A nurse is caring for a child who has a suspected diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Which of the following actions is the nurse’s priority?
Obtain blood cultures.
Administer an intravenous antibiotic.
Prepare the child for a lumbar puncture.
Place the child in isolation.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Obtaining blood cultures is important for identifying the causative organism, but it should be done immediately before or concurrently with the administration of antibiotics.
Choice B rationale
Administering an intravenous antibiotic is the priority action for a child with suspected bacterial meningitis. Early administration of antibiotics is crucial to treat the infection and prevent complications such as brain swelling and seizures.
Choice C rationale
Preparing the child for a lumbar puncture is necessary for diagnosing meningitis, but it should not delay the administration of antibiotics.
Choice D rationale
Placing the child in isolation is important to prevent the spread of infection, but it is not the immediate priority over administering antibiotics.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Turning the child’s head to the side and pressing on the nasal ridge is not the recommended method for managing nosebleeds. This position can cause blood to flow into the throat, leading to swallowing blood and potential vomiting.
Choice B rationale
Sitting the child upright and leaning slightly forward while applying pressure to the sides of the nose is the correct method. This position helps prevent blood from flowing into the throat and allows it to clot more effectively.
Choice C rationale
Having the child lie flat and apply pressure to the cheeks is not effective for stopping a nosebleed. This position can cause blood to flow into the throat, leading to swallowing blood and potential vomiting.
Choice D rationale
Putting the child in bed, elevating the head slightly, and pressing on the forehead is not effective for stopping a nosebleed. The pressure needs to be applied directly to the soft part of the nose to control the bleeding.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Sitting on a nurse’s lap leaning forward is a position that can be used for postural drainage in infants with cystic fibrosis. This position helps drain secretions from the upper lobes of the lungs.
Choice B rationale
The supine position (lying on the back) is also used for postural drainage to target different areas of the lungs. It is not contraindicated for infants with cystic fibrosis.
Choice C rationale
Sitting on a nurse’s lap leaning backward is another position that can be used for postural drainage. This position helps drain secretions from the lower lobes of the lungs.
Choice D rationale
The Trendelenburg position (lying flat on the back with the feet elevated higher than the head) is contraindicated for infants with cystic fibrosis. This position can increase the risk of gastroesophageal reflux and aspiration, which can worsen respiratory symptoms.