A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a child who has a temperature of 39.1° C (102.4° F) and a suspected diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Administer an antipyretic to the child.

Dim the lights in the child's room.

Implement droplet precautions for the child.

Prepare the child for a lumbar puncture.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. "Administer an antipyretic to the child." While managing fever with antipyretics is important, it is not the immediate priority. Ensuring the child's safety and preventing the spread of infection are more urgent.

B. "Dim the lights in the child's room." While dimming the lights can help reduce discomfort and sensitivity in a child with meningitis, it is not the first priority. Implementing precautions and addressing infection control is more critical initially.

C. "Implement droplet precautions for the child." Bacterial meningitis is a communicable disease that can be spread via respiratory droplets. Implementing droplet precautions is crucial to prevent the spread of the infection to others and protect healthcare workers. This action should be taken first to ensure proper infection control.

D. "Prepare the child for a lumbar puncture." A lumbar puncture is an important diagnostic procedure for confirming bacterial meningitis, but it should only be performed after appropriate precautions are in place. Ensuring infection control measures are followed first is essential before proceeding with any diagnostic or treatment procedures.

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 D

Explanation

Choice A Reason:

Moving the baby's stuffed animal to the corner of the crib might not address the risk factors for SIDS, and loose bedding or soft objects in the sleep environment can increase the risk.

Choice B Reason:

Having the baby sleep next to the parent in bed might increase the risk of accidental suffocation or entrapment, which are factors associated with an increased risk of SIDS.

Choice C Reason:

Placing the baby on their side to sleep for naps is not recommended because the safest sleep position for infants is on their back. Side sleeping can also increase the risk of the baby rolling onto their stomach, which is a higher risk position for SIDS.

Choice D Reason:

"I will dress my baby in lightweight clothing to sleep." Is correct. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) risk reduction strategies include dressing infants in lightweight clothing to prevent overheating, which is considered a risk factor for SIDS. Ensuring the baby is not excessively bundled up or overheated during sleep can help reduce the risk.

A. Oliguria B. Hyperactive bowel sounds C. Hyporeflexia D. Hypertension

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason:

Oliguria is incorrect. Low potassium levels (hypokalemia) may lead to decreased kidney function and reduced urine output (oliguria) in severe cases. However, at this potassium level, oliguria might not be the immediate or most prominent finding.

Choice B Reason:

Hyperactive bowel sounds are incorrect. Gastroenteritis typically presents with increased bowel sounds due to gastrointestinal irritation or inflammation. Potassium levels might not directly influence bowel sounds, so hyperactive bowel sounds might not be specifically related to the potassium level.

Choice C Reason:

Hyporeflexia is correct. Hypokalemia, indicated by a low potassium level, can affect nerve conduction and muscular function, potentially leading to hyporeflexia (reduced reflexes) as one of its manifestations. This can be a relevant finding associated with low potassium levels.

Choice D Reason:

Hypertension is incorrect. Hypokalemia is more commonly associated with hypotension (low blood pressure) rather than hypertension (high blood pressure). Therefore, hypertension is less likely to be an expected finding related to low potassium levels.

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 nurse in the emergency department is caring for a child who has a temperature of 39.1° C (102.4° F) and a suspected diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is providing discharge teaching to the parents of an infant who is at risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Which of the following statements by the parents indicates an understanding of the teaching?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a preschooler who has gastroenteritis and notes the client's potassium level is 3.2 mEq/L. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse expect?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is preparing to collect a urine specimen from a female infant using a urine collection bag. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A nurse is planning care for an adolescent who has sickle cell anemia. Which of the following immunizations should the nurse include in the plan?

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a child who was recently admitted for suspected rheumatic fever. The nurse should identify that which of the following laboratory tests can contribute to confirming this diagnosis? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is caring for an infant who has rotavirus. Which of the following findings indicates that the infant is moderately dehydrated?

A nurse in an emergency department is assessing an adolescent who reports inhalation of gasoline. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A nurse in the emergency department is assessing a toddler who has hyperpyrexia, severe dyspnea, and is drooling, which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A nurse in a provider's office is reviewing data from a client's medical record. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease?

A nurse is reinforcing teaching about end-of-life care with the partner of a client. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?