A nurse is assisting a child who has multiple closed fractures of the lower extremities due to a motor-vehicle crash.
The nurse should monitor the child for which of the following complications during the first 24 hr after the injury occurred?

The correct answer is choiceB.

Choice A rationale:

Dark brown blood in emesis is typically old blood and may not require immediate intervention.However, it should still be monitored and reported to the healthcare provider.

Choice B rationale:

Frequent swallowing can indicate active bleeding from the surgical site, which requires immediate intervention.This is a sign that the child may be swallowing blood, which can lead to significant blood loss.

Choice C rationale:

An axillary temperature of 38°C (100°F) is a mild fever and not uncommon postoperatively.It should be monitored, but it does not require immediate intervention.

Choice D rationale:

A pain level of 5 on the FACES scale indicates moderate pain, which is expected after a tonsillectomy.Pain management should be addressed, but it does not require immediate intervention.

Choice A rationale

Providing a pacifier coated with an oral sucrose prior to injections can help reduce the infant’s pain response. The sweetness of the sucrose can distract the infant and provide some comfort.

Choice B rationale

Injecting the immunizations into the deltoid muscle is not recommended for infants. The deltoid muscle is not usually used until children are older and have more muscle mass.

Choice C rationale

Using a 20-gauge needle for injections is not typically recommended for infants. Smaller gauge needles are usually used to minimize discomfort.

Choice D rationale

Applying a eutectic mixture of local anesthetics cream immediately before the injections can help numb the skin and reduce pain. This can make the injection process less distressing for the infant.