A nurse is evaluating an 8-month-old infant's pain level following the administration of hydrocodone. Which of the following pain scales would the nurse use?

B. A chest X-ray: The client’s symptoms (cough, blood-tinged sputum, night sweats, fever, and weight loss) are concerning for tuberculosis (TB) or another pulmonary infection. A chest X-ray is a key diagnostic tool to assess for lung abnormalities, including TB infiltrates or cavitations.

D. A Mantoux test: The Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST) is used to screen for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Given the client’s recent travel to South Africa, a high TB prevalence area, and their symptoms, TB testing is crucial.

Incorrect:

A. A pulmonary function test: This evaluates chronic respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD, but is not a first-line test for an acute cough with systemic symptoms.

C. A nasopharyngeal swab: This is used for diagnosing viral infections like influenza or COVID-19, which are less likely given the client’s blood-tinged sputum and prolonged systemic symptoms.

E. Blood cultures: These are used to detect bacteremia or sepsis, but there is no indication of systemic bacterial infection (e.g., hemodynamic instability, severe leukocytosis).

A) Administer granulocyte colony stimulating factor: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is used to stimulate white blood cell production in certain conditions like neutropenia. However, in an infant with HIV, the primary concern is the HIV progression and monitoring for complications rather than administering G-CSF. It is not routinely used for infants with HIV unless there is a specific indication such as neutropenia.

B) Monitor the infant's lymphocyte count: Monitoring the infant’s lymphocyte count is an appropriate and essential intervention. HIV affects the immune system by targeting CD4+ T lymphocytes, so tracking the lymphocyte count will help gauge the progression of the disease and the effectiveness of the treatment. It is vital to assess the infant’s immune status, as HIV can lead to a weakened immune system and increase susceptibility to infections.

C) Initiate droplet precautions: Droplet precautions are typically required for infections like influenza or certain respiratory illnesses. HIV is not transmitted via droplets; it is primarily transmitted through blood, sexual contact, and from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding. Therefore, droplet precautions are not necessary for this infant.

D) Educate the infant's guardians about exchange transfusions: Exchange transfusions are generally not a routine intervention for infants with HIV unless there is a specific complication like severe hyperbilirubinemia or other hematologic conditions. The focus for infants with HIV is on managing antiretroviral therapy (ART) and preventing infections, rather than performing exchange transfusions. Educating the guardians about ART and infection prevention would be more appropriate.