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:

Preparing to assist with intubation is the appropriate action for a nurse caring for a child with suspected epiglottitis. Epiglottitis is a medical emergency where the airway can become severely compromised due to inflammation of the epiglottis. Intubation ensures a secure airway, allowing the child to breathe and preventing respiratory distress.

Choice B rationale:

Preparing a cool mist tent is not the priority in suspected epiglottitis. While humidified air can provide comfort for respiratory distress, it does not address the potential for airway obstruction. Intubation takes precedence in this critical situation.

Choice C rationale:

Suctioning the child's oropharynx may worsen the condition in suspected epiglottitis. Suctioning can stimulate the epiglottis, triggering a spasm and further obstructing the airway. Intubation is the primary intervention to secure the airway safely.

Choice D rationale:

Obtaining a throat culture is not the immediate action in suspected epiglottitis. While a throat culture may confirm the diagnosis, the priority is securing the airway to prevent respiratory distress and hypoxia.

B) Speak in a neutral tone when addressing the client.

When creating a plan of care for a client with paranoid personality disorder who refuses to take their medication, it's essential to approach the client in a way that fosters trust and reduces anxiety. Speaking in a neutral, non-confrontational, and non-threatening tone can help build rapport and facilitate communication with the client.

The other options are not appropriate interventions:

A) Mixing medication with the client's food without their consent can be seen as a breach of trust and may worsen the client's paranoia.

C) Limiting the client's opportunities to socialize with others can lead to increased isolation and potentially exacerbate the client's paranoid tendencies.

D) Rotating staff members caring for the client may also contribute to feelings of mistrust and may not be conducive to establishing a therapeutic nurse-client relationship. Consistency in care can be more helpful for individuals with paranoid personality disorder.