A nurse is caring for a 3-year-old toddler who has dehydration.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
Sodium 142 mEq/L.
Respiratory rate 22/min.
Potassium 3.9 mEq/L.
Heart rate 148/min.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale:
Sodium level of 142 mEq/L is within the normal range (135-145 mEq/L) for adults. However, normal ranges for children might vary slightly, but 142 mEq/L is not indicative of dehydration on its own.
Choice B rationale:
Respiratory rate of 22/min is within the normal range for a 3-year-old child (20-30 breaths/min) This rate alone does not provide evidence of dehydration.
Choice C rationale:
Potassium level of 3.9 mEq/L is within the normal range (3.5-5.1 mEq/L) for children. Like sodium, normal ranges for potassium may differ slightly in pediatric patients, but 3.9 mEq/L is not alarming on its own.
Choice D rationale:
Heart rate of 148/min is elevated for a 3-year-old child. Tachycardia is a common sign of dehydration in pediatric patients. This increased heart rate indicates the body's compensatory mechanism to maintain cardiac output in response to decreased blood volume, a typical consequence of dehydration.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The nurse should use the client's telephone number or another unique identifier, such as a medical record number or a unique identification code, to confirm the client's identity before administering medication. Using a telephone number or a unique identifier ensures accurate identification of the client and helps prevent medication errors.
Choice B rationale:
Place of birth is not a suitable identifier for confirming a client's identity. It does not provide specific and accurate information about the individual and may not be unique to the client.
Choice C rationale:
Driver license number is not a suitable identifier for confirming a client's identity. It may not be readily available in the healthcare setting, and not all clients have a driver's license. Using this identifier could lead to identification errors.
Choice D rationale:
Room number is not a suitable identifier for confirming a client's identity. Room numbers are not unique to individual clients and can change based on hospital assignments. Relying on room numbers can lead to confusion and medication errors.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
- A. Discussing the suspicion of physical abuse with the provider is the appropriate action for the nurse to take. However, this should be done after the matter is reported to child protection services.
- B. Confronting the parents with the suspicion of physical abuse is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take, as it can escalate the situation and endanger the child or the nurse.
- C. Asking the hospital security to detain and question the parents is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take, as it violates the parents' rights and may interfere with the legal process.
- D.Contacting Child Protective Services is appropriate action for the nurse to take at this point as it is the nurse's legal responsibility to do so.
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