A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a child who has a temperature of 39.1° C (102.4° F) and a suspected diagnosis of bacterial meningitis.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Prepare the child for a lumbar puncture.
Dim the lights in the child's room.
Administer an antipyretic to the child.
Implement droplet precautions for the child.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is choice d. Implement droplet precautions for the child.
Choice A rationale:
Preparing the child for a lumbar puncture is important for diagnosing bacterial meningitis, but it is not the first action. Immediate infection control measures are more critical to prevent the spread of the disease.
Choice B rationale:
Dimming the lights can help reduce discomfort from photophobia, a common symptom of meningitis, but it is not the priority action when first addressing a suspected case of bacterial meningitis.
Choice C rationale:
Administering an antipyretic to reduce fever is important for comfort and to manage symptoms, but it does not address the immediate need to prevent the spread of infection.
Choice D rationale:
Implementing droplet precautions is the first action the nurse should take. Bacterial meningitis can be highly contagious, and droplet precautions help prevent the spread of the infection to other patients and healthcare workers.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choiced. Human papillomavirus (HPV).
Choice A rationale:
Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine is typically administered to younger children, usually between 12-15 months and again at 4-6 years of age.
Choice B rationale:
The Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) vaccine is also given to younger children in a series of shots starting at 2 months and continuing until 4-6 years of age.At 12 years, a booster called Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) is recommended instead.
Choice C rationale:
Hepatitis A vaccine is generally given to children at 12-23 months of age in two doses, six months apart.It is not typically administered at 12 years old unless the child missed the earlier doses.
Choice D rationale:
The Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is recommended for preteens aged 11-12 years to protect against cancers caused by HPV. This is the appropriate age for the first dose of the HPV vaccine.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Placing a baby on their side to sleep is not recommended due to the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) Babies should be placed on their back to sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS. Therefore, this statement indicates a misunderstanding of the teaching and should be corrected by the nurse.
Choice B rationale:
Dressing the baby in lightweight clothing is a correct understanding of SIDS prevention guidelines. Overheating is a risk factor for SIDS, so dressing the baby in lightweight, breathable clothing is recommended to maintain a comfortable body temperature during sleep.
Choice C rationale:
Moving the baby's stuffed animal to the corner of the crib is not a recommended practice. Stuffed animals and soft bedding should be kept out of the baby's sleep area to reduce the risk of suffocation and SIDS. This statement indicates a misunderstanding of the teaching and should be corrected by the nurse.
Choice D rationale:
Having the baby sleep next to the parents in bed increases the risk of accidental suffocation and SIDS. Babies should sleep in their own safe sleep environment, such as a crib or bassinet, to reduce the risk of SIDS. This statement indicates a misunderstanding of the teaching and should be corrected by the nurse.
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