The nurse is reviewing the history and physical notes, as well as the nurse’s notes and laboratory results for a child.
The child is developmentally appropriate, interacting with his parents, and is in the percentile for weight and height.
The child’s lung sounds are clear and equal, a murmur is noted upon auscultation, and clubbing of the fingers is observed.
There is no skin breakdown, and the mucous membranes are pink and moist.
What condition is the child most likely experiencing, what two actions should the nurse take for this condition, and what two parameters should the nurse monitor to assess the child’s progress?

Choice A rationale

The patient vomiting at home for 3 days prior to surgery is crucial information that the PACU nurse should report. This could indicate a pre-existing condition or complication that needs to be addressed in the patient’s post-operative care plan.

Choice B rationale

While the patient refusing to take ice chips despite complaining of dry mouth is an important observation, it is not as critical as the patient’s pre-operative condition (vomiting for 3 days). The refusal of ice chips could be addressed through patient education and encouragement.

Choice C rationale

The presence of peripheral pulses and full range of motion in both legs is expected and normal in a post-operative patient, unless there were complications during surgery that could affect these observations. Therefore, this information, while important, is not as critical as the patient’s pre-operative condition.

Choice D rationale

The condition of the patient’s abdomen (soft, bowel sounds absent) and the absence of bleeding on the dressing are expected observations in a patient who has undergone an exploratory laparotomy. These observations, while important, do not provide additional critical information that the PACU nurse should report.

Based on the client’s current condition and the urgency of the interventions, the nurse should complete the following prescriptions first:

• C) Apply oxygen 1 L/minute: The client’s oxygen saturation level needs to be kept above 94%. Given her difficulty in breathing and the fact that she is pale and sitting upright, it’s crucial to ensure she is receiving enough oxygen.
• D) Give albuterol as ordered: Albuterol is a bronchodilator that can help relieve the client’s asthma symptoms. Since her symptoms did not resolve after taking her usual dose of albuterol, administering another dose as ordered can help improve her breathing.