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Which interventions should the emergency department nurse prepare for in the care of a child with croup and epiglottitis? Select all that apply.
- A. Obtaining a chest x-ray
- B. Obtaining a throat culture
- C. Monitoring pulse oximetry
- D. Maintaining a patent airway
- E. Providing humidified oxygen
- F. Administering antipyretics and antibiotics
Correct Answer: A,C,D,E,F
Rationale: Epiglottitis is an acute inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis and surrounding tissue. It is a life-threatening, rapidly progressive condition that may cause complete airway obstruction within a few hours of onset. The most reliable diagnostic sign is an edematous, cherry-red epiglottis. Some interventions include obtaining a chest x-ray film, monitoring pulse oximetry, maintaining a patent airway, providing humidified oxygen, and administering antipyretics and antibiotics. The child may also require intubation and mechanical ventilation. The primary concern in a child with epiglottitis is the development of complete airway obstruction. Therefore, the child's throat is not examined or cultured because any stimulation with a tongue depressor or culture swab could trigger complete airway obstruction.
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The nurse is preparing to administer a tuberculin skin test to a client. The nurse determines that which area is to be used for injection of the medication?
- A. Dorsal aspect of the upper arm near a mole
- B. Inner aspect of the forearm that is close to a burn scar
- C. Inner aspect of the forearm that is not heavily pigmented
- D. Dorsal aspect of the upper arm that has a small amount of hair
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Intradermal injections are most commonly given in the inner surface of the forearm. Other sites include the dorsal area of the upper arm or the upper back beneath the scapulae. The nurse finds an area that is not heavily pigmented and is clear of hairy areas or lesions that could interfere with reading the results.
A client experiencing trigeminal neuralgia (tic douloureux) asks the nurse for a snack and something to drink. Which is the best selection the nurse should provide for the client?
- A. Hot cocoa with honey and toast
- B. Vanilla pudding and lukewarm milk
- C. Hot herbal tea with graham crackers
- D. Iced coffee and peanut butter and crackers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Because mild tactile stimulation of the face of clients with trigeminal neuralgia can trigger pain, the client needs to eat or drink lukewarm, nutritious foods that are soft and easy to chew. Extremes of temperature will cause trigeminal pain.
The nurse, caring for a client with Buck's traction, is monitoring the client for complications of the traction. Which assessment finding indicates a complication of this form of traction?
- A. Weak pedal pulses
- B. Drainage at the pin sites
- C. Complaints of leg discomfort
- D. Toes demonstrating a brisk capillary refill
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Buck's traction is skin traction. Weak pedal pulses are a sign of vascular compromise, which can be caused by pressure on the tissues of the leg by the elastic bandage or prefabricated boot used to secure this type of traction. Skeletal (not skin) traction uses pins. Discomfort is expected. Warm toes with brisk capillary refill is a normal finding.
A hepatitis B screen is performed on a postpartum client and the results indicate the presence of antigens in the maternal blood. Which intervention should the nurse anticipate to be prescribed for the neonate? Select all that apply.
- A. Obtaining serum liver enzymes
- B. Administering hepatitis vaccine
- C. Supporting breastfeeding every 5 hours
- D. Repeating hepatitis B screen in 1 week
- E. Administering hepatitis B immune globulin
- F. Administering antibiotics while hospitalized
Correct Answer: B,E
Rationale: A hepatitis B screen is performed to detect the presence of antigens in maternal blood. If antigens are present, the neonate should receive the hepatitis vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin within 12 hours after birth. Obtaining serum liver enzymes, retesting the maternal blood in a week, breastfeeding every 5 hours, and administering antibiotics are inappropriate actions and would not decrease the chance of the neonate contracting the hepatitis B virus.
The nurse is caring for a term newborn. Which assessment finding would predispose the newborn to the occurrence of jaundice?
- A. Presence of a cephalhematoma
- B. Infant blood type of O negative
- C. Birth weight of 8 pounds 6 ounces
- D. A negative direct Coombs' test result
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A cephalhematoma is swelling caused by bleeding into an area between the bone and its periosteum (does not cross over the suture line). Enclosed hemorrhage, such as with cephalhematoma, predisposes the newborn to jaundice by producing an increased bilirubin load as the cephalhematoma resolves (usually within 6 weeks) and is absorbed into the circulatory system. The classic Rh incompatibility situation involves an Rh-negative mother with an Rh-positive fetus/newborn. The birth weight in option 3 is within the acceptable range for a term newborn and therefore does not contribute to an increased bilirubin level. A negative direct Coombs' test result indicates that there are no maternal antibodies on fetal erythrocytes.