 hr. The respiratory infection started 3 days ago.

Brudzinski's and Kernig's signs are positive.

Vital Signs.

Respiratory rate 28/min.

Pulse rate 120/min.

BP 108/64 mm Hg. Pain level of 6 on a scale from 0 to 10. Medication Administration Record.

Vancomycin 300 mg IV q 6 hr following blood cultures.

Acetaminophen 240 mg PO q 6 hr PRN fever.

A nurse is planning care for a child during admission to the facility.

Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Choice A rationale:

The prescription for Levothyroxine 75 mcg PO daily at 0600 does not require clarification. It provides clear instructions for the medication, including the drug name, dosage, route, and timing. The administration time (0600) is specific, allowing the nurse to administer the medication accurately.

Choice B rationale:

The prescription for Digoxin 250 PO daily contains an error. The dosage (250) is missing the unit of measurement (e.g., mcg or mg). Without the unit, it is impossible to accurately administer the medication. This prescription needs clarification from the prescriber to ensure safe and precise administration.

Choice C rationale:

The prescription for Acetaminophen 650 mg PO Q6 hours does not require clarification. It provides clear instructions for the medication, including the drug name, dosage (650 mg), route (PO), and frequency (every 6 hours). The dosing interval is appropriate and within the normal range for acetaminophen administration.

Choice D rationale:

The prescription for Ceftriaxone 1 g IV Q 24 hours does not require clarification. It provides clear instructions for the medication, including the drug name, dosage (1 g), route (IV), and frequency (every 24 hours). The dosing interval is appropriate for this antibiotic and allows for effective treatment of infections.

The correct answer is choice C: Initiate continuous cardiac monitoring.

Choice A rationale:

Implementing fluid restrictions is not recommended for a child with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is characterized by severe dehydration due to osmotic diuresis, and fluid replacement is a critical component of treatment to restore hydration and circulatory volume.

Choice B rationale:

Monitoring vital signs every 8 hours is not sufficient for a child with DKA. DKA is an acute, life-threatening condition that requires close monitoring of vital signs to detect changes in the patient’s condition promptly. Vital signs should be monitored more frequently, typically every 1 to 2 hours, depending on the severity of the DKA and institutional protocols.

Choice C rationale:

Continuous cardiac monitoring is recommended for a child with DKA. DKA can lead to serious electrolyte imbalances, such as hypokalemia, which can cause cardiac arrhythmias. Continuous cardiac monitoring allows for the early detection and treatment of these potential complications.

Choice D rationale:

Administering subcutaneous insulin 30 minutes before meals is not appropriate for the acute management of DKA. In DKA, insulin is typically administered intravenously to rapidly decrease blood glucose levels and correct metabolic acidosis. Subcutaneous insulin is not used until the patient is stable and able to eat.