A nurse is planning to reinforce teaching with a preschooler who is about to undergo an incision and

drainage for cellulitis on the left arm. Which of the following techniques should the nurse use?

• A is incorrect because diarrhea is not an adverse effect of clonidine, but rather a symptom of other conditions such as infection, inflammation, or food intolerance.
• B is correct because dry mouth is a common adverse effect of clonidine, which is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that reduces sympathetic nervous system activity.
• C is incorrect because photophobia, or sensitivity to light, is not an adverse effect of clonidine, but rather a symptom of other conditions such as migraine, eye injury, or infection.
• D is incorrect because bruising, or bleeding under the skin, is not an adverse effect of clonidine, but rather a symptom of other conditions such as coagulation disorders, vitamin deficiency, or trauma.

Choice A rationale:

A child who has mononucleosis and reports severe fatigue requires medical attention, but this condition does not pose an immediate life-threatening risk compared to acute epiglottitis. Mononucleosis is a viral infection that can cause fatigue, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. While the child should be assessed, the priority is given to the child with acute epiglottitis due to the potential for airway obstruction and respiratory distress.

Choice B rationale:

A child who has Wilms' tumor and an abdominal mass also needs urgent medical evaluation. Wilms' tumor is a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children. While it requires prompt attention, acute epiglottitis poses a more immediate threat to the airway and breathing.

Choice C rationale:

A child with acute epiglottitis and drooling requires immediate assessment and intervention. Acute epiglottitis is a potentially life-threatening infection that can cause severe swelling of the epiglottis, leading to airway obstruction. The child may have difficulty breathing and may present with the classic drooling sign due to the inability to swallow saliva. Prompt medical intervention, including airway management and appropriate antibiotics, is essential in this situation.

Choice D rationale:

A child with a urinary tract infection and bright red blood in her urine requires medical evaluation, but this condition is not as urgent as acute epiglottitis. Hematuria (blood in the urine) can have various causes, including urinary tract infections or kidney stones. While the child should receive medical attention, it does not take precedence over the immediate threat posed by acute epiglottitis, which requires urgent intervention to maintain the airway.