A 4-year-old patient is newly diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). The patient's mother says to the nurse, "I feel numb. I just can't believe this is happening.”. The nurse recognizes that this statement is consistent with which emotional reaction?

Choice A rationale:

Returning to the hospital if the child spits up blood is a correct response as it indicates the recognition of potential postoperative bleeding.

Choice B rationale:

Giving the child cherry gelatin, even though it's the child's favorite, might not be appropriate after a tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy, as certain foods can irritate the healing throat.

Choice C rationale:

Returning to the hospital if the child develops difficulty breathing is a necessary step to address any respiratory distress.

Choice D rationale:

Having the child rinse her mouth frequently with water to prevent a bad breath odor is a suitable suggestion to maintain oral hygiene and comfort after surgery. In all three scenarios, the rationale for the correct answers revolves around patient safety, comfort, and appropriate post-operative care. The incorrect choices in each question either introduce potential complications, misunderstandings, or actions that might compromise the patient's well-being.

Choice A rationale:

Neck vein distention might be seen in conditions affecting venous return to the heart, such as heart failure, but it's not a specific symptom of closed head injury.

Choice B rationale:

Fixed, dilated pupils are a classic sign of increased intracranial pressure. The pressure can compress the cranial nerves, leading to changes in pupillary size and reactivity.

Choice C rationale:

Shortness of breath is more related to respiratory issues and might not be directly linked to a closed head injury.

Choice D rationale:

Glycosuria, the presence of glucose in the urine, is not a primary symptom of closed head injury. It could be related to diabetes or other metabolic conditions.