The nurse is caring for a school-age girl who has had a cardiac catheterization. The child tells the nurse that her bandage is "too wet." The nurse finds the bandage and bed soaked with blood. What is the most appropriate initial nursing action?

The correct answer is choice C. After taking antibiotics for 24 hours.

Choice A rationale:

Returning to school if no complications develop is not a sufficient guideline for allowing a child with streptococcal pharyngitis to return to school. Streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat) is highly contagious, and children should be treated with antibiotics to prevent the spread of the infection.

Choice B rationale:

Waiting until the sore throat is better is not a specific enough criterion for returning to school. While the resolution of symptoms is an important factor, it's crucial to ensure that the child has also been on antibiotics for an appropriate duration to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.

Choice C rationale:

The recommended guideline is to return to school after taking antibiotics for 24 hours. This timeframe helps ensure that the child's contagiousness is significantly reduced, minimizing the risk of transmitting the infection to classmates and school staff.

Choice D rationale:

Waiting for three days after taking antibiotics is not as precise as waiting for 24 hours. With proper antibiotic treatment, the child's contagiousness decreases rapidly, and waiting for three days might be unnecessary and could potentially result in more missed school days than needed.

The correct answer is choice D. Epiglottitis.

Choice A rationale:

Laryngotracheobronchitis (LTB) is a viral infection commonly known as "croup." While it can cause airway inflammation and respiratory distress, it is usually not considered a medical emergency. LTB is characterized by barking cough, stridor, and hoarseness. It typically responds well to supportive care, humidity, and sometimes oral corticosteroids.

Choice B rationale:

Spasmodic croup is another type of viral croup, often triggered by allergies or irritants. It is characterized by sudden onset of symptoms, usually at night, including stridor and a barking cough. While it can be distressing, it is generally not considered a medical emergency. It usually responds to humidity and sometimes oral corticosteroids.

Choice C rationale:

Laryngitis involves inflammation of the larynx and is often caused by viral infections or excessive voice use. While it can lead to hoarseness and voice changes, it does not typically cause severe respiratory distress and is not considered a medical emergency. Resting the voice and staying hydrated are common interventions.

Choice D rationale:

Epiglottitis is a potentially life-threatening condition that causes inflammation of the epiglottis, a flap of tissue that prevents food from entering the windpipe during swallowing. It can rapidly progress to airway obstruction and respiratory failure. Children with epiglottitis often assume a "tripod" position, leaning forward to maintain an open airway. Immediate medical intervention, including securing the airway and administering antibiotics, is crucial.