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.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Reading a story every night is beneficial for cognitive and language development but does not specifically address the developmental task of autonomy versus shame and doubt, which is the focus for toddlers according to Erikson.
Choice B rationale
Allowing a toddler to pull a talking-duck toy fosters autonomy and independence, which are key aspects of Erikson’s developmental stage for toddlers. This activity encourages the child to explore and make choices independently.
Choice C rationale
Feeding the toddler his lunch does not promote autonomy. Instead, it may contribute to dependence, which is contrary to the developmental task of this age group.
Choice D rationale
Watching a puppet show on television is a passive activity that does not actively engage the child in developing autonomy or independence.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Encouraging regular activity level as soon as possible is not appropriate for a child with streptococcal pharyngitis. Rest is important to allow the body to recover and prevent complications.
Choice B rationale
Completing the entire course of antibiotics is crucial to prevent complications such as rheumatic fever, which can result from untreated or partially treated streptococcal infections.
Choice C rationale
Expecting the lymph nodes to swell and obstruct the airway is not a typical outcome of streptococcal pharyngitis. While lymph node swelling can occur, it usually does not obstruct the airway.
Choice D rationale
Being aware that the infection may spread and cause a tooth abscess is not a common complication of streptococcal pharyngitis. The primary concern is preventing complications like rheumatic fever and ensuring complete recovery.