a 4 year old child is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of epiglottitis what is the priority nursing intervention
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Nursing Elites

HESI LPN

Pediatric Practice Exam HESI

1. A 4-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of epiglottitis. What is the priority nursing intervention?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a 4-year-old child admitted to the hospital with epiglottitis is to keep the child NPO (nothing by mouth). Epiglottitis is a serious condition that can lead to airway obstruction. Keeping the child NPO helps prevent further compromise of the airway and reduces the risk of aspiration. Administering antibiotics may be necessary but ensuring the airway is not compromised takes precedence. Providing humidified oxygen is important for respiratory support, but not the priority over maintaining a patent airway. Positioning the child upright can help with breathing and comfort, but it does not directly address the immediate risk of airway compromise associated with epiglottitis.

2. The nurse is assisting low-income families to access health care. The nurse is aware that, in today's society, this most accurately defines the diversity of a modern family.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Given the diversity of families in today's society, some believe that family should be defined as whatever the child and family say it is.

3. A 7-year-old child has an altered mental status, high fever, and a generalized rash. You perform your assessment and initiate oxygen therapy. En route to the hospital, you should be most alert for:

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In a pediatric patient presenting with altered mental status, high fever, and a generalized rash, seizures are a significant concern. Febrile seizures can occur in children with high fevers and may lead to further complications. It is crucial to monitor for seizures and be prepared to manage them promptly. Vomiting, combativeness, and respiratory distress are also important considerations in pediatric patients; however, given the clinical presentation described, seizures take priority as they are a common complication in this scenario.

4. The nurse is providing care to a child with a long-leg hip spica cast. What is the priority nursing diagnosis?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Risk for impaired skin integrity due to cast and location. When caring for a child with a long-leg hip spica cast, the priority nursing diagnosis is the risk for impaired skin integrity. This is because the child's limited mobility and the pressure from the cast can lead to skin breakdown and complications. Choice B is incorrect as while education is essential, it is not the priority when immediate physical risks are present. Choice C is incorrect because while immobility can impact development, the immediate concern is preventing complications from the cast. Choice D is incorrect as it focuses on self-care deficits rather than the physical risk of skin integrity issues.

5. After instituting ordered measures to reduce the fever in a 3-year-old with fever and vomiting, what nursing action is most important for the nurse in the emergency department to take?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Preventing shivering is crucial in this situation as it can increase the body temperature and counteract the effects of antipyretic measures aimed at reducing the fever. Shivering generates heat, potentially worsening the fever. Restricting oral fluids (Choice B) is not appropriate as fluid intake is important to prevent dehydration, especially in a child who has been vomiting. Measuring output hourly (Choice C) and taking vital signs hourly (Choice D) are important nursing actions but not as critical as preventing shivering in this scenario. Therefore, the most important nursing action is to prevent shivering to aid in fever reduction and management.

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