A nurse is caring for an 8-year-old child who has acute rheumatic fever. Which of the following assessments is the nurse's priority immediately after admission?
Using a pain-rating tool to determine the severity of the joint pain
Assessing the client's erythematous rash
Identifying the degree of parental anxiety related to the diagnosis
Auscultating the rate and regularity of the child's heart sounds and notifying the provider immediately of abnormalities
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A: Using a pain-rating tool to determine the severity of the joint pain is not the priority assessment for an 8-year-old child who has acute rheumatic fever, which is an inflammatory condition that can affect various organs, especially the heart, joints, skin, and brain. Joint pain is one of the major criteria for diagnosing acute rheumatic fever and can affect one or more large joints, such as knees, ankles, elbows, or wrists. Joint pain can be managed with analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs.
Choice B: Assessing the client's erythematous rash is not the priority assessment for an 8-year-old child who has acute rheumatic fever, which is an inflammatory condition that can affect various organs, especially the heart, joints, skin, and brain. The erythematous rash is one of the minor criteria for diagnosing acute rheumatic fever and can appear as pink or red patches on the trunk or limbs. The erythematous rash can fade or change location over time and does not require any specific treatment.
Choice C: Identifying the degree of parental anxiety related to the diagnosis is not the priority assessment for an 8-year-old child who has acute rheumatic fever, which is an inflammatory condition that can affect various organs, especially the heart, joints, skin, and brain. Parental anxiety related to the diagnosis can affect their coping skills and ability to care for their child. Parental anxiety can be addressed by providing education, support, and referral to appropriate resources.
Choice D: Auscultating the rate and regularity of the child's heart sounds and notifying the provider immediately of abnormalities is the priority assessment for an 8-year-old child who has acute rheumatic fever, as it can indicate cardiac involvement, which is the most serious complication of acute rheumatic fever. Cardiac involvement can cause damage to the heart valves, myocardium, or pericardium and lead to heart failure or death. Abnormalities in heart sounds may include murmurs, rubs, gallops, or arrhythmias.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A: A video game is not a therapeutic play activity for a 4-year-old child who is distressed after an insulin injection, as it does not address the child's feelings or concerns about the injection. A video game may provide distraction or entertainment, but it does not help the child cope with or understand their condition.
Choice B: A period of play in the playroom is not a therapeutic play activity for a 4-year-old child who is distressed after an insulin injection, as it does not address the child's feelings or concerns about the injection. A period of play in the playroom may provide socialization or stimulation, but it does not help the child cope with or understand their condition.
Choice C: A storybook about a 4-year-old child is not a therapeutic play activity for a 4-year-old child who is distressed after an insulin injection unless the storybook is specifically about diabetes mellitus and insulin injections. A storybook about a 4-year-old child may provide identification or imagination, but it does not help the child cope with or understand their condition.
Choice D: A needleless syringe and a doll is a therapeutic play activity for a 4-year-old child who is distressed after an insulin injection, as it allows the child to express their feelings and concerns about the injection through role-playing and simulation. A needleless syringe and a doll can help the child cope with and understand their condition by providing mastery, control, and education.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A: A decreased heart rate is not a sign of pain in an infant, as pain usually causes an increased heart rate due to sympathetic nervous system activation. A decreased heart rate may indicate other problems, such as hypothermia, hypoxia, or bradycardia.
Choice B: A decreased respiratory rate is not a sign of pain in an infant, as pain usually causes an increased respiratory rate due to sympathetic nervous system activation. A decreased respiratory rate may indicate other problems, such as hypothermia, hypoxia, or respiratory depression.
Choice C: An increased formula consumption is not a sign of pain in an infant, as pain usually causes a decreased appetite and oral intake due to discomfort and distress. An increased formula consumption may indicate other factors, such as growth spurt, hunger, or thirst.
Choice D: An increased crying episode is a sign of pain in an infant, as crying is one of the most common and reliable indicators of pain in infants who cannot verbalize their feelings. An increased crying episode may also be accompanied by other signs of pain, such as facial grimacing, body tensing, or inconsolability.
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