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.

Answer and Explanation

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.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: This choice is correct because examining the child's tympanic membrane at the end of the physical examination is the best strategy to avoid upsetting or frightening the child. The tympanic membrane is the thin membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear, and it can be examined by using an otoscope, which is a device that has a light and a magnifying lens. Examining the tympanic membrane may be uncomfortable or painful for the child, especially if they have an ear infection or inﬂammation. Therefore, performing this procedure at the end of the examination can help to minimize the child's distress and resistance.

Choice B reason: This choice is incorrect because examining the child's tympanic membrane before auscultating the chest and abdomen is not a good strategy to avoid upsetting or frightening the child. Auscultating the chest and abdomen is a procedure that involves listening to the sounds of the heart, lungs, and bowel by using a stethoscope, which is a device that has a chest piece and earpieces. Auscultating the chest and abdomen may be soothing or relaxing for the child, as it does not cause any discomfort or pain. Therefore, performing this procedure before examining the tympanic membrane can help to calm and distract the child.

Choice C reason: This choice is incorrect because examining the child's tympanic membrane at the beginning of the physical examination is not a good strategy to avoid upsetting or frightening the child. Examining the tympanic membrane at the beginning of the examination may cause anxiety or fear in the child, which can affect their cooperation and trust for the rest of the examination. Therefore, performing this procedure at the beginning of the examination can increase the child's distress and resistance.

Choice D reason: This choice is incorrect because examining the child's tympanic membrane before examining the
head and neck is not a good strategy to avoid upsetting or frightening the child. Examining the head and neck is a procedure that involves inspecting and palpating the scalp, hair, face, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, throat, lymph nodes, and thyroid gland. Examining the head and neck may be easy or pleasant for the child, as it does not cause any discomfort or pain. Therefore, performing this procedure before examining the tympanic membrane can help to establish rapport and confidence with the child.

A. Contact B. Airborne C. Protective environment D. Droplet

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A: Contact isolation is not appropriate for a child who has measles, which is a highly contagious viral infection that causes fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Contact isolation is used for patients who have infections that can be spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or their environment, such as wound infections, scabies, or Clostridioides difficile. Contact isolation requires wearing gloves and gowns and using dedicated equipment.

Choice B: Airborne isolation is appropriate for a child who has measles, as it is used for patients who have infections that can be spread by small droplets that can remain suspended in the air and travel over long distances, such as tuberculosis, chickenpox, or measles. Airborne isolation requires wearing a respirator mask and placing the patient in a negative pressure room with the door closed.

Choice C: Protective environment isolation is not appropriate for a child who has measles, as it is used for patients who have compromised immune systems and are at high risk of acquiring infections from others, such as transplant recipients, cancer patients, or patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Protective environment isolation requires wearing gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection and placing the patient in a positive pressure room with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.

Choice D: Droplet isolation is not appropriate for a child who has measles, as it is used for patients who have infections that can be spread by large droplets that can travel up to 6 feet from the source, such as inﬂuenza, pertussis, or meningitis. Droplet isolation requires wearing a surgical mask and eye protection and placing the patient in a private room or cohorting with other patients with the same infection.

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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?

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