A nurse is assessing a pediatric client who is exhibiting manifestations of rhabdomyosarcoma. In which area of the body should the nurse expect to find a tumor?

A. Obtain IV access. Obtaining IV access is a good precaution in case the client requires emergency medication (e.g., anticonvulsants) to control seizures. This is part of preparing for seizure management.

B. Keep a padded tongue blade available at the client's bedside. This is an outdated practice. The nurse should never insert a tongue blade into a patient's mouth during a seizure as it can cause injury.

C. Keep the lights on when the client is sleeping. There is no need to keep the lights on, as it may disturb the client’s rest. A calm, quiet environment is preferred, and seizure precautions are more related to safety and monitoring than lighting.

D. Place the client's bed in the high position. This increases the risk of injury in the event of a seizure. The bed should be in a low position with side rails up to prevent injury.

A. Bone marrow transplantation offers the best chance of long-term survival is incorrect. Bone marrow transplantation is not the primary treatment for osteosarcoma. Treatment typically focuses on surgery and chemotherapy.

B. Treatment usually consists of surgery and chemotherapy is correct. The main treatment for osteosarcoma involves a combination of surgery (to remove the tumor) and chemotherapy (to treat any potential metastasis). This approach is the standard for achieving long-term survival in most cases.

C. Intensive irradiation is the primary treatment is incorrect. While radiation therapy can sometimes be used, it is not the primary treatment for osteosarcoma. Surgery and chemotherapy are the main modalities.

D. Amputation of the affected extremity is rarely necessary is incorrect. While limb-sparing surgery is often possible, amputation may still be required in some cases, depending on the location and extent of the tumor. Thus, saying amputation is rarely necessary may be misleading.