A nurse is caring for a child who has bacterial meningitis.
Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the child can be removed from droplet precautions?
Antibiotics initiated 24 hr ago
Negative Cerebrospinal fluid culture
Absent nuchal rigidity
Temperature below 37.4 C (99.4F)
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is A. Antibiotics initiated 24 hr ago.
Explanation:
Children with bacterial meningitis require droplet precautions to prevent the spread of infection. These precautions can typically be discontinued after 24 hours of effective antibiotic therapy, as the risk of transmission significantly decreases.
Why the other options are incorrect:
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B. Negative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture – While a negative CSF culture confirms the absence of bacteria, cultures may take several days to process. Droplet precautions are usually lifted based on treatment duration, not pending lab results.
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C. Absent nuchal rigidity – Nuchal rigidity (stiff neck) is a symptom of meningitis, but its resolution does not determine infectious risk.
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D. Temperature below 37.4°C (99.4°F) – Fever reduction is a sign of improvement but does not indicate that the infection is no longer transmissible.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Placing gates at the top and bottom of stairs is an important safety measure for infants. This can prevent falls, which are a common cause of injury in this age group.
Choice B rationale
Ensuring the crib mattress is in the lowest position is another important safety measure. As infants grow and begin to sit, stand, and climb, a high mattress position can increase the risk of falls.
Choice C rationale
Removing labels from containers that contain toxic substances is not recommended. It’s important to keep these substances out of reach of children, and the labels provide important information about the contents and potential hazards.
Choice D rationale
Keeping toilet lids in the upright position is not recommended. Infants can be curious and may try to explore or play with water in the toilet, which can lead to accidents or injuries.
Choice E rationale
Selecting a toy chest that has a heavy, hinged lid is not recommended. This could pose a risk of injury if the lid were to close unexpectedly, and small fingers could get caught.
Correct Answer is ["A"]
Explanation
The correct answer is choice a. Discourage the child from coughing.
Choice A rationale:
Discouraging the child from coughing is important because coughing can dislodge clots and cause bleeding at the surgical site, which is a common complication after a tonsillectomy.
Choice B rationale:
Providing cranberry juice to the child is not recommended because acidic juices can irritate the throat and cause discomfort or pain.
Choice C rationale:
Maintaining the child in a supine position is not ideal as it can increase the risk of aspiration. Instead, the child should be positioned on their side or with the head elevated to facilitate drainage and reduce the risk of aspiration.
Choice D rationale:
Administering an analgesic to the child on a scheduled basis is important for pain management, but it is not the most immediate action to take one hour postoperatively. Pain management should be part of the overall care plan.
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