Nokea
A 6-year-old child with a history of asthma is brought to the emergency department with difficulty breathing and a severe cough. The nurse notes that the child is using accessory muscles to breathe and has a peak flow reading in the red zone. What should the nurse do first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In a 6-year-old child with asthma experiencing difficulty breathing and using accessory muscles to breathe with a peak flow reading in the red zone, the priority intervention is to administer a nebulized bronchodilator first. Nebulized bronchodilators help open the airways quickly, providing immediate relief and improving breathing. This intervention aims to address the acute respiratory distress the child is experiencing before considering other assessments or interventions such as obtaining arterial blood gases, starting oxygen therapy, or contacting the healthcare provider.