A nurse is assisting with the care of a client

Exhibits

Select the 3 findings that require immediate follow-up.

Rationale:

A. The client's next dressing change is scheduled in 4 hr.: This is routine scheduling information that does not require input from the entire interprofessional team. It is more relevant for shift handoff or task tracking than for collaborative care planning.

B. The client has developed difficulty ambulating: New or worsening mobility issues can impact the client’s safety, rehabilitation needs, discharge planning, and therapy referrals. This information is essential for all members of the interprofessional team, including physical therapists and case managers.

C. The client's vital signs are checked every 8 hr.: This detail reflects standard monitoring protocol and does not provide meaningful insight into the client’s current health status or changes that would impact team planning or intervention.

D. The client has state-sponsored health insurance: While insurance type may influence discharge or equipment planning, it is handled by social services or case management. It is not the most relevant information to bring forward in a clinical team meeting.

Rationale:

A. Beefy, red tongue: A beefy, red tongue is typically associated with scarlet fever, not pertussis. It results from the streptococcal infection and accompanying inflammatory response, which is unrelated to the bacterial cause and symptom pattern of pertussis.

B. Productive cough with thick mucous: Pertussis, or whooping cough, usually causes a paroxysmal, dry, hacking cough followed by a characteristic "whooping" sound on inspiration. It is not commonly associated with a productive cough containing thick mucus, especially in early and peak stages.

C. Facial erythema: Facial erythema can occur during severe coughing fits in children with pertussis due to the forceful and prolonged nature of coughing episodes. The increased intrathoracic pressure during coughing may lead to flushing or redness of the face.

D. Koplik spots: Koplik spots are small, bluish-white lesions on the buccal mucosa and are an early sign of measles, not pertussis. They are not present in bacterial infections like Bordetella pertussis, which affects the respiratory tract.