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
Choice A rationale
Rheumatic fever is often preceded by a streptococcal infection, such as strep throat. A sibling with a sore throat 3 weeks ago could have had a strep infection, which is a significant risk factor for developing rheumatic fever.
Choice B rationale
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus and is not related to rheumatic fever, which is a complication of streptococcal infections.
Choice C rationale
Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining and is not associated with rheumatic fever.
Choice D rationale
Fifth disease is caused by parvovirus B19 and is not related to rheumatic fever.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Droplet precautions are used for infections spread through large respiratory droplets, such as influenza, but are not sufficient for measles.
Choice B rationale
Airborne precautions are necessary for measles, as it is spread through small droplets that can remain suspended in the air and travel over long distances.
Choice C rationale
Contact precautions are used for infections spread through direct contact with the patient or their environment, such as MRSA, but are not sufficient for measles.
Choice D rationale
A protective environment is used for patients with compromised immune systems to protect them from infections, not for preventing the spread of infections like measles.