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

Diaphragmatic respirations are normal in infants and do not necessarily indicate acute respiratory distress.

Choice B rationale

A resting respiratory rate of 35 breaths/min is within the normal range for a 4-month-old infant and does not necessarily indicate acute respiratory distress.

Choice C rationale

Bilateral bronchial breath sounds are normal findings and do not necessarily indicate acute respiratory distress.

Choice D rationale

Flaring of the nares, or nostrils, is a sign of respiratory distress in children. It indicates that the child is having to work harder to breathe.

Choice A rationale

Initiating bilateral intermittent sequential pneumatic compression devices is not the most appropriate immediate intervention for a patient showing signs of a possible stroke. These devices are typically used to prevent deep vein thrombosis in patients who are immobile, not for stroke management.

Choice B rationale

Raising the head of the bed to 30 degrees and keeping the head and neck in neutral alignment is the correct intervention. This position can help reduce intracranial pressure and facilitate venous drainage. In the case of a suspected stroke, it’s crucial to maintain proper cerebral blood flow.

Choice C rationale

Maintaining elevated positioning of the dependent joints on the affected side is not the immediate priority in stroke management. While it’s important to prevent contractures and maintain functional positioning, the immediate concern is to stabilize the patient’s condition.

Choice D rationale

Obtaining a focused history to determine recent bleeding and use of anticoagulants is important, but it’s not the first intervention. While this information will be necessary for the healthcare provider to determine the appropriate course of treatment, the immediate priority is to manage the patient’s acute symptoms.