A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a child following an overdose of acetylsalicylic acid. Which of the following medications should the nurse plan to administer?

Diversional activities for hospitalized children should match the child’s developmental stage as well as physical limitations caused by treatment such as skeletal traction. Selecting appropriate toys for a hospitalized child requires a solid understanding of Piaget’s stages of cognitive development and Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development. For a 2-year-old (toddler), the primary developmental task is Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt. Toddlers engage in parallel play and enjoy activities that allow them to mimic adult behaviors and explore their environment within the physical limitations of their treatment.

Rationale:
A. A dress-up doll is appropriate for a 2-year-old because toddlers engage in imitative and pretend play by copying familiar daily activities such as dressing, feeding, or caring for others. This type of toy supports imagination and emotional comfort while being safe to use in bed during skeletal traction. It also encourages fine motor development without excessive physical movement.

B. Playing cards are more suitable for older preschool or school-age children who can understand rules, matching, and turn-taking games. A 2-year-old typically lacks the cognitive and attention skills needed for structured card games. Small cards may also present frustration and limited developmental benefit for a toddler.

C. A video game system is generally more appropriate for older children who have better hand-eye coordination and cognitive ability to follow game objectives. Toddlers have limited ability to use controllers effectively and may not benefit from this type of play. It also does not support the simple, imaginative play preferred at this developmental stage.

D. A sewing kit is unsafe and developmentally inappropriate for a 2-year-old child. It contains sharp objects such as needles and small parts that present serious choking and injury hazards. Toddlers require toys that are safe, non-sharp, and suitable for supervised simple play rather than complex fine motor tasks like sewing.

Pediculosis (head lice infestation) is a common parasitic condition in school-age children caused by Pediculus humanus capitis. Transmission occurs through direct head-to-head contact and, less commonly, through contaminated personal items. Management involves pharmacologic treatment of the scalp and environmental decontamination of items that may harbor lice or nits. Effective eradication requires breaking the cycle of reinfestation through proper hygiene and cleaning measures.

Rationale:
A. Placing hairbrushes, combs, and hair accessories in boiling water for 10 minutes is an appropriate method to kill lice and nits on personal items. High heat effectively destroys parasites and prevents reinfestation when items are reused. This demonstrates correct understanding of environmental decontamination for pediculosis.

B. Sealing nonwashable items in a plastic bag for 1 week is incorrect because lice cannot survive more than 1 to 2 days without a human host. Recommended quarantine for nonwashable items is typically about 48 hours to 2 days, not a full week. Prolonged sealing is unnecessary and reflects incorrect timing.

C. Using medicated shampoo daily for 3 days is incorrect because most pediculicide treatments are applied once and then repeated only if needed after 7 to 10 days. Overuse can cause scalp irritation and does not improve effectiveness. Proper timing is essential to target newly hatched lice after the initial treatment.

D. Washing clothing and bedding using a double rinse is unnecessary because lice are primarily transmitted through direct head contact rather than fabrics. Standard washing in hot water and drying on high heat is sufficient to eliminate lice. A double rinse does not provide added benefit in preventing reinfestation.