A 6-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with suspected bacterial meningitis. What is the nursing priority in the care of this child? Select all that apply.

Ensure the child is placed on droplet precautions.

Encouraging the child to drink plenty of fluids.

Administering intravenous antibiotics as prescribed.

Providing comfort measures such as dimming the lights.

Prepare the child for a CT scan of the head.

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : A,C,D

A. Ensure the child is placed on droplet precautions is the priority because bacterial meningitis is highly contagious. Droplet precautions help prevent the spread of the infection to others in the hospital.

B. Encouraging the child to drink plenty of fluids is not the priority in the acute phase of meningitis, as increased fluid intake may not be appropriate, especially if there is elevated intracranial pressure or vomiting. Fluid management should be carefully monitored by the healthcare team.

C. Administering intravenous antibiotics is crucial because bacterial meningitis requires prompt treatment with antibiotics to prevent complications and reduce mortality.

D. Providing comfort measures such as dimming the lights is important because the child may be sensitive to light, noise, and stimuli. A calm, quiet environment can help reduce discomfort and manage symptoms like headache and photophobia.

E. Preparing the child for a CT scan of the head might be indicated if there are signs of increased intracranial pressure, but it is not the immediate priority. Initial treatment with antibiotics and managing the environment are higher priorities.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Urine specific gravity 1.015 is correct. A specific gravity of 1.015 indicates good hydration status and that the child is effectively retaining fluids after oral rehydration therapy. Normal urine specific gravity ranges from 1.010 to 1.020.

B. Respiratory rate 24/min is not directly related to hydration status and does not necessarily indicate that rehydration therapy has been effective. It is a normal rate for a 3-year-old child, but respiratory rate alone isn't an indicator of fluid balance.

C. Heart rate 130/min is elevated for a 3-year-old child and may indicate dehydration or other stressors, suggesting that oral rehydration therapy has not been completely effective. A normal heart rate for this age is typically 80-120 beats per minute.

D. Capillary refill greater than 3 seconds is a sign of dehydration and poor perfusion, indicating that the oral rehydration therapy has not been effective in restoring hydration. Normal capillary refill time is less than 2 seconds.

A. An elevated red blood cell count B. A decreased white cell count C. An elevated white blood cell count D. A normal glucose

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. An elevated red blood cell count is not a typical finding in bacterial meningitis. An increase in red blood cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is more indicative of a traumatic lumbar puncture or hemorrhage.

B. A decreased white cell count would not be expected in bacterial meningitis. Bacterial infections typically lead to an increase in white blood cell count as part of the immune response to fight the infection.

C. An elevated white blood cell count is a hallmark of bacterial meningitis. This finding indicates an immune response in the CSF to the presence of bacteria. The cells are primarily neutrophils in bacterial infections.

D. A normal glucose level is not expected in bacterial meningitis. Glucose is typically decreased due to the consumption of glucose by bacteria and white blood cells in the CSF.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A 6-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with suspected bacterial meningitis. What is the nursing priority in the care of this child? Select all that apply.

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a 3-year-old child who was admitted with acute diarrhea and dehydration. Which of the following findings indicates that oral rehydration therapy has been effective?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A lumbar puncture is done on an infant suspected to have meningitis. If the infant has bacterial meningitis, the nurse would expect the cerebral spinal fluid to show what result?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is creating a plan of care for a pediatric client who has been diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma. Which of the following factors should the nurse consider as the highest priority when planning treatment interventions?

A nurse is caring for a child who has been diagnosed with malignant neuroblastoma. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Which type of seizure is characterized by a sudden loss of muscle tone, leading to the person collapsing or falling down?

The nurse is providing discharge teaching to the parents of a toddler who experienced a febrile seizure. The nurse knows that the parents understand the teaching when the parents make which statement(s)? (Select All that Apply.)

During an episode of status epilepticus of a hospitalized child, what is the priority intervention?

A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old pediatric client who has an inguinal hernia. Which of the following statements should the nurse make when the parents ask for clarification about the inguinal hernia?

A nurse is caring for a child who has increasing manifestations of fever, headache, stiff neck, and rash. Which of the following diagnostic tests should the nurse expect the health care provider to order?

The nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a school-aged child newly diagnosed with Crohn's disease about dietary measures to implement during an exacerbation. Which statement made by the parents indicates a need for further instruction?