A mother runs into the emergency department with a toddler in her arms and tells the nurse that her child got into some cleaning products. The child smells of chemicals on the hands, face, and on the front of the child's clothes. After ensuring the airway is patent, which action should the nurse implement first?
Determine type of chemical exposure.
Call poison control emergency number.
Assess child for altered sensorium.
Obtain equipment for gastric lavage.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Determining the type of chemical exposure is critical as it guides subsequent treatment and interventions. Different chemicals require different management strategies, including whether to induce vomiting or administer activated charcoal.
B. Calling poison control is important but should occur after identifying the specific chemical involved, as the poison control guidelines often depend on the substance the child was exposed to.
C. Assessing for altered sensorium is important, but the immediate priority is to identify the type of chemical exposure to implement appropriate interventions.
D. Obtaining equipment for gastric lavage may be necessary in certain cases, but this is based on the type of chemical ingested and the child's condition. Identifying the chemical exposure must occur first to determine if gastric lavage is appropriate.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is []
Explanation
Cardiovascular
- Capillary refill 4 seconds
- A prolonged capillary refill time indicates poor peripheral perfusion, which can be a sign of hypoxia. Hypoxia can lead to reduced oxygen delivery to the tissues, resulting in delayed capillary refill.
Respiratory
- Oxygen saturation 90% on room air
- An oxygen saturation level of 90% is below the normal range (95-100%) and indicates that the blood is not adequately oxygenated, which is a direct sign of hypoxia.
- Respiratory rate 28 breaths/minute
- An elevated respiratory rate (tachypnea) is a common compensatory mechanism in response to hypoxia. The body attempts to increase oxygen intake and carbon dioxide expulsion by breathing more rapidly.
Neurological
- Anxious
- Anxiety can be a symptom of hypoxia. When the brain and other vital organs do not receive enough oxygen, it can trigger a sense of anxiety and restlessness as part of the body's alarm system.
- Restless
- Restlessness is another common symptom of hypoxia. It occurs because the body is trying to compensate for the lack of oxygen, leading to increased agitation and an inability to remain
calm.
Rationales for the Incorrect Choices:
- Cardiovascular
- Heart rate 101 beats/minute: While an elevated heart rate can be a compensatory response to hypoxia, it alone does not directly indicate hypoxia.
- Blood pressure 145/89 mm Hg: Elevated blood pressure is not a direct indicator of hypoxia and can be influenced by various factors including anxiety and pain.
- Respiratory
- Productive cough: A productive cough suggests respiratory infection or inflammation but does not directly measure oxygenation status or indicate hypoxia.
- Neurological
- Awake and alert: Being awake and alert indicates normal mental status and does not suggest hypoxia. Hypoxia typically affects cognitive function, leading to confusion or decreased level of consciousness in more severe cases.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Serum potassium. Insulin therapy causes potassium to move into cells, which can lead to hypokalemia. Monitoring serum potassium is critical because significant drops can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and other complications.
B. Urine ketones. While monitoring ketones is important for assessing the resolution of DKA, it is not as immediately critical as monitoring potassium levels.
C. Serum sodium. Sodium levels are important but typically do not change as rapidly as potassium levels during DKA treatment.
D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN). BUN levels provide information about kidney function and hydration status but are less immediately critical than potassium levels in the context of insulin therapy for DKA.
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