A nurse at a pediatric hotline receives a call from a mother who plans to administer aspirin to a toddler for a fever and wants to know the dosage. Which of the following statements by the nurse is an appropriate response?
"Give her acetaminophen, not aspirin."
"You'll have to call your physician."
"Give her no more than three baby aspirin every 4 hours."
"Follow the directions on the aspirin bottle for her age and weight."
The Correct Answer is A
A. "Give her acetaminophen, not aspirin.": Aspirin is contraindicated in children due to the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious condition that affects the liver and brain, especially during viral illnesses like the flu or chickenpox. Acetaminophen is a safer alternative for fever management in children.
B. "You'll have to call your physician.": While seeking physician advice is important, the nurse has a duty to provide accurate, immediate, evidence-based guidance to prevent harm.
C. "Give her no more than three baby aspirin every 4 hours.": Recommending aspirin dosing is unsafe due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.
D. "Follow the directions on the aspirin bottle for her age and weight.": Providing this advice without addressing safety concerns is inappropriate and potentially harmful.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. CBC: A CBC can indicate infection (elevated white blood cell count), but it is not specific for meningitis.
B. Urinalysis: Urinalysis is not relevant for diagnosing meningitis.
C. CT scan: A CT scan can detect complications like increased intracranial pressure but does not diagnose meningitis directly.
D. Lumbar puncture: A lumbar puncture allows direct analysis of CSF for glucose, protein, white blood cells, and organisms, which is definitive for diagnosing meningitis.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Integumentary: Meningitis affects the central nervous system (CNS), not the skin, though a rash can sometimes appear with meningococcal meningitis.
B. Digestive: Digestive symptoms like nausea and vomiting may occur, but the primary system affected is the CNS.
C. Central Nervous: Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, which are protective coverings of the brain and spinal cord in the CNS.
D. Cardiopulmonary: Cardiopulmonary symptoms are not primary features of meningitis, though severe cases may affect vital systems indirectly.