A nurse in an urgent care clinic is assisting with the care of a toddler who ingested 30 tablets of aspirin. Which of the following substances should the nurse administer to the toddler?

Choice A rationale
Tinea Capitis, also known as scalp ringworm, is primarily transmitted through direct contact with infected personal items such as towels, combs, or hats.
Choice B rationale
Exposure to worm eggs through bare feet is not a mode of transmission for Tinea Capitis. This is more commonly associated with a different type of parasitic infection known as hookworm.
Choice C rationale
Sitting on worm eggs is not a mode of transmission for Tinea Capitis. This is a misconception and there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
Choice D rationale
Airborne droplet transmission is not a mode of transmission for Tinea Capitis. Tinea Capitis is caused by a type of fungus, not a virus or bacteria, and it does not spread through the air via droplets.

The correct answer is (C) Determine if the toddler is voiding.

Choice A: Initiate isotonic fluids with 20 mEq/L potassium chloride. While it is important to maintain hydration in a child with acute gastroenteritis, initiating isotonic fluids with 20 mEq/L potassium chloride is not the first action a nurse should take. The child’s hydration status and electrolyte balance need to be assessed first. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of isotonic solutions with adequate potassium chloride and dextrose for maintenance IV fluids in children.

Choice B: Collect a stool sample from the toddler Collecting a stool sample can help identify the cause of the gastroenteritis. However, this is not the first step. The stool sample collection should be done using a clean, dry toilet hat or plastic wrap. But before this, the child’s hydration status needs to be assessed.

Choice C: Determine if the toddler is voiding The first action the nurse should take when using the nursing process is assessment. Therefore, checking if the toddler is voiding is the priority. This will help assess the child’s hydration status, which is critical in managing acute gastroenteritis.

Choice D: Request evaluation of the toddler’s serum electrolytes Requesting an evaluation of the toddler’s serum electrolytes is also important, but it’s typically done after the initial assessment. Fluid and electrolyte derangement are the immediate causes that increase the mortality in diarrhea. However, before requesting this evaluation, the nurse should first determine if the toddler is voiding to assess the child’s hydration status.