A nurse on a pediatric unit is reviewing her client assignment following the shift report. Which of the following clients should the nurse plan to assess first?
An infant who has pertussis and is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula.
A school-age child who has diabetes mellitus and requires blood glucose monitoring.
An adolescent who was admitted to the unit in sickle cell crisis and is ready for discharge instructions.
A toddler who has both arms in casts and needs to be fed his breakfast.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: An infant who has pertussis and is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula:
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can be particularly severe in infants. The fact that the infant is receiving oxygen indicates respiratory distress, which is a critical condition requiring immediate attention. Infants with pertussis are at high risk for complications such as pneumonia, apnea, and respiratory failure. Therefore, this patient should be assessed first to ensure their airway and breathing are adequately supported.
Choice B reason: A school-age child who has diabetes mellitus and requires blood glucose monitoring:
While it is important to monitor blood glucose levels in children with diabetes mellitus to prevent hypo- or hyperglycemia, this condition is generally more stable and manageable compared to the acute respiratory distress seen in the infant with pertussis. Blood glucose monitoring can be scheduled and managed, making it a lower priority in this context.
Choice C reason: An adolescent who was admitted to the unit in sickle cell crisis and is ready for discharge instructions:
Sickle cell crisis can be extremely painful and requires careful management. However, if the adolescent is ready for discharge, it indicates that their condition has stabilized. Providing discharge instructions is important but can be deferred until more critical patients are assessed.
Choice D reason: A toddler who has both arms in casts and needs to be fed his breakfast:
While this toddler requires assistance with feeding due to their casts, this situation does not pose an immediate threat to their health. Feeding can be managed after ensuring that more critical patients, such as the infant with pertussis, are stable.
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Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","E"]
Explanation
Choice A: Evaluate for the presence of a Babinski reflex
The Babinski reflex, also known as the plantar reflex, is a normal reflex in infants up to 2 years old. When the sole of the foot is stroked, the big toe moves upward, and the other toes fan out. This reflex helps assess the neurological function and integrity of the corticospinal tract. In the context of a subdural hematoma, evaluating the Babinski reflex can help determine if there is any neurological impairment or increased intracranial pressure, which could indicate worsening of the condition.
Choice B: Measure the head circumference
Measuring the head circumference is crucial in infants, especially those with head injuries, as it helps monitor brain growth and detect any abnormal swelling or increased intracranial pressure. An increase in head circumference can indicate the presence of intracranial bleeding or edema, which requires immediate medical attention. Regular monitoring of head circumference allows healthcare providers to track the infant’s neurological development and identify any deviations from the normal growth curve.
Choice C: Assess the pupillary reaction to light
Assessing the pupillary reaction to light is an essential neurological assessment in infants with head injuries. The pupils’ response to light provides information about the function of the optic nerve and the brainstem. A normal pupillary reaction indicates that the brainstem is functioning correctly, while an abnormal reaction can suggest increased intracranial pressure or brain injury. In this case, the nurse should assess the pupillary reaction to ensure there are no signs of neurological deterioration.
Choice D: Encourage parents to feed the infant
Encouraging parents to feed the infant is not recommended in this scenario. The infant’s inability to awaken for feeding and sleeping through the vital sign assessment could indicate a decreased level of consciousness or neurological impairment. Feeding an infant in such a state could increase the risk of aspiration and further complications. Instead, the nurse should focus on monitoring the infant’s neurological status and ensuring their safety.
Choice E: Palpate fontanel level
Palpating the fontanel level is an important assessment in infants with head injuries. The fontanels, or soft spots on the infant’s skull, provide valuable information about intracranial pressure. A bulging fontanel can indicate increased intracranial pressure, while a sunken fontanel may suggest dehydration. In this case, the nurse should palpate the fontanel to assess for any abnormalities that could indicate changes in the infant’s condition.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Check the drainage for glucose:
Clear drainage from the nasal packing after a transsphenoidal hypophysectomy could indicate a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. CSF leaks are a serious complication that can occur after this type of surgery. Testing the drainage for glucose is a quick and effective way to determine if the fluid is CSF, as CSF contains glucose, whereas normal nasal secretions do not. Identifying a CSF leak promptly is crucial to prevent further complications such as meningitis.
Choice B reason: Notify the client’s provider:
While notifying the provider is important, it should be done after confirming the nature of the drainage. If the drainage is indeed CSF, the provider needs to be informed immediately. However, the initial step should be to check the drainage for glucose to confirm the suspicion.
Choice C reason: Document the amount of drainage:
Documentation is always important in nursing care, but it is not the immediate priority in this situation. The primary concern is to identify the nature of the drainage to address any potential complications promptly.
Choice D reason: Obtain a culture of the drainage:
Obtaining a culture can help identify any infections, but it is not the first step in this scenario. The immediate concern is to determine if the drainage is CSF, which requires checking for glucose.
