A nurse is caring for a child who has bacterial meningitis.
Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the child can be removed from droplet precautions?
Antibiotics initiated 24 hr ago
Negative Cerebrospinal fluid culture
Absent nuchal rigidity
Temperature below 37.4 C (99.4F)
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is A. Antibiotics initiated 24 hr ago.
Explanation:
Children with bacterial meningitis require droplet precautions to prevent the spread of infection. These precautions can typically be discontinued after 24 hours of effective antibiotic therapy, as the risk of transmission significantly decreases.
Why the other options are incorrect:
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B. Negative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture – While a negative CSF culture confirms the absence of bacteria, cultures may take several days to process. Droplet precautions are usually lifted based on treatment duration, not pending lab results.
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C. Absent nuchal rigidity – Nuchal rigidity (stiff neck) is a symptom of meningitis, but its resolution does not determine infectious risk.
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D. Temperature below 37.4°C (99.4°F) – Fever reduction is a sign of improvement but does not indicate that the infection is no longer transmissible.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Question 1: The correct answer is Choice c. Perform developmental testing for delays.
Lead poisoning can lead to cognitive, behavioral, and developmental impairments, making developmental testing crucial for assessing potential delays and planning interventions. Developmental testing allows healthcare providers to identify any areas of concern early on, enabling them to implement appropriate interventions to support the child's development and mitigate the effects of lead poisoning.
Choice A rationale: Obtaining a stool specimen for lead levels is not the appropriate action in this scenario. Lead poisoning is typically assessed through blood lead levels, not stool specimens. Stool specimens are more commonly used for assessing gastrointestinal issues or infections rather than lead levels.
Choice B rationale: Initiating a low-iron diet for lead absorption is not recommended. Iron deficiency can actually increase lead absorption in the body, so reducing iron intake could potentially exacerbate the issue. Instead, ensuring an adequate intake of iron-rich foods may be beneficial for overall health but is not a primary intervention for lead poisoning.
Choice D rationale: Inspecting the skin for discoloration is not a relevant action for assessing lead poisoning. While lead poisoning can manifest in various symptoms, skin discoloration is not typically associated with lead exposure. Other signs and symptoms such as cognitive, behavioral, and developmental impairments are more indicative of lead poisoning.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
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.
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