Exhibits

The parents are at the bedside and state that each parent thought the other parent was watching the child. They are not sure how long he was in the pool or how he might have fallen in. The temperature of the pool was cool as the temperature outside was about 64 °F (17.8 °C).

Placed a cervical collar with the assistance of the physician. The child's pulse is 121 beats/minute, the airway is patent, and there are no signs of any bleeding.

Review H and P, nurse's note, laboratory results, orders, and imaging studies. What complications should the nurse monitor for in the next 6 to 8 hours? Select all that apply.

Choice A rationale: Hypoxic-ischemic injury from submersion can lead to delayed cerebral edema. Monitoring is critical as the brain's inflammatory response to the initial insult often peaks several hours after the event.

Choice B rationale: Asphyxia is the initial event that occurred in the pool. By the time the child is admitted to the pediatric floor, the asphyxiation event has passed; the nurse now monitors for its aftereffects.

Choice C rationale: Near-drowning victims are more likely to experience hypotension due to myocardial depression or shifting fluid balances. Hypertension is not a typical expected complication in the immediate post-submersion recovery period.

Choice D rationale: Aspiration of water interferes with surfactant production and damages alveolar membranes, leading to pulmonary edema or ARDS. Respiratory status can deteriorate rapidly 6 to 8 hours after the initial insult.

Choice E rationale: The child was in cool water with an outdoor temperature of 64°F, making hypothermia the primary concern. Hyperthermia is not expected unless a secondary infection or a thermregulation failure occurs much later.

Choice F rationale: The head CT scan was negative for bleeding. Without a significant traumatic impact or pre-existing condition, a subdural hemorrhage is not a standard complication resulting from a submersion injury.