The nurse is preparing to care for a child with a diagnosis of intussusception. The nurse reviews the child's record and expects to note which sign of this disorder documented?

A. "Newborns are abdominal breathers."
Explanation: While it is true that newborns primarily use their diaphragms for breathing (abdominal breathing), this statement does not specifically address why the respiratory rate should be counted for a full minute.
B. "Activity will increase the respiratory rate."
Explanation: This statement acknowledges that activity can influence the respiratory rate but does not specifically address the need to count for a full minute to capture the irregular patterns.
C. "Newborns do not expand their lungs fully with each respiration."
Explanation: This statement highlights a characteristic of newborn respiratory physiology but does not specifically explain the importance of counting the respiratory rate for a full minute.
D. "The rate and rhythm of breath are irregular in newborns."
Explanation:
Newborns often have irregular breathing patterns, and counting the respiratory rate for a full minute helps capture the variations in rate and rhythm accurately. Newborns may experience periods of rapid breathing followed by periods of slower breathing, and their respiratory patterns can be influenced by sleep-wake cycles, feeding, and other factors. Counting for a full minute provides a more comprehensive and representative assessment of the newborn's respiratory status.

A. Contact the assigned emergency room physician to evaluate the need for an advanced airway
Explanation:
Epiglottitis is a medical emergency that can rapidly progress to airway obstruction. The classic signs and symptoms include a high fever, difficulty swallowing, voice hoarseness, inspiratory stridor, and sternal retractions. Immediate intervention may be necessary to secure the airway. Therefore, contacting the emergency room physician to evaluate the need for an advanced airway (such as intubation) is a priority.
B. Administer intravenous corticosteroids
Explanation: While corticosteroids may be used in the management of epiglottitis to reduce airway inflammation, securing the airway is the priority in the acute phase. Corticosteroids would typically be administered after securing the airway.
C. Obtain a throat culture
Explanation: Obtaining a throat culture is not the immediate priority in the case of suspected epiglottitis. Prompt intervention to secure the airway takes precedence over diagnostic tests.
D. Inspect the throat to obtain further data to support the diagnosis
Explanation: Direct visualization of the throat (inspection) may exacerbate the airway obstruction and is not recommended in the acute management of suspected epiglottitis. The priority is to secure the airway while minimizing agitation and discomfort for the child. Diagnostic procedures, such as obtaining a throat culture, can be considered after the airway is stabilized.