A nurse is caring for a school-age child who has a fracture to the right femur. Which of the following findings is the nurse’s priority?

The correct answer is (C) Determine if the toddler is voiding.

Choice A: Initiate isotonic fluids with 20 mEq/L potassium chloride. While it is important to maintain hydration in a child with acute gastroenteritis, initiating isotonic fluids with 20 mEq/L potassium chloride is not the first action a nurse should take. The child’s hydration status and electrolyte balance need to be assessed first. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of isotonic solutions with adequate potassium chloride and dextrose for maintenance IV fluids in children.

Choice B: Collect a stool sample from the toddler Collecting a stool sample can help identify the cause of the gastroenteritis. However, this is not the first step. The stool sample collection should be done using a clean, dry toilet hat or plastic wrap. But before this, the child’s hydration status needs to be assessed.

Choice C: Determine if the toddler is voiding The first action the nurse should take when using the nursing process is assessment. Therefore, checking if the toddler is voiding is the priority. This will help assess the child’s hydration status, which is critical in managing acute gastroenteritis.

Choice D: Request evaluation of the toddler’s serum electrolytes Requesting an evaluation of the toddler’s serum electrolytes is also important, but it’s typically done after the initial assessment. Fluid and electrolyte derangement are the immediate causes that increase the mortality in diarrhea. However, before requesting this evaluation, the nurse should first determine if the toddler is voiding to assess the child’s hydration status.

Choice A rationale
A 2+ right pedal pulse indicates a normal pulse and is not a cause for immediate concern in a child with a femur fracture.
Choice B rationale
Tingling in the right foot could indicate nerve damage or compromised blood flow, which can be a serious complication of a femur fracture. This should be the nurse’s priority as it could lead to long-term damage if not addressed promptly.
Choice C rationale
A capillary refill time of less than 2 seconds is considered normal and is not a cause for immediate concern in a child with a femur fracture.
Choice D rationale
A respiratory rate of 24/min is within the normal range for a school-age child and is not a cause for immediate concern in a child with a femur fracture.