Wong's Essentials of Pediatric Nursing 11th Edition Test Bank - The Child with Respiratory Dysfunction Related

Review Wong's Essentials of Pediatric Nursing 11th Edition Test Bank - The Child with Respiratory Dysfunction related questions and content

The nurse is caring for a child with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning associated with smoke inhalation. What intervention is essential in this childs care?

  • A. Monitor pulse oximetry.
  • B. Monitor arterial blood gases.
  • C. Administer oxygen if respiratory distress develops.
  • D. Administer oxygen if childs lips become bright, cherry-red in color.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Monitoring arterial blood gases is essential for CO poisoning, as pulse oximetry is unreliable due to normal PaO2 levels. High-flow oxygen should be administered immediately, not only if distress or cherry-red lips (a late sign) appear, to displace CO from hemoglobin.