The nurse is triaging several children as they present to the emergency room after a school bus accident. Which child requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse?
A 12-year-old reporting neck, arm, and lower back discomfort.
An 8-year-old with a full leg air splint for a possible broken tibia.
A 6-year-old with multiple superficial lacerations of all extremities.
An 11-year-old with a headache, nausea, and projectile vomiting.
The Correct Answer is D
A. A 12-year-old reporting neck, arm, and lower back discomfort:
- This child is reporting discomfort, which is concerning, but it doesn't indicate an immediate life-threatening condition. However, a thorough assessment is needed to rule out any serious injuries, especially to the spine.
B. An 8-year-old with a full leg air splint for a possible broken tibia:
- While a possible broken tibia requires attention, it is not as immediately critical as symptoms such as projectile vomiting. Splinting can help stabilize the limb, but it is not an emergency that requires immediate attention compared to potential neurological issues.
C. A 6-year-old with multiple superficial lacerations of all extremities:
- Superficial lacerations, although they require care, are generally not immediately life-threatening. The child needs appropriate wound care and assessment for any deeper injuries, but this can be addressed in a timely manner without immediate urgency.
D. An 11-year-old with a headache, nausea, and projectile vomiting:
- This is the most concerning presentation among the options. Headache, nausea, and projectile vomiting could be indicative of a severe head injury, and these neurological symptoms require urgent evaluation to assess for conditions such as a concussion, intracranial bleed, or increased intracranial pressure.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D","E"]
Explanation
It is important to assess the child's vital signs, including oxygen saturation (SaO2), to ensure their stability and identify any signs of respiratory distress or other abnormalities that may impact medication administration.
Prior to administering any medication, it is crucial to verify if the child has any known allergies to medications. This information is essential for ensuring the safety of the child and preventing any potential allergic reactions.
Before administering pain medication, the nurse must verify that the prescribed dosage is appropriate for the child's age, weight, and condition. Ensuring the correct dosage helps prevent medication errors and potential adverse effects.
It is important to use a validated pain assessment tool that is appropriate for the child's age and cognitive abilities. This allows for a comprehensive and accurate assessment of the child's pain level, helping guide appropriate pain management interventions.
Considering the child has cognitive and speech delays, the input from the parent regarding the child's pain is valuable. The nurse should assess and consider the parent's report of the child's pain in conjunction with other assessment findings to ensure effective pain management.
Subjective pain assessment is mentioned as a finding but may not require immediate action, as it needs to be combined with other assessment data for a comprehensive evaluation.
Correct Answer is A,B,C,D,E
Explanation
A) This is because the client is experiencing an allergic reaction to piperacillin, which can be life-threatening. The nurse should stop the infusion immediately to prevent further exposure to the drug and assess vital signs to monitor for signs of anaphylaxis, such as hypotension, tachycardia, wheezes, or stridor.
B) Assessing vital signs is a priority to determine the severity of the reaction and the client's overall condition.
C) The nurse should contact the healthcare provider to report the situation and obtain orders for treatment, such as antihistamines, corticosteroids, or epinephrine.
D) The nurse should initiate an adverse event report to document the incident and follow the facility's protocol for reporting medication errors.
E) The nurse should also document the reaction to the drug in the client's chart and notify the pharmacy to avoid future administration of piperacillin or related antibiotics.
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