Exhibits

A nurse is collecting data from a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider? (Click on the "Exhibit" button for additional information about the client. There are three tabs that contain separate categories of data.)

Rationale:

• Insert a peripheral IV catheter: A peripheral IV catheter is essential for administering fluids and medications, which is critical for this adolescent, especially with the concern for bacterial meningitis.
• Place the adolescent on a cooling blanket: The adolescent has a high fever (39°C), which needs to be managed promptly to prevent further complications. A cooling blanket helps reduce the fever and manage the patient’s temperature.
• Administer IV acyclovir: Acyclovir is an antiviral medication typically used to treat viral infections such as herpes simplex virus or varicella-zoster virus, not bacterial meningitis. Given the CSF findings and suspected bacterial meningitis, acyclovir is not appropriate. Antibiotics like cefotaxime are indicated instead.
• Place on seizure precautions: Given the adolescent's symptoms (e.g., headache, photophobia, lethargy), the risk of seizures is elevated, especially if meningitis is suspected. Seizure precautions are important to prevent injury during a potential seizure.
• Keep adolescent flat in bed for 24 hr post lumbar puncture: After a lumbar puncture, keeping the adolescent flat in bed for 24 hours helps prevent post-lumbar puncture headaches and minimizes the risk of cerebrospinal fluid leaks or complications.
• Administer IV cefotaxime: IV cefotaxime is an appropriate antibiotic for treating bacterial meningitis. Given the abnormal CSF results (low glucose, high protein, elevated WBC), the adolescent is at high risk for bacterial meningitis, and IV cefotaxime is expected to be part of the treatment plan.

A. "It measures the amount of oxygen circulating in the blood." The HbA1c test does not measure oxygen levels. Oxygen levels in the blood are measured through tests like pulse oximetry or arterial blood gas tests.
B. "It measures the amount of immature white blood cells." The HbA1c test measures the average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months, not white blood cells. The immature white blood cell count is assessed through a different blood test (e.g., a complete blood count).
C. "It measures the glucose circulating in the blood stream." The HbA1c test reflects the average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months by measuring the percentage of hemoglobin that has glucose attached to it.
D. "It measures the amount of red blood cells." The HbA1c test does not measure the number of red blood cells; it measures the percentage of hemoglobin in red blood cells that is bound to glucose, which helps assess blood sugar control over time.