A nurse on a pediatric unit is assisting with the admission of a toddler who has pneumonia. The nurse should identify that which of the following findings is an expected behavior of hospitalization?

Choice A reason:

The nurse should not initiate contact precautions for a child with suspected epiglottitis. Epiglottitis is primarily caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B, and it spreads through respiratory droplets. Contact precautions are not necessary as the transmission occurs through droplets, and standard precautions should be sufficient.

Choice B reason:

The nurse should monitor pulse oximetry. Epiglottitis is a condition where the epiglottis becomes inflamed and swollen, potentially blocking the airway. Monitoring the child's pulse oximetry helps assess their oxygen saturation levels, which is crucial in determining if there is adequate oxygenation. If the oxygen saturation drops significantly, immediate intervention might be needed to maintain the child's airway and prevent hypoxia.

Choice C reason:

Obtaining a throat culture is not an appropriate intervention for suspected epiglottitis. In cases of suspected epiglottitis, the priority is to ensure the child's airway is maintained and that they receive appropriate medical attention promptly. Throat culture collection involves swabbing the throat to identify the infectious agent and is not a priority in this urgent situation.

Choice D reason:

Administering epinephrine IM is not indicated for suspected epiglottitis. Epinephrine is typically used to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and not for managing epiglottitis. The primary focus in epiglottitis is securing the airway and providing appropriate medical treatment, which might include antibiotics and respiratory support.

The fracture does not cross through the bone. Choice A reason:

The statement in Choice A is incorrect because it describes a greenstick fracture as the bone bending and causing a microscopic fracture line. This is not true for a greenstick fracture. A greenstick fracture is an incomplete fracture where the bone bends and partially breaks on one side while remaining intact on the other side. The rationale for this is that pediatric bones are more flexible than adult bones, and when a force is applied, they tend to bend rather than completely break.

Choice B reason:

Choice B is the correct answer. A greenstick fracture does not cross through the bone; it involves only one side of the bone being broken while the other side remains intact. This type of fracture is common in children because their bones are still developing and contain more collagen, making them more flexible and prone to bending rather than breaking completely.

Choice C reason:

The statement in Choice C is incorrect because it describes a different type of fracture. A compressed fracture involves the bone being crushed or shortened, leading to a raised area at the fracture site. This is not characteristic of a greenstick fracture, which involves bending and partial breakage rather than compression.

Choice D reason:

The statement in Choice D is incorrect because it describes a complete fracture that completely divides the bone into two separate pieces. A greenstick fracture, as explained earlier, is an incomplete fracture and does not completely divide the bone.