A nurse is planning care for a 5-month-old infant who is scheduled for a lumbar puncture to rule out meningitis. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
Apply a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine cream topically 15 min prior to the procedure.
Keep the infant NPO for 6 hr prior to the procedure.
Hold the infant's chin to his chest and knees to his abdomen during the procedure.
Place the infant in an infant seat for 2 hr following the procedure.
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is: c. Hold the infant’s chin to his chest and knees to his abdomen during the procedure.
Choice A: Apply a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine cream topically 15 min prior to the procedure.
Applying a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine (EMLA) cream can help reduce pain during procedures like lumbar punctures. However, it typically needs to be applied 30 to 60 minutes before the procedure to be effective. Applying it only 15 minutes prior would not provide adequate analgesia.
Choice B: Keep the infant NPO for 6 hr prior to the procedure.
Keeping an infant NPO (nothing by mouth) for 6 hours is generally recommended before procedures requiring sedation or anesthesia to reduce the risk of aspiration. However, lumbar punctures do not typically require such prolonged fasting, especially in infants, unless sedation is planned.
Choice C: Hold the infant’s chin to his chest and knees to his abdomen during the procedure.
This is the correct positioning for a lumbar puncture in infants. The infant should be held in a curled-up position, with the chin to the chest and knees to the abdomen, to maximize the space between the vertebrae and allow easier access to the lumbar region. This position helps to stabilize the infant and reduce movement during the procedure.
Choice D: Place the infant in an infant seat for 2 hr following the procedure.
Post-procedure care for a lumbar puncture typically involves monitoring the infant for any signs of complications, such as headache or infection. Placing the infant in an infant seat for 2 hours is not a standard recommendation. Instead, the infant should be observed and allowed to rest comfortably.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A: A barking cough is not a finding that indicates that the treatment has been effective, but rather a symptom of acute laryngotracheobronchitis, which is also known as croup. Croup is a condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the upper airway and produces a characteristic barking or seal-like cough. A barking cough may persist for several days after the onset of croup and does not reflect the severity of the airway obstruction.
Choice B: Decreased stridor is a finding that indicates that the treatment has been effective, as stridor is a sign of airway obstruction caused by acute laryngotracheobronchitis. Stridor is a high-pitched, noisy breathing sound that occurs when the air passes through the narrowed airway. Stridor may be inspiratory, expiratory, or biphasic,
depending on the level of obstruction. Decreased stridor means that the airway is less obstructed and the child can breathe more easily.
Choice C: Improved hydration is not a finding that indicates that the treatment has been effective, but rather a goal of treatment for acute laryngotracheobronchitis. Dehydration can worsen the symptoms and complications of croup by thickening the mucus and increasing the risk of infection. Improved hydration can help thin out the mucus and prevent dehydration. Hydration can be improved by encouraging oral fluids, administering intravenous fluids, or providing humidified air.
Choice D: Decreased temperature is not a finding that indicates that the treatment has been effective, but rather a possible outcome of treatment for acute laryngotracheobronchitis. Fever may or may not be present in croup, depending on the cause and severity of the condition. Fever can be caused by viral or bacterial infection, inflammation, or dehydration. Decreased temperature can indicate that the infection or inflammation is resolving or that the dehydration is corrected.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A: This test will not indicate if the child has rheumatic fever, as rheumatic fever is a complication of an untreated or inadequately treated streptococcal infection that affects the heart, joints, skin, and brain. Rheumatic fever is diagnosed based on clinical criteria, such as carditis, polyarthritis, chorea, erythema marginatum, and subcutaneous nodules.
Choice B: This test will confirm if the child had a recent streptococcal infection, as antistreptolysin O (ASO) is an antibody that the body produces in response to streptococcal bacteria. A high ASO titer indicates that the child was exposed to streptococcal bacteria within the past few weeks. A streptococcal infection can cause pharyngitis, tonsillitis, scarlet fever, or impetigo.
Choice C: This test will not indicate if the child has a therapeutic blood level of an aminoglycoside, as an aminoglycoside is a type of antibiotic that is used to treat serious bacterial infections. A therapeutic blood level of an aminoglycoside means that the drug is effective and safe in the body. A therapeutic blood level of an aminoglycoside is measured by a peak and trough level.
Choice D: This test will not confirm if the child has immunity to streptococcal bacteria, as immunity to streptococcal bacteria means that the body can resist or fight the infection. Immunity to streptococcal bacteria can be acquired by natural exposure or vaccination. Immunity to streptococcal bacteria is measured by an antibody titer or a skin test.
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