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 D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While some children may pull their ears when they have a cold, it is not a definitive sign of acute nasopharyngitis. Ear pulling can also indicate other issues such as ear infections.
Choice B rationale
Antibiotics are not typically prescribed for acute nasopharyngitis, as it is usually caused by a viral infection. Antibiotics are only used if there is a secondary bacterial infection.
Choice C rationale
Healthy children can have multiple colds per year, especially if they are exposed to other children in settings like daycare or school. It is not uncommon for children to have several colds annually.
Choice D rationale
A cough that accompanies a cold should not be suppressed as it helps clear mucus from the airways. Suppressing the cough can lead to mucus buildup and potential complications.
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.