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 A
Explanation
ChoiceA rationale
Theapexoftheheart(apicalpulse)isthepreferredsiteforassessingtheheartrateininfants.It is located at the point of maximal impulse (PMI) and provides the most accuratemeasurementof theheartrateinthisagegroup.
ChoiceB rationale
The brachial artery is not the preferred site for assessing the heart rate in infants. While it canbeused forbloodpressuremeasurement,itisnotasaccurateastheapicalpulseforheartrateassessment.
ChoiceCrationale
Theradialarteryisnottypicallyusedforassessingthe heartrateininfants.Itismorecommonlyusedinolderchildren andadults.
ChoiceD rationale
Thecarotidarteryisnotrecommendedforassessingtheheartrateininfantsduetotheriskofcompressingtheairwayandcausingdiscomfort.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
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.