A nurse is caring for four children in an emergency department.
Which of the following clients should the nurse assess first?
A child who has mononucleosis and reports severe fatigue.
A child who has Wilms' tumor and an abdominal mass.
A child who has acute epiglottitis and is drooling.
A child who has a urinary tract infection and bright red blood in her urine.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
A child who has mononucleosis and reports severe fatigue requires medical attention, but this condition does not pose an immediate life-threatening risk compared to acute epiglottitis. Mononucleosis is a viral infection that can cause fatigue, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. While the child should be assessed, the priority is given to the child with acute epiglottitis due to the potential for airway obstruction and respiratory distress.
Choice B rationale:
A child who has Wilms' tumor and an abdominal mass also needs urgent medical evaluation. Wilms' tumor is a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children. While it requires prompt attention, acute epiglottitis poses a more immediate threat to the airway and breathing.
Choice C rationale:
A child with acute epiglottitis and drooling requires immediate assessment and intervention. Acute epiglottitis is a potentially life-threatening infection that can cause severe swelling of the epiglottis, leading to airway obstruction. The child may have difficulty breathing and may present with the classic drooling sign due to the inability to swallow saliva. Prompt medical intervention, including airway management and appropriate antibiotics, is essential in this situation.
Choice D rationale:
A child with a urinary tract infection and bright red blood in her urine requires medical evaluation, but this condition is not as urgent as acute epiglottitis. Hematuria (blood in the urine) can have various causes, including urinary tract infections or kidney stones. While the child should receive medical attention, it does not take precedence over the immediate threat posed by acute epiglottitis, which requires urgent intervention to maintain the airway.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","C","E","F"]
Explanation
The four findings that require follow-up are B, C, E, and F.
Rationale:
- Blood pressure: A normal blood pressure for an adolescent is 110/70 mm Hg. The question does not provide the adolescent's blood pressure, so it cannot be determined if it requires followup or not.
- Capillary refill: A normal capillary refill time is less than 2 seconds. A prolonged capillary refill time indicates impaired blood flow to the extremity, which could be due to vascular injury, compartment syndrome, or shock.
- Pedal pulse: A normal pedal pulse is +2 or +3. A weak pedal pulse (+1) indicates reduced blood flow to the extremity, which could be due to vascular injury, compartment syndrome, or shock.
- Heart rate: A normal heart rate for an adolescent is 60 to 100 beats per minute. The question does not provide the adolescent's heart rate, so it cannot be determined if it requires follow-up or not.
- Skin temperature: A normal skin temperature is warm and dry. A cool skin temperature indicates reduced blood flow to the extremity, which could be due to vascular injury, compartment syndrome, or shock.
- Pain: A pain level of 10 on a scale of 0 to 10 indicates severe pain that needs to be managed with appropriate analgesics and nonpharmacological interventions.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
- A. Instructing the client about the importance of regular medical appointments is important, but not the priority. The nurse should first ensure that the client knows how to manage their blood glucose levels and administer insulin at home.
- B. Encouraging the client to participate in daily exercise is beneficial, but not the priority. The nurse should first ensure that the client knows how to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin dose accordingly.
- C. Explaining proper foot care techniques to the client is essential, but not the priority. The nurse should first ensure that the client knows how to prevent and treat hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, which can have serious complications.
- D. Ensuring that the client understands the medication regimen is the priority. The nurse should teach the client about the types, actions, doses, and administration times of insulin, as well as how to store and dispose of it safely.
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