A nurse is caring for a 30-month-old child. Which of the following activities should the nurse expect the child to participate in?

Rationale:

A. Administer ondansetron to the client for nausea: Treating nausea is important for comfort, but it does not address the most urgent risk. Nausea is not immediately life-threatening compared with potential complications from medication overdose.

B. Obtain a blood glucose level: Checking blood glucose can provide useful information, but there is no indication of hypoglycemia or diabetes-related crisis in this scenario. It is not the priority action.

C. Implement seizure precautions for the client: The client has been doubling the bupropion dose, which significantly increases the risk of seizures, especially at doses above the prescribed maximum. Seizure precautions address an immediate life-threatening risk and should be the first intervention.

D. Obtain the client's weight: Monitoring weight is important for assessing nutritional status and the severity of depression, but it is not an immediate safety concern. Life-threatening risks, such as seizures, take priority.

Rationale for Correct Answers:

• Uterus firm at 1 cm above the umbilicus and tender to palpation: Normally, by postpartum day 3, the uterus should be well below the umbilicus. A uterus that is still above and tender suggests endometritis or subinvolution, especially when combined with foul-smelling lochia.
• Moderate amount of dark brown, foul-smelling lochia noted: Lochia should progress from rubra (day 1–3, red) → serosa (day 4–10, pink/brown) → alba (day 10 onward, white/yellow). Foul-smelling lochia is a hallmark of uterine infection (endometritis).
• Temperature 38.2° C (100.8° F): A postpartum fever ≥38°C on two occasions, or even once when associated with uterine tenderness and foul lochia, is significant and indicates infection.
• WBC count 33,000/mm³: Although WBCs can be physiologically elevated postpartum (up to 20,000–25,000), a count this high is abnormal and strongly suggests severe infection.

Rationale for Incorrect Answers:

• Surgical incision well approximated with slight edema present: Mild edema is expected in the early healing process; no erythema, drainage, or dehiscence is noted, so no immediate concern.
• Respiratory rate 18/min: This is within normal range (12–20/min), no evidence of respiratory compromise.

SaO₂ 97% on room air: This is normal oxygen saturation, not concerning