A nurse is assisting in the care of a 3-year-old preschool child who has extreme manifestations of lead poisoning. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform first?
Schedule the child for a follow-up blood test to monitor lead levels over the coming weeks.
Provide supportive care to manage common symptoms of nausea and pain.
Promote a balanced diet rich in calcium and iron to help mitigate the lead absorption.
Notify the health department to investigate potential lead exposure sources.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Schedule the child for a follow-up blood test to monitor lead levels over the coming weeks. While ongoing monitoring is important, it is not the immediate priority in a child with extreme lead poisoning. Immediate intervention is needed to manage acute symptoms and prevent further complications.
B. Provide supportive care to manage common symptoms of nausea and pain. This is the correct first action. Severe lead poisoning can cause neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain, vomiting, and irritability. Supportive care addresses these symptoms while preparing for further interventions like chelation therapy.
C. Promote a balanced diet rich in calcium and iron to help mitigate lead absorption. Nutritional support is beneficial in mild to moderate cases, as calcium and iron reduce lead absorption, but it is not the first priority in extreme poisoning. Immediate medical treatment takes precedence.
D. Notify the health department to investigate potential lead exposure sources. Identifying the source of lead exposure is crucial for long-term prevention, but in cases of severe poisoning, immediate medical care is the priority before environmental interventions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Aspirin. Aspirin should never be given to a child with chickenpox due to the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious condition that can cause liver and brain damage when aspirin is used during viral infections.
B. Corticosteroid cream. While corticosteroids reduce inflammation, they are not recommended for chickenpox because they can suppress the immune response and potentially worsen the infection.
C. Oral antihistamine. Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine help relieve severe itching, which is a common symptom of chickenpox. Reducing itchiness can also help prevent scratching that may lead to skin infections and scarring.
D. Oral antibiotics. Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, so antibiotics are not needed unless a secondary bacterial infection (such as impetigo) develops from scratching the lesions.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Schedule the child for a follow-up blood test to monitor lead levels over the coming weeks. While ongoing monitoring is important, it is not the immediate priority in a child with extreme lead poisoning. Immediate intervention is needed to manage acute symptoms and prevent further complications.
B. Provide supportive care to manage common symptoms of nausea and pain. This is the correct first action. Severe lead poisoning can cause neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain, vomiting, and irritability. Supportive care addresses these symptoms while preparing for further interventions like chelation therapy.
C. Promote a balanced diet rich in calcium and iron to help mitigate lead absorption. Nutritional support is beneficial in mild to moderate cases, as calcium and iron reduce lead absorption, but it is not the first priority in extreme poisoning. Immediate medical treatment takes precedence.
D. Notify the health department to investigate potential lead exposure sources. Identifying the source of lead exposure is crucial for long-term prevention, but in cases of severe poisoning, immediate medical care is the priority before environmental interventions.
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