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 D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Referring the child to social work for early intervention is important, but it is not the immediate priority. The nurse should first discuss the assessment findings with the primary care provider to confirm the diagnosis and plan the next steps.
Choice B rationale
Educating the parents on the developmental delays their child is diagnosed with is essential, but it should come after a confirmed diagnosis and a comprehensive plan is in place. The primary care provider should be involved in this process.
Choice C rationale
Providing the parents with pamphlets for support groups is supportive but not the immediate priority. The nurse should first ensure that the primary care provider is aware of the assessment findings to confirm the diagnosis and plan appropriate interventions.
Choice D rationale
Discussing the assessment findings with the primary care provider is the priority action. This ensures that the child receives a thorough evaluation and appropriate interventions are planned based on a confirmed diagnosis.
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.