When advising a new mother in caring for a child with croup, which symptom should be a priority concern to the telephone triage nurse?
Fever 101.0° F (38.3° C)
Difficulty swallowing secretions.
Barking cough, worse at night.
Cries often when nursing.
The Correct Answer is B
When advising a new mother in caring for a child with croup, the symptom that should be a priority concern to the telephone triage nurse is B.
Explanation:
A. A fever of 101.0°F (38.3°C) is a common symptom in many childhood illnesses, including croup, but it is not the primary concern when difficulty swallowing secretions is present.
B Difficulty swallowing secretions.
Croup is characterized by a barking cough and may also be associated with stridor (noisy breathing), hoarseness, and difficulty swallowing secretions. While all the symptoms mentioned can be concerning, difficulty swallowing secretions is a priority concern because it can potentially lead to respiratory distress if not managed appropriately. Thick secretions can cause airway obstruction, and prompt assessment and intervention are needed to ensure the child's airway remains clear and that the child is able to breathe effectively.
C. A barking cough, worse at night, is a classic symptom of croup and should be addressed, but difficulty swallowing secretions can have a more direct impact on the child's airway.
D. Crying often when nursing may be related to the discomfort caused by croup, but it is not as immediately concerning as difficulty swallowing secretions.
While the barking cough, hoarseness, and other croup symptoms should also be addressed, the priority is ensuring that the child is able to manage secretions effectively without respiratory distress. The telephone triage nurse should provide guidance to the mother on how to help the child manage these secretions and when to seek medical attention if the situation worsens.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Report the assessment to the healthcare provider.
The changing color of the inguinal hernia to dark purple is concerning and may indicate a possible strangulated hernia, which is a surgical emergency. Additionally, the absence of a bowel movement for 24 hours raises concerns about possible bowel obstruction or compromise. The FLACC score of 8 on the initial assessment suggests that the infant is experiencing significant discomfort or pain.
Therefore, the priority is to report the assessment findings to the healthcare provider to ensure timely evaluation and intervention. The healthcare provider needs to assess the hernia, determine if it is strangulated, and decide on the appropriate course of action, which may include surgery. It is essential to act promptly in this situation to prevent potential complications.
B. Determining when oral fluids were last taken is relevant but should not take precedence over the potential surgical emergency of a strangulated hernia.
C. Attempting to reduce the hernia manually is not advisable in this situation, as it may worsen the condition if the hernia is strangulated.
D. Preparing to initiate venous access for an intravenous (IV) infusion is a consideration but should follow the assessment and reporting of the potential surgical emergency. Intravenous access may be needed as part of the overall management, but the priority is to ensure the infant receives appropriate surgical evaluation and intervention.
A. Report the assessment to the healthcare provider.
The changing color of the inguinal hernia to dark purple is concerning and may indicate a possible strangulated hernia, which is a surgical emergency. Additionally, the absence of a bowel movement for 24 hours raises concerns about possible bowel obstruction or compromise. The FLACC score of 8 on the initial assessment suggests that the infant is experiencing significant discomfort or pain.
Therefore, the priority is to report the assessment findings to the healthcare provider to ensure timely evaluation and intervention. The healthcare provider needs to assess the hernia, determine if it is strangulated, and decide on the appropriate course of action, which may include surgery. It is essential to act promptly in this situation to prevent potential complications.
B. Determining when oral fluids were last taken is relevant but should not take precedence over the potential surgical emergency of a strangulated hernia.
C. Attempting to reduce the hernia manually is not advisable in this situation, as it may worsen the condition if the hernia is strangulated.
D. Preparing to initiate venous access for an intravenous (IV) infusion is a consideration but should follow the assessment and reporting of the potential surgical emergency. Intravenous access may be needed as part of the overall management, but the priority is to ensure the infant receives appropriate surgical evaluation and intervention.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Assessing for teeth clenching or grinding is not the most appropriate assessment in this situation. While teeth clenching or grinding may indicate discomfort or anxiety, it may not directly address the specific concern of post-operative bleeding after a tonsillectomy.
B Inspect the posterior oropharynx.
Observing a child who has had a tonsillectomy frequently swallowing may raise concerns about post-operative bleeding. Inspecting the posterior oropharynx is essential to assess for any signs of bleeding, such as fresh blood or bleeding sites.
C. Asking the child to speak to evaluate a change in voice tone is not the primary assessment needed in this scenario. The primary concern is to assess for any signs of bleeding, and this can be done by inspecting the posterior oropharynx.
D. Touching the tonsillar pillars to stimulate the gag reflex is not necessary and may not be well-tolerated by the child who has had a tonsillectomy. It's also not the primary assessment to address the concern of post-operative bleeding.
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