A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant who has gastroenteritis. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of severe fluid volume deficit?
Flat anterior fontanel
Dry, hot skin
Loss of 5% of weight
Absence of tears when crying
The Correct Answer is D
A. "Flat anterior fontanel." A sunken anterior fontanel, not flat, is a sign of severe dehydration in infants.
B. "Dry, hot skin." Dry skin is a symptom of dehydration, but "hot" skin may indicate fever rather than severe dehydration.
C. "Loss of 5% of weight." A 5% weight loss indicates mild dehydration; severe dehydration is characterized by a weight loss of 10% or more.
D. "Absence of tears when crying." Absence of tears is a reliable indicator of severe dehydration in infants.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "Your child needs mechanical ventilation." Mechanical ventilation is unnecessary if the child is awake and alert.
B. "We need to observe your child for cerebral swelling." Submersion injuries can lead to complications like cerebral edema or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), even if the child initially appears stable. Observation is essential to identify and address delayed complications.
C. "Your child needs to have an electroencephalogram." Electroencephalograms (EEGs) are not routine unless seizures or brain activity concerns are present.
D. "We need to perform an echocardiogram on your child." Echocardiograms are not standard for submersion injuries unless cardiac dysfunction is suspected.
Correct Answer is []
Explanation
Condition Most Likely Experiencing: Bronchiolitis
The infant's symptoms—fever, cough, nasal congestion, wheezing, nasal flaring, intercostal retractions, and difficulty feeding—are characteristic of bronchiolitis, commonly caused by RSV in infants.
Actions to Take:
- Administer Oxygen via nasal cannula: The infant's low oxygen saturation (88% on room air) and respiratory distress (nasal flaring, retractions) indicate the need for supplemental oxygen to ensure adequate oxygenation and reduce respiratory distress.
- Suction nares with a bulb aspirator: Suctioning the infant’s nasal passages helps clear mucus and improve breathing. Infants with RSV often have significant nasal congestion that can impair feeding and breathing, so clearing the airways is crucial for respiratory management.
Parameters to Monitor:
- Oxygen saturation via continuous pulse oximetry: Monitoring oxygen saturation provides critical information on the infant’s respiratory status and helps assess the effectiveness of oxygen therapy.
- Respiratory effort and breath sounds: The infant is showing signs of increased respiratory effort (e.g., nasal flaring, intercostal retractions) and abnormal breath sounds (e.g., wheezes). Monitoring these parameters helps assess the severity of respiratory distress and guides further interventions.
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