The nurse continues to care for the client.

Exhibits

The nurse administers the client's scheduled medication. Which of the following adverse effects of the medication should the nurse monitor the client for? Select all that apply.

Rationale:

• Temperature: The child’s temperature is 37.4°C (99.3°F), which is mildly elevated. Crohn’s disease typically causes intermittent fever during flare-ups. Appendicitis often presents with a higher fever in later stages. Intussusception can cause low-grade fever due to bowel inflammation, making it the most consistent with this finding.
• Vomiting: Vomiting is uncommon in Crohn’s disease unless there’s obstruction or severe disease. In appendicitis, vomiting usually follows the onset of pain and is related to peritoneal irritation. Intussusception often involves vomiting early due to intermittent bowel obstruction, making it consistent with this client’s symptoms.
• Pain rating: A FLACC score of 5 indicates moderate pain. Crohn’s pain tends to be chronic and crampy rather than episodic. Appendicitis pain worsens over time and becomes localized, typically in the right lower quadrant. Intussusception causes intermittent, severe abdominal pain with sudden relief, matching the child’s pain episodes and behavior.
• Abdominal findings: Crohn’s disease rarely produces a palpable abdominal mass or sudden distension. Appendicitis can cause right-sided tenderness and decreased bowel sounds but does not typically involve a mass. Intussusception often presents with a distended abdomen, hypoactive bowel sounds, and a sausage-shaped mass in the right upper quadrant, as described.
• Stool: Crohn’s disease can lead to bloody, mucus-filled stools due to ulceration in the intestinal lining. Appendicitis does not typically alter stool characteristics unless perforation occurs. Intussusception is well known for producing “currant jelly” stools, composed of blood and mucus, aligning with this child’s bowel movement description.

Rationale:

A. "Remove a plug from the socket by pulling the cord": Yanking the cord can damage the cord, loosen wiring, and increase the risk of sparks or electrical fire. The correct method is to grasp the plug firmly and pull it straight out to avoid strain on the wire connections.

B. "Use three-pronged grounded plugs": Three-pronged plugs provide a grounding mechanism that reduces the risk of electric shock and fire. Grounded outlets redirect excess electricity safely into the ground if a fault occurs, making them a key part of electrical safety.

C. "Check for a tingling sensation around the cord": A tingling sensation can indicate an electrical short or exposed wiring, which is a serious safety hazard. While it’s important to report and stop using such cords, the focus should be on prevention before such issues arise.

D. "Cover extension cords with a rug": Covering cords with rugs can trap heat, cause insulation to wear down, and increase fire risk. Cords should be left uncovered and positioned to avoid foot traffic while maintaining ventilation to prevent overheating.