A nurse is assisting with collecting data from a 10-month-old in the emergency department.

Medical History: Guardians brought the infant to the emergency room after witnessing the infant’s arms and legs shaking.

The infant did not respond to the guardians’ voices during that time.

The episode lasted approximately 5 min and the infant was sleeping soundly afterwards.

On the way to the emergency department, the infant had another episode of shaking of the extremities and drooling. The infant was asleep when they arrived for evaluation.

The infant has no prior medical or surgical history.

Born full-term at 40 weeks to a birth mother who had regular prenatal visits.

Actions to Take: Complete the diagram by dragging from the choices below to specify what condition the client is most likely experiencing, 2 actions the nurse should take to address that condition, and 2 parameters the nurse should monitor to assess the client’s progress.

The correct answer is (C) Determine if the toddler is voiding.

Choice A: Initiate isotonic fluids with 20 mEq/L potassium chloride. While it is important to maintain hydration in a child with acute gastroenteritis, initiating isotonic fluids with 20 mEq/L potassium chloride is not the first action a nurse should take. The child’s hydration status and electrolyte balance need to be assessed first. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of isotonic solutions with adequate potassium chloride and dextrose for maintenance IV fluids in children.

Choice B: Collect a stool sample from the toddler Collecting a stool sample can help identify the cause of the gastroenteritis. However, this is not the first step. The stool sample collection should be done using a clean, dry toilet hat or plastic wrap. But before this, the child’s hydration status needs to be assessed.

Choice C: Determine if the toddler is voiding The first action the nurse should take when using the nursing process is assessment. Therefore, checking if the toddler is voiding is the priority. This will help assess the child’s hydration status, which is critical in managing acute gastroenteritis.

Choice D: Request evaluation of the toddler’s serum electrolytes Requesting an evaluation of the toddler’s serum electrolytes is also important, but it’s typically done after the initial assessment. Fluid and electrolyte derangement are the immediate causes that increase the mortality in diarrhea. However, before requesting this evaluation, the nurse should first determine if the toddler is voiding to assess the child’s hydration status.

Choice A rationale
Bluish-green discharge from the ear canal is not a typical finding in otitis media. This could suggest a different condition, such as an external ear infection or a ruptured eardrum.
Choice B rationale
Erythema and edema of the affected auricle (outer part of the ear) are not typical findings in otitis media. These symptoms are more commonly associated with conditions affecting the external ear, such as otitis externa.
Choice C rationale
An increase in appetite is not typically associated with otitis media. In fact, children with otitis media may have a decreased appetite due to discomfort or pain while swallowing.
Choice D rationale
Tugging on the affected ear lobe is a common sign of otitis media in infants and young children. This is often due to the pain and discomfort caused by the infection.