A nurse is planning care for a school-age child who is 4 hr postoperative following appendicitis.

Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

The correct answer is choice C: “Do you have thoughts of harming yourself?”.

This is the priority question for the nurse to ask the client because it assesses the client’s risk for suicide, which is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of conduct disorder. The nurse should use a direct and nonjudgmental approach when asking about suicidal ideation and plan.

Choice A: “How do you get along with your peers at school?” is wrong because it is not the most urgent question to ask the client.

While it is important to assess the client’s social relationships and possible peer rejection, this can be done after addressing the client’s safety and mental status.

Choice B: “Do you have a criminal record?” is wrong because it is not relevant to the client’s current condition and might make the client feel defensive or stigmatized.

The nurse should avoid asking questions that imply blame or judgment and focus on the client’s strengths and coping skills.

Choice D: “How do you manage your behavior?” is wrong because it is not appropriate for the nurse to ask the client in an emergency department setting.

This question might imply that the client is responsible for their conduct disorder, which is a complex and multifactorial mental health condition. The nurse should collaborate with the client and their family to develop a behavior management plan that involves positive reinforcement, limit setting, and consistent consequences.

Normal ranges: According to the DSM-5, conduct disorder is characterized by a persistent pattern of behavior that violates the rights of others or societal norms.

The symptoms of conduct disorder include aggression, deceitfulness, destruction of property, serious rule violations, and lack of remorse.

Conduct disorder can cause significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning. The prevalence of conduct disorder is estimated to be 4% among children and adolescents.

The risk factors for conduct disorder include genetic factors, neurobiological factors, environmental factors, and psychological factors.

, dizziness.

Dizziness is a manifestation of hypovolemia, which is a decrease in blood volume due to fluid loss.

Hypovolemia can cause orthostatic hypotension, which is a drop in blood pressure when changing positions. This can lead to dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.

Choice A, epistaxis, is wrong because it is not a sign of hypovolemia, but rather a possible cause of it. Epistaxis is a nosebleed that can result from trauma, infection, dryness, or coagulation disorders.

Choice B, headache, is wrong because it is not a specific sign of hypovolemia, but rather a nonspecific symptom that can have many causes. Headache can be associated with dehydration, but it can also be caused by stress, infection, inflammation, or other factors.

Choice D, shortness of breath, is wrong because it is not a sign of hypovolemia, but rather a sign of fluid volume excess.

Fluid volume excess is an increase in blood volume due to fluid retention or overload. Fluid volume excess can cause dyspnea, which is difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.

Normal ranges for blood pressure are 90/60 mm Hg to 120/80 mm Hg for adults.

Normal ranges for heart rate are 60 to 100 beats per minute for adults.