what is the most appropriate action for a nurse if a child presents with suspected meningitis
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

ATI Nursing Care of Children 2019 B

1. What is the most appropriate action for a healthcare provider if a child presents with suspected meningitis?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Isolating the child is a priority to prevent the spread of infection until meningitis is confirmed or ruled out. Meningitis, particularly bacterial, is highly contagious and can lead to outbreaks if not properly managed. Isolation and prompt treatment are critical in preventing serious complications. Administering antibiotics immediately without confirmation of the diagnosis can be harmful if the cause is viral or non-infectious. Performing a lumbar puncture is a diagnostic procedure that should be done by a healthcare provider but is not the initial action when suspecting meningitis. Obtaining a complete blood count may be part of the diagnostic workup but is not the most appropriate initial action in suspected meningitis.

2. The mother of a child with cognitive impairment calls the nurse because her son has been gagging and drooling all morning. The nurse suspects foreign body ingestion. What physiologic occurrence is most likely responsible for the presenting signs?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The symptoms of gagging and drooling suggest that the foreign object is likely lodged in the esophagus. This can cause significant discomfort and potential complications, requiring immediate medical evaluation.

3. Two children are working on a puzzle together in the hospital playroom. Which type of play describes this activity?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, cooperative play. In cooperative play, children work together toward a common goal, such as completing a puzzle. Solitary play (A) is when a child plays alone, associative play (B) involves children playing together but without a common goal, and parallel play (C) is when children play alongside each other without direct interaction.

4. The nurse is performing an otoscopic examination on a child. Which are normal findings the nurse should expect? (Select all that apply.)

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A well-defined light reflex, a small concave spot, and a grayish, nontransparent tympanic membrane are normal findings during an otoscopic examination in a child.

5. The nurse notes that a child has lost 3.6 kg (8 lb) after 4 days of hospitalization for acute glomerulonephritis. What is the most likely cause of this weight loss?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The weight loss is most likely due to the reduction of edema, as glomerulonephritis often causes fluid retention that resolves with treatment, leading to significant weight loss.

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