A nurse is caring for a child who has Kawasaki disease.

Which of the following systems should the nurse monitor in response to this diagnosis?

Choice A rationale
Monitoring vaginal bleeding is the priority nursing action for a client who is at 33 weeks of gestation and has a diagnosis of placenta previa. Placenta previa can cause painless, bright red vaginal bleeding during the third trimester. This bleeding can lead to serious complications for both the mother and the fetus, making it crucial to monitor for this symptom.
Choice B rationale
Administering glucocorticoids is not the priority nursing action in this situation. While glucocorticoids can be used to accelerate fetal lung maturity in cases of preterm labor, they are not the primary treatment for placenta previa.
Choice C rationale
Inserting an IV catheter may be necessary for administering medications or fluids, but it is not the priority action. The nurse’s primary concern should be monitoring for signs of bleeding.
Choice D rationale
Applying an external fetal monitor can help assess the well-being of the fetus, but it is not the priority action. The nurse’s main focus should be on monitoring for vaginal bleeding.

Choice A rationale
While an area of warmth can be a symptom of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), it is not the most specific or indicative symptom. DVT is a condition in which blood clots form in veins located deep inside the body, usually in the thigh or lower legs. The most common symptoms include swelling of the foot, ankle, or leg, usually on one side, cramping of the affected leg, severe leg pain, and skin on the affected area that is warmer than the skin on surrounding areas.
However, these symptoms can also be associated with other conditions, making them less specific for DVT.
Choice B rationale
Nausea is not typically a symptom of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The most common symptoms of DVT include swelling of the foot, ankle, or leg, usually on one side, cramping of the affected leg, severe leg pain, and skin on the affected area that is warmer than the skin on surrounding areas.
Choice C rationale
A cool-to-touch extremity is not typically a symptom of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In fact, the skin over the affected area is often warmer than the skin on surrounding areas. Therefore, a cool-to-touch extremity would not typically be expected in a client with suspected DVT.
Choice D rationale
Calf tenderness when massaged is a common clinical finding in clients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT)2. DVT often causes pain and swelling in the affected leg, and this pain can be particularly noticeable or worsen when the calf is massaged or the client is standing or walking. Therefore, calf tenderness when massaged would be a clinical finding that a nurse should anticipate in a client being admitted with a suspected DVT.