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
Obtaining a throat culture is contraindicated in suspected epiglottitis. This procedure can cause further irritation and potentially lead to airway obstruction. Epiglottitis is a medical emergency, and the priority is to maintain a patent airway.
Choice B rationale
Placing the child in an upright position is the correct action. This position helps improve breathing and reduces the risk of airway obstruction. It also allows for better visualization and assessment of the child’s respiratory status.
Choice C rationale
Visualizing the epiglottis with a tongue depressor is not recommended in suspected epiglottitis. This action can cause further irritation and potentially lead to airway obstruction. The priority is to maintain a patent airway and avoid any procedures that could exacerbate the condition.
Choice D rationale
Transporting the child to radiology for a throat x-ray is not the immediate priority. While imaging may be necessary for diagnosis, the primary focus should be on maintaining a patent airway and ensuring the child’s respiratory status is stable.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Wilms tumor, also known as nephroblastoma, is a type of kidney cancer that primarily affects children. It is crucial not to palpate the abdomen of a child with a suspected Wilms tumor because this can cause the tumor to rupture and spread cancerous cells to other parts of the body.
Choice B rationale
This choice is incorrect because there is no specific restriction on venipuncture or blood pressure measurements in the left arm for children with Wilms tumor. This precaution is typically associated with conditions like lymphedema or after a mastectomy.
Choice C rationale
Collecting all urine is not a specific precaution for Wilms tumor. While monitoring urine output can be important in various conditions, it is not a primary concern for Wilms tumor.
Choice D rationale
Contact precautions are not necessary for Wilms tumor as it is not an infectious disease. Contact precautions are typically used for conditions that are contagious or spread through direct contact.