A nurse is planning care for a child who has epiglottitis. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
Obtain a throat culture.
Visualize the epiglottis using a tongue depressor.
Provide moist air to reduce the inflammation of the epiglottis
Initiate airborne precautions.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Obtain a throat culture.
This option is not appropriate as a primary nursing action in the acute management of epiglottitis. While obtaining a throat culture may be necessary for diagnostic purposes, it is not a priority in the immediate care of a child with suspected epiglottitis. The focus should be on ensuring airway patency and providing emergency treatment.
B. Visualize the epiglottis using a tongue depressor.
This option is contraindicated in the acute management of epiglottitis. Direct visualization of the epiglottis using a tongue depressor or other instruments can provoke spasm of the epiglottis and worsen airway obstruction. Attempting to visualize the epiglottis should be avoided until the child's airway has been secured in a controlled environment, such as in the operating room under anesthesia.
C. Provide moist air to reduce the inflammation of the epiglottis.
This option is appropriate. Providing moist air, such as humidified oxygen or a cool mist, can help soothe the inflamed tissues of the epiglottis and upper airway. Moist air may help alleviate discomfort and reduce inflammation, although it will not directly address the risk of airway obstruction. It is often used as supportive therapy in conjunction with other interventions.
D. Initiate airborne precautions.
This option is not necessary for the care of a child with epiglottitis. Epiglottitis is not typically transmitted through airborne droplets. The priority in the management of epiglottitis is ensuring a patent airway and providing appropriate treatment to reduce inflammation and prevent complications.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. A room with a toddler who has pneumonia.
This option is not ideal because both RSV and pneumonia are respiratory infections that can spread to other patients. Placing these two patients together could increase the risk of cross-infection.
B. A private room with reverse isolation.
Reverse isolation is typically used to protect immunocompromised patients from acquiring infections from others. However, in the case of RSV, reverse isolation is not necessary because RSV primarily affects infants and young children who are generally not immunocompromised. Therefore, this option is not appropriate for an infant with RSV.
C. A private room with contact/droplet precautions.
This option is the most appropriate. RSV is primarily spread through respiratory droplets and direct contact with respiratory secretions. Placing the infant in a private room with contact/droplet precautions helps to minimize the risk of transmission to other patients. Healthcare workers and visitors entering the room should adhere to appropriate precautions, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, and gowns.
D. A room with an infant who has croup.
Placing an infant with RSV in the same room as an infant with croup is not ideal because both conditions involve respiratory symptoms and may increase the risk of cross-infection.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Coloring book with crayons:
Coloring activities with crayons are typically more suitable for older children who have developed fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. At 10 months old, infants are still in the early stages of motor development and may not have the dexterity to hold and manipulate crayons effectively. Additionally, infants at this age are more likely to put objects in their mouths, which poses a choking hazard with crayons.
B. Large-piece puzzles:
Puzzles with large pieces can be beneficial for older children's cognitive development by promoting problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination. However, at 10 months old, infants are still developing their motor skills and may not have the ability to manipulate puzzle pieces effectively. Puzzles with small pieces can also pose a choking hazard for infants.
C. Crib gym:
A crib gym is a suitable toy for a 10-month-old infant as it provides opportunities for visual stimulation, reaching, grasping, and hand-eye coordination development. Crib gyms typically consist of hanging toys or objects that the infant can bat at or grasp while lying in their crib or playpen. This type of toy encourages exploration and interaction while ensuring safety within the confines of the crib.
D. Put-in take-out toy:
Put-in take-out toys involve placing objects into a container and then removing them, which can be engaging for infants. However, while this type of toy may provide some entertainment for a 10-month-old, it may not offer as much visual and tactile stimulation as a crib gym. Additionally, some put-in take-out toys may have smaller parts that pose a choking hazard for infants, so careful supervision is necessary.
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