A nurse is admitting a child who has bacterial meningitis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Initiate antibiotic therapy for the child.
Minimize the child's environmental stimuli.
Place the child in a side-lying position.
Administer pain medication to the child.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Initiate antibiotic therapy for the child.
This is the priority action. Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency, and prompt administration of antibiotics is crucial to treat the infection and prevent further complications. Therefore, the nurse should initiate antibiotic therapy as soon as possible after obtaining appropriate cultures.
B. Minimize the child's environmental stimuli.
While reducing environmental stimuli can help decrease the child's discomfort and prevent agitation, it is not the priority action when managing bacterial meningitis. Treating the underlying infection takes precedence to prevent serious complications such as neurological damage or septic shock.
C. Place the child in a side-lying position.
Positioning the child on their side may help prevent aspiration if vomiting occurs, but it is not the priority action in the initial management of bacterial meningitis. The child's positioning can be adjusted as needed once antibiotic therapy has been initiated.
D. Administer pain medication to the child.
Pain management is important for the child's comfort, but it is not the priority action when managing bacterial meningitis. The child's pain may be addressed once antibiotic therapy has been initiated and the child's condition has stabilized.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "Seal nonwashable items in a plastic bag for 2 days."
This instruction is incorrect. Items that cannot be laundered may be dry-cleaned or sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks
B. "Soak hair brushes in boiling water for 10 minutes."This is correct. According to CDC, combs and brushes should be soaked in hot water (at least 130 degrees fahrenheit) to help avoid re-infestation.
C. "Apply permethrin 1 percent cream rinse every day for 5 days."
This instruction is incorrect. Permethrin 1 percent cream rinse is a medication used to treat head lice infestations, but it is typically applied only once and then rinsed out after a specified period of time (usually 10 minutes). Repeated daily application for five days is not recommended and may lead to unnecessary exposure to the medication.
D. "After washing bed linens, place them in a dryer on a cool setting for 30 minutes."
This instruction is incorrect. To effectively kill lice and nits on bed linens, they should be washed in hot water (at least 130°F or 54°C) and then dried on a hot setting in the dryer. A cool setting may not be sufficient to kill lice and nits.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. "What are your reasons for making this decision today?"
This response demonstrates active listening and allows the parent to express their reasons for wanting to discontinue treatment. It opens up a dialogue between the nurse and the parent, which is important for understanding their perspective.
B. "You should discuss your concerns with your child's provider."
While it's important for the parent to communicate with the child's healthcare provider, this response may come across as dismissive of the parent's concerns and decision-making process.
C. "You should give the treatment a chance to work before giving up."
This response may seem judgmental and dismissive of the parent's feelings and autonomy. It does not address the parent's concerns and may further strain the nurse-parent relationship.
D. "Do you need assistance gathering your child's belongings to return home?"
This response is practical but does not address the underlying reasons for the parent's desire to discontinue treatment. It's important for the nurse to engage in therapeutic communication and explore the parent's concerns further.
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