A nurse is admitting an infant who has severe dehydration from acute gastroenteritis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A. Apex of the heart:The apex of the heart is the preferred site for measuring an infant's heart rate. It is located at the 4th or 5th intercostal space, just medial to the midclavicular line, allowing for accurate auscultation of the heartbeat.

B. Carotid artery:While the carotid artery can be used to assess heart rate in older children and adults, it is not ideal for infants due to the risk of compromising circulation to the brain if pressure is applied too forcefully.

C. Brachial artery:The brachial artery is often used to assess pulse in infants, especially in cases of CPR, but it is not the preferred site for routine heart rate measurement. It may be used when assessing circulation or checking for pulses, but auscultation at the apex is more accurate for heart rate.

D. Radial artery:The radial artery can be difficult to palpate in infants due to their small size and is generally not used for heart rate assessment in this age group. The apex is a more reliable location.

A.Factor X is a clotting factor involved in the coagulation cascade. It is not directly related to preventing infections. While clotting factors are essential for hemostasis, they do not play a role in infection prevention.

B. Steroids can suppress the immune response, making the child more susceptible to infections. Therefore, they are not specifically administered to prevent infections

C. In a child with a sickle cell crisis who is hospitalized, preventing infections is crucial due to the increased risk of infections in this condition. Administering immunizations that the patient is scheduled for can help prevent certain infections.

Children with sickle cell disease are at a higher risk of bacterial infections, especially from encapsulated organisms like Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. Vaccines can help protect against these pathogens and reduce the risk of serious infections.

Some of the recommended immunizations for children with sickle cell disease include:

Pneumococcal vaccine: This helps protect against infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, which can cause severe respiratory and bloodstream infections.

Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine: This protects against infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B, which can lead to serious illnesses like pneumonia and meningitis.

Meningococcal vaccine: This protects against Neisseria meningitidis, which can cause meningitis and bloodstream infections.

Influenza vaccine: This annual vaccine helps protect against seasonal flu, which can be severe in children with sickle cell disease.

Administering these vaccines according to the recommended schedule helps provide protection against certain infections and can improve outcomes for children with sickle cell disease during hospitalization and beyond. The other options, Factor X, steroids, and PCA morphine, are not specific measures for preventing infections in a child with sickle cell crisis.

D.PCA (patient-controlled analgesia) morphine is used for pain management during a sickle cell crisis. It does not directly prevent infections.