The nurse is caring for a 13-year-old who is 2 days post-operative from a laparoscopic appendectomy. Upon assessment, the nurse notes the following vital signs: 37,1°C (98.8°F), a pain rating of 3 out of 10, and breath sounds are diminished in the lower lobes. What action should the nurse take first?
Maintain prone positioning.
Request a laboratory prescription for a white blood cell count.
Administer prescribed acetaminophen.
Encourage the use of an incentive spirometer.
The Correct Answer is D
Rationale:
A. Prone positioning is not recommended post-operatively for abdominal surgery and could exacerbate respiratory issues.
B. While monitoring white blood cell count is important, encouraging lung expansion and preventing complications such as atelectasis is a more immediate priority.
C. The client's pain rating is low and does not necessitate immediate administration of acetaminophen.
D. Encouraging the use of an incentive spirometer helps improve lung expansion, which is crucial to prevent atelectasis and promote proper oxygenation, particularly when breath sounds are diminished.
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Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]
Explanation
Rationales:
A. Droplet precautions are typically used for infections transmitted through respiratory droplets, such as influenza or COVID-19. Since the symptoms described are more consistent with pyloric stenosis rather than an infectious disease, droplet precautions are not indicated.
B. The infant's symptoms are indicative of possible hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, a condition where the pylorus (the opening from the stomach to the small intestine) becomes narrowed, leading to forceful vomiting and dehydration. Surgical intervention, such as a pyloromyotomy, is often required to correct this condition.
C. The FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) scale is used to assess pain in infants and young children who cannot verbalize their discomfort. Given the infant's fussiness and symptoms, evaluating pain is crucial to managing the infant's discomfort.
D. Monitoring intake and output is important in an infant with vomiting to assess for dehydration and ensure appropriate fluid balance. This is a key aspect of managing any vomiting-related condition and ensuring the infant receives adequate hydration.
E. In the case of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, thickened liquids are not recommended. The main treatment is surgical, and feeding modifications alone will not address the underlying condition.
F. A plain water enema is not appropriate for this infant’s symptoms. Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis does not require an enema and may actually worsen the infant's condition.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Acetaminophen can be used to manage mild discomfort after cardiac catheterization. It is a safe option for pain relief and is commonly recommended for children following the procedure.
B. Bed rest is typically recommended for a shorter duration, often 24 hours, not a full week. Extended bed rest is not usually required unless complications occur.
C. The diet should be advanced as tolerated, but there is no specific requirement to wait 24 hours; this will depend on the child’s recovery and tolerance.
D. Bathing recommendations often include avoiding submerging the site in water, so a tub bath may not be advised for the first few days to prevent infection. Sponge baths might be recommended instead.