Before administering a scheduled dose of insulin to a 10-year-old child who is learning diabetic self-care, which information is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to ask the child?

Hives (also known as urticaria) are raised, red, itchy welts on the skin that can be caused by an allergic reaction to medication, including antibiotics. It is essential for the PN to recognize this potentially severe allergic reaction and take immediate action.

Immediate action steps include:

1. Stop the infusion of the intravenous antibiotic immediately.
2. Notify the healthcare provider and report the allergic reaction.
3. Assess the client's airway, breathing, and circulation to ensure there are no signs of respiratory distress or anaphylaxis.
4. Administer prescribed emergency medications if needed (e.g., epinephrine, antihistamines).
5. Monitor the client closely for any further signs of an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis.

The other assessment findings mentioned are also important to address, but they do not require immediate action:

A- Dry mouth with thirst: This may indicate dehydration, which should be addressed by encouraging the client to drink fluids, but it does not pose an immediate threat to the client's safety.

B- Warm skin with elastic turgor: This suggests that the client is adequately hydrated, and the skin's elasticity is normal, which is a positive finding.

C- Low-grade fever with diaphoresis: A low-grade fever indicates a mild elevation in temperature, and diaphoresis (sweating) may be the body's response to regulate temperature. The PN should monitor the client's temperature and assess for other signs of infection, but this finding does not require immediate action

Hoarseness or voice changes after thyroidectomy can be indicative of injury or irritation to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which is responsible for controlling the vocal cords. This is a potential complication of the surgery and should be reported to the charge nurse or healthcare provider for further evaluation and management.

B. Administer humidified oxygen per nasal cannula: This option is not appropriate for addressing hoarseness in a client following a thyroidectomy. Hoarseness after a thyroidectomy is typically related to vocal cord injury or irritation, and providing humidified oxygen would not directly address this issue. It is important to notify the charge nurse or healthcare provider for further evaluation and management.
C. Obtain a cup of ice chips for the client: Providing ice chips is not the appropriate action for hoarseness following a thyroidectomy. Ice chips are typically used to provide hydration and comfort to clients, but they do not directly address the underlying cause of hoarseness, which in this case may be vocal cord injury or irritation. It is important to notify the charge nurse or healthcare provider for appropriate evaluation and management.
D. Ensure that the drainage device is compressed: While ensuring proper compression of a drainage device is important for preventing complications such as bleeding or infection, it is not directly related to the client's hoarseness. Hoarseness after a thyroidectomy is more likely related to vocal cord injury or irritation, and notifying the charge nurse or healthcare provider is necessary for further assessment and management.