A mother brings her male preschooler to the clinic because he has had diarrhea, vomiting, and high fevers for the past three days.

The child begins to cry and cling to his mother when the nurse enters the examination room.

Which action should the nurse implement to get the child to cooperate?

Choice A rationale

Comparing the temperature of both legs can help identify potential circulatory issues or infections. However, temperature differences are not the most immediate concern when assessing a child with a long-leg cast. Monitoring neurovascular status, including circulation and nerve function, is more critical to ensure there are no complications such as compartment syndrome or impaired blood flow.

Choice B rationale

Monitoring capillary refill of the toes is crucial for assessing the circulatory status of the affected limb. Capillary refill time indicates how well blood is perfusing to the extremities. A delayed capillary refill time can suggest compromised circulation, which could lead to serious complications like tissue ischemia. This assessment helps ensure that the cast is not too tight and that there is adequate blood flow to the toes.

Choice C rationale

Examining for spontaneous movement is important for assessing motor function and ensuring that there is no nerve damage. However, it is not as immediate a concern as circulatory assessment. Spontaneous movement can indicate intact motor function, but circulatory compromise would need to be addressed urgently to prevent tissue damage.

Choice D rationale

Palpating femoral pulses is important for assessing the overall circulation to the lower extremities. However, in the context of a long-leg cast, it is more relevant to directly assess the area distal to the cast (such as the toes) for adequate perfusion. Checking femoral pulses alone does not provide specific information about potential compartment syndrome or tightness of the cast affecting distal circulation.

Choice A rationale

Projectile vomiting in an infant with an olive-like mass in the abdomen suggests pyloric stenosis. This condition causes severe vomiting due to gastric obstruction. It's a hallmark symptom and requires monitoring and surgical intervention.

Choice B rationale

While arching the back can occur in various conditions, it is not specifically indicative of pyloric stenosis. It could be a sign of discomfort or other neurological issues but not directly related to the gastrointestinal obstruction seen in pyloric stenosis.

Choice C rationale

Frequent pauses during feeding are common in many infant conditions and are not specific to pyloric stenosis. They indicate general feeding difficulties but are not diagnostic of this particular condition.

Choice D rationale

Coffee-ground emesis indicates bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract but is not typical of pyloric stenosis. The hallmark sign is non-bloody, forceful vomiting due to gastric outlet obstruction.