A nurse is planning care for a child who has varicella. Which of the following interventions should the nurse plan to include?

Choice A Reason:

"Let me know when you want to take the medication.": This statement offers the child autonomy and control over the situation, allowing them to feel empowered to decide when to take the medication.

Choice B Reason:

"The medication isn't bad. It tastes like candy.": This statement might be misleading, as medications often don't taste like candy. It's important to maintain honesty with children about the taste of medication to build trust.

Choice C Reason:

"The medication will treat your hypersensitivity reaction.": While it's important to explain the purpose of the medication, this statement might not resonate well with a preschooler. Using simpler language and a more relatable explanation might be more effective.

Choice D Reason:

"Sometimes, when a child has to take medication, they feel sad.": This statement acknowledges the child's feelings, but it might inadvertently suggest negative emotions associated with taking medication. Instead, it's often better to use positive and reassuring language.

Choice A Reason:

Insert an IV catheter for the toddler. While establishing IV access is important for administering medications and fluids, in this scenario, securing the airway takes precedence due to the immediate threat to the child's ability to breathe. Intubation to ensure a clear airway and adequate oxygenation is more critical at this moment.

Choice B Reason:

Prepare the toddler for nasotracheal intubation. These symptoms—hyperpyrexia, severe dyspnea, and drooling—can be indicative of epiglottitis, a potentially life-threatening condition where the airway can become severely compromised due to swelling of the epiglottis. Immediate intervention to secure the airway is crucial in such cases to ensure the child can breathe adequately.

While obtaining an IV catheter, blood culture, and administering antibiotics are important in managing the condition, securing the airway takes precedence in this critical situation to maintain the child's breathing and prevent further respiratory compromise.

Choice C Reason:

Obtain a blood culture from the toddler. Obtaining a blood culture is an essential diagnostic step in identifying potential infections or causes but is not the immediate priority when a child is experiencing severe respiratory distress. Stabilizing the airway and breathing take precedence in this critical situation.

Choice D Reason:

Administer an antibiotic to the toddler. Administering antibiotics might be part of the treatment plan, especially if an infection is suspected, but in an emergent situation where the airway is compromised, securing the airway is the primary concern to ensure the child's ability to breathe and maintain oxygenation.