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 C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Placing the child on a no-salt-added diet is important for managing fluid retention and hypertension in acute glomerulonephritis, but it is not the immediate priority.
Choice B rationale
Educating the parents about potential complications is essential for long-term management, but it is not the immediate priority in an acute setting.
Choice C rationale
Checking the child’s daily weight is the priority action because it helps monitor fluid balance and detect any signs of fluid retention or worsening condition. Accurate daily weight measurements are crucial for assessing the effectiveness of treatment and making necessary adjustments.
Choice D rationale
Maintaining a saline-lock is important for intravenous access, but it is not the immediate priority compared to monitoring fluid balance through daily weight checks.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Offering clear liquids for the first 24 hours is not necessary after a cardiac catheterization. The child can resume a normal diet as tolerated unless otherwise instructed by the healthcare provider. Clear liquids are typically recommended after procedures involving the gastrointestinal tract to prevent nausea and vomiting, but this is not the case here.
Choice B rationale
Keeping the child home for a week is not required. The child can usually return to normal activities within a day or two, depending on the healthcare provider’s instructions. Prolonged rest is not necessary unless there are complications or specific instructions from the healthcare provider.
Choice C rationale
Acetaminophen is recommended for discomfort because it is effective in managing mild to moderate pain and has a low risk of side effects. It is important to avoid medications that can increase bleeding risk, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, especially after a procedure like cardiac catheterization.
Choice D rationale
Assisting the child to take a tub bath for the first 3 days is not recommended. It is generally advised to avoid submerging the catheter insertion site in water to prevent infection. Sponge baths are usually recommended until the site has healed.