A nurse is providing site care for a child who a gastrostomy enteral tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A) Initiate droplet precautions: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is primarily spread through contact with respiratory secretions, and droplet precautions are essential to prevent transmission. While RSV is commonly transmitted via direct contact or droplets, additional precautions like contact precautions may also be required, but droplet precautions should definitely be initiated as part of standard care to prevent the spread of the virus to others.

B) Monitor the preschooler’s urine for protein: Monitoring the urine for protein is not a standard action related to RSV. RSV is a respiratory virus, and its primary symptoms and complications involve the respiratory system, such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, or respiratory distress. There is no direct link between RSV and proteinuria, so this action is not necessary.

C) Administer fluconazole to the preschooler: Fluconazole is an antifungal medication, and it is not used to treat respiratory syncytial virus. RSV is a viral infection, so antiviral medications or supportive care like oxygen therapy, hydration, and possibly bronchodilators may be more appropriate. Fluconazole would not be appropriate for treating a viral infection like RSV.

D) Request an x-ray of the preschooler’s neck: An x-ray of the neck is generally not indicated for RSV unless there is a specific concern about airway obstruction or another condition like croup, which may present with symptoms similar to RSV. RSV primarily affects the lower respiratory tract, leading to symptoms like wheezing, cough, and difficulty breathing, not necessarily requiring a neck x-ray.

A) Medical health insurance claims:
Medical health insurance claims are not relevant to the referral for physical therapy. This information is typically handled by billing departments and insurance providers. The focus of a physical therapy referral is on the patient's clinical condition and needs, not their insurance coverage.

B) Physical assessment findings:
This is the most relevant information to include in a referral for physical therapy. The physical assessment findings provide the physical therapist with important details about the client's mobility, strength, range of motion, and other factors that can guide the creation of an individualized therapy plan. These findings help the therapist understand the client's current physical capabilities and limitations.

C) Medications taken prior to admission:
While it is important for the healthcare team to be aware of the medications a client is taking, this information is not as crucial for the physical therapy referral itself. The physical therapist may need to know about medications if they have a direct impact on the client's physical functioning (e.g., sedatives or pain medications), but the primary focus for the referral would be on the physical assessment findings.

D) Family medical history:
Family medical history is typically relevant to a broader health assessment but is not generally included in a referral for physical therapy. The therapist will be more concerned with the client's current physical condition and functional abilities rather than the medical history of the client's family.