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
Encouraging the child to talk about the procedure is important for emotional support, but it is not the most critical assessment immediately after a cardiac catheterization. The priority is to monitor for potential complications.
Choice B rationale
Confirming to the child that the procedure has been completed is important for reassurance, but it is not the most critical assessment. The priority is to monitor for potential complications.
Choice C rationale
Gradually allowing the child to adapt to the lighted surroundings is not relevant to the immediate post-procedure care. The priority is to monitor for potential complications.
Choice D rationale
Checking pedal pulses frequently is the most important assessment after a cardiac catheterization via the femoral artery. It helps to ensure that there is adequate blood flow to the lower extremities and to detect any signs of arterial obstruction or complications at the catheter insertion site.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A 13% weight loss indicates severe dehydration. Dehydration is classified based on the percentage of body weight lost, with severe dehydration being more than 10%6.
Choice B rationale
A bulging anterior fontanel is a sign of increased intracranial pressure, not dehydration. In dehydration, the fontanel is typically sunken due to fluid loss.
Choice C rationale
Bradypnea, or slow breathing, is not a common sign of dehydration. Dehydration often leads to tachypnea, or rapid breathing, as the body tries to compensate for fluid loss.
Choice D rationale
A capillary refill time of 3 seconds is within normal limits. In severe dehydration, capillary refill time is usually prolonged, indicating poor perfusion.