RN NCLEX Next Gen Questions Related

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A 4-year-old child who has been ill for 4 hours is admitted to the hospital with difficulty swallowing, a sore throat, and severe substernal retractions. The child's temperature is 104°F (40°C), and the apical pulse is 140 bpm.The white blood cell count is 16,000/mm³. Which of the following should the nurse identify as the immediate priority nursing diagnosis?

  • A. Anxiety related to need for immediate and unplanned hospitalization.
  • B. Risk for injury (airway obstruction) related to epiglottal edema.
  • C. Impaired gas exchange related to excessive respiratory effort.
  • D. Ineffective airway clearance related to aspiration.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The symptoms indicate epiglottitis, with a high risk of airway obstruction due to epiglottal edema, making this the priority diagnosis.