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. Children are taught the values of their culture through observation and feedback relative to their own behavior. In teaching a class on cultural competence, the nurse should be aware that which factor may be culturally determined?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Status, or the social standing within a culture, is often culturally determined and plays a significant role in shaping behaviors and expectations.

3. The nurse is caring for a child with acute renal failure. What laboratory findings should the nurse expect to find? (Select all that apply.)

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In acute renal failure, laboratory findings typically include hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, and elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels due to the kidneys' inability to excrete waste and balance electrolytes. Metabolic alkalosis is less common, with metabolic acidosis being more typical.

4. Which reflex is expected to disappear by 4 months of age?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex, typically disappears by 4 months as the infant's nervous system matures. This reflex is important for assessing the development of the nervous system in newborns. The Rooting reflex (Choice A) is related to turning the head in response to cheek stimulation; the Babinski reflex (Choice C) involves the fanning of toes in response to foot stimulation; and the Palmar grasp (Choice D) is the curling of the fingers around an object placed in the infant's hand. These reflexes have different timelines for disappearance and are not typically expected to be gone by 4 months of age.

5. The nurse is caring for a 1-month-old infant diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s disease. Which treatment measure should be included in the plan of care?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Surgical removal of the affected section of bowel. Hirschsprung's disease is a congenital condition where a portion of the large intestine lacks nerve cells, leading to difficulties in passing stool. The definitive treatment for this condition is the surgical removal of the affected section of the bowel. Barium enema (Choice A) may be used for diagnosis but is not a treatment. A high-fiber diet (Choice C) is not effective in managing Hirschsprung's disease. A permanent colostomy (Choice D) is not the initial treatment for this condition in infants.

Similar Questions

At an 8-month-old well-baby visit, the parent tells the nurse that her infant falls asleep at night during the last bottle feeding but wakes up when moved to the infant’s crib. What is the most appropriate response for the nurse to make?
What play activities should the nurse implement to encourage fluid intake for a child? (Select all that apply.)
Which action should the nurse implement when taking an axillary temperature?
What illnesses does respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prevent?
What nursing consideration is most important when caring for a child with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)?

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