A child has come into the emergency department after a confirmed bite from a brown recluse. Which action can the nurse take to alleviate pain?

The correct answer is choice D. Give small amounts of favorite fluids frequently to prevent dehydration.

Choice A rationale:

Having the child wear heavy clothing to prevent chilling is not an appropriate nursing intervention for an infant with an elevated temperature. Infants are more susceptible to temperature regulation issues, and heavy clothing could exacerbate their discomfort and potentially raise their body temperature further.

Choice B rationale:

Giving tepid water baths to reduce fever is not recommended for fever management in infants. Tepid baths might cause discomfort and shivering, which could lead to increased heat production and potential elevation of body temperature.

Choice C rationale:

Encouraging food intake to maintain caloric needs is important, but it might not be well-tolerated by an infant with an elevated temperature and upper respiratory tract infection. Infants often have reduced appetite during illness.

Choice D rationale:

Giving small amounts of favorite fluids frequently to prevent dehydration is an appropriate nursing intervention. Fever and elevated temperature can lead to increased fluid loss through sweating and increased respiratory rate. Offering small, frequent fluid intake helps maintain hydration and prevent dehydration. Using favorite fluids can also encourage the child to drink more.

The correct answer is choice C. Asthma.

Choice A rationale:

A foreign body in the trachea can cause acute respiratory distress and a sudden cough, but it is unlikely to cause chronic nonproductive cough and diffuse wheezing during the expiratory phase of respiration. The symptoms in the scenario are more suggestive of a chronic condition.

Choice B rationale:

Bronchiolitis primarily affects infants and young children, causing symptoms such as fever, rhinorrhea, and wheezing. While wheezing can be present, the diffuse wheezing during the expiratory phase described in the scenario is more characteristic of asthma.

Choice C rationale:

Asthma is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways, leading to episodes of bronchoconstriction and increased airway reactivity. The chronic, nonproductive cough and diffuse wheezing during the expiratory phase are classic signs of asthma. Expiratory phase wheezing occurs due to the narrowing of the smaller airways during expiration.

Choice D rationale:

Pneumonia is an infection of the lung tissue and can cause productive cough, fever, and crackles on auscultation. While wheezing might occur in pneumonia due to inflammation and narrowing of the airways, it's not the most likely cause of the symptoms described in the scenario.