A nurse is caring for a 9-year-old child on the pediatric unit.
Complete the following sentence by using the lists of options.
The nurse should plan to
The Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"C","dropdown-group-2":"B"}
Rationale for correct choices
• Inspect the child's oropharynx: Vomiting bright red emesis after tonsillectomy indicates possible postoperative hemorrhage. Immediate inspection of the oropharynx allows the nurse to assess the source, amount, and severity of bleeding. Prompt identification of bleeding is critical to prevent hypovolemic shock and guide urgent interventions.
• Obtaining a set of vital signs: Vital signs provide objective data about the child’s hemodynamic status. Tachycardia, hypotension, or altered respiratory rate may indicate significant blood loss. Monitoring blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation helps determine the urgency of treatment and guides fluid resuscitation or other emergency measures.
Rationale for incorrect choices
• Place the child in a supine position: Placing the child supine could worsen bleeding or increase the risk of aspiration if emesis occurs. Standard care is to maintain the child upright or sitting forward to allow drainage and minimize airway compromise. Supine positioning is not appropriate immediately after post-tonsillectomy bleeding.
• Offer the child a red popsicle: Red-colored foods or drinks can mask the presence of ongoing bleeding, delaying recognition of hemorrhage. It is unsafe to offer red popsicles until bleeding is ruled out and the child is stable. Non-red liquids or clear fluids are safer during assessment.
• Encouraging the child to cough and deep breathe: While coughing and deep breathing are important for postoperative respiratory care, they are contraindicated if active bleeding is suspected. Coughing could dislodge clots and exacerbate hemorrhage. Airway safety and hemodynamic assessment take priority.
• Requesting a prescription for codeine: Administering codeine for pain is inappropriate in the presence of suspected bleeding because opioids can mask symptoms and depress respirations. Pain management should be secondary to stabilization and assessment of hemorrhage risk.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","F","G","H","I","J", "L"]
Explanation
Rationale for correct choices
• Temperature 38.2° C (100.8° F). An elevated temperature in a postpartum client may indicate infection, especially in the context of prolonged rupture of membranes and cesarean delivery. Prompt follow-up is required to identify the source and initiate treatment to prevent progression to sepsis.
• WBC count 33,000/mm³. A markedly elevated WBC suggests an active inflammatory or infectious process. In postpartum clients, leukocytosis can signal endometritis, mastitis, or surgical site infection, necessitating immediate assessment and intervention.
• Client reports feeling unwell. A general feeling of being ill or "not right" in a postpartum client with fever is a significant subjective finding often preceding more objective signs of infection/sepsis.
• Uterus firm at 1 cm above the umbillous and tender to palpation. Uterine tenderness combined with fever and foul-smelling lochia is a cardinal sign of endometritis (infection of the uterine lining), the most common postpartum infection, especially after Cesarean section.
• Moderate amount of dark brown, foul-smelling lochia. Foul-smelling lochia is a hallmark of uterine infection such as endometritis. Combined with fever and leukocytosis, this finding warrants urgent evaluation, monitoring, and possible initiation of antibiotics.
• Breasts firm, heavy, and warm with nipple discomfort. These signs are consistent with mastitis, particularly in a breastfeeding client. Early recognition and treatment with supportive measures or antibiotics prevent worsening infection and systemic involvement.
• Fundus boggy but firmed with massage. A boggy fundus indicates uterine atony, which can lead to postpartum hemorrhage. Immediate attention is required to prevent excessive blood loss and maintain hemodynamic stability.
Rationale for incorrect choices
• Vital signs: Heart rate while slightly elevated can be physiologic due to postpartum recovery, mild fever, or pain. Respiratory rate is within normal limits for adults; does not indicate acute compromise. Blood pressure is within normal postpartum range and does not signal hemodynamic instability at this time. Oxygen saturation is normal, indicating adequate oxygenation.
• Surgical incision well approximated with slight edema, no redness or drainage: Mild edema at the incision site is expected and not indicative of infection at this time. Regular monitoring is appropriate.
• No bowel movement since birth, hypoactive bowel sounds: Delayed bowel movements and hypoactive sounds are common postpartum, especially after cesarean section. Monitoring and supportive care are sufficient unless other symptoms develop.
Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"A","dropdown-group-2":"B"}
Explanation
Rationale for correct choices
• Compartment syndrome: The child has a nondisplaced fracture of the radius and ulna, which can lead to swelling and increased pressure within the forearm compartments. Compartment syndrome is a serious complication that can compromise circulation and nerve function if not identified and treated promptly. Early recognition is critical to prevent permanent muscle and nerve damage.
• Paresthesia: The child reports mild tingling in the fingers, indicating early sensory nerve involvement. Paresthesia is a key early sign of neurovascular compromise in compartment syndrome. Monitoring for worsening tingling, numbness, or pain is essential for timely intervention, such as fasciotomy if needed.
Rationale for incorrect choices
• Deep vein thrombosis: DVT is uncommon in pediatric patients, especially in the absence of immobility, central lines, or hypercoagulable conditions. While fractures increase risk in adults, it is not the highest-priority risk in this 9-year-old child with an acute upper extremity fracture.
• Malunion: Malunion refers to healing of a fracture in an abnormal position. While possible, this risk develops over time and is not the immediate concern in the acute phase. Neurovascular compromise and compartment syndrome are more urgent.
• Type of fracture: While the fracture type (nondisplaced radius and ulna) informs management, it does not by itself represent the complication risk. The clinical symptoms of tingling are more directly indicative of acute neurovascular compromise.
• Ecchymosis: Bruising reflects local tissue trauma but is not a definitive indicator of compartment syndrome. Ecchymosis should be monitored but does not provide the highest-priority evidence of risk.
• Location of fracture: The midshaft location guides treatment, such as splinting, but the presence of paresthesia is more directly associated with risk for compartment syndrome. Location alone does not indicate imminent neurovascular compromise.
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