A nurse is caring for a client.

Exhibits

Which of the following actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)

A. Poorly coordinated care and nosocomial infections are examples of errors: While poorly coordinated care can lead to adverse events, nosocomial infections are typically classified as healthcare-associated infections rather than errors. Errors generally refer to mistakes made in clinical practice that can lead to harm, whereas nosocomial infections are outcomes that arise from the healthcare environment.
B. As many as 90% of medication errors are preventable: This statement is true and highlights the significant opportunity for improvement in patient safety. Recognizing that a large percentage of medication errors can be prevented underscores the importance of implementing safety protocols, effective communication, and education to reduce the likelihood of errors occurring in clinical practice.
C. Errors of execution are usually intentional and occur because of time or resource constraints: This statement is misleading, as errors of execution typically refer to mistakes made during the performance of a task rather than intentional actions. These errors often occur due to lack of knowledge, skill, or attention rather than being intentional, and they are not solely attributed to time or resource constraints.
D. Medication errors are adverse events: While medication errors can lead to adverse events, not all medication errors result in harm. An adverse event is defined as an injury caused by medical management rather than the underlying condition of the patient, so this statement is not entirely accurate. Medication errors can be classified as near misses or adverse events, depending on whether they resulted in harm to the patient.

• Respiratory Rate: LTB, Epiglottitis, Foreign Body Aspiration. An increased respiratory rate (tachypnea) is common in both conditions due to airway obstruction and respiratory distress. In epiglottitis, inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis severely restrict airflow, leading to tachypnea. Similarly, foreign body aspiration can cause partial obstruction, increasing respiratory effort and rate. Increased respiratory rate is a significant finding in LTB due to airway narrowing and respiratory distress. The body compensates for the partial airway obstruction by increasing ventilation. However, tachypnea in LTB is usually not as severe as in epiglottitis or foreign body aspiration, where airway obstruction is more critical.
• Irritability: LTB, Epiglottitis, Foreign Body Aspiration. Irritability is a common symptom in all three conditions due to hypoxia and respiratory distress. In LTB (croup), inflammation leads to airway narrowing, causing discomfort and restlessness. In epiglottitis, the rapid onset of airway swelling results in agitation. Foreign body aspiration also causes significant distress due to the sudden obstruction of airflow.
• Drooling: Epiglottitis, Foreign Body Aspiration. Drooling is characteristic of epiglottitis because the client cannot swallow due to severe throat pain and airway swelling. It is also seen in foreign body aspiration when an object is lodged in the airway or esophagus, making swallowing difficult. Drooling is not a typical feature of LTB, where coughing and stridor are more prominent.
• Fever: LTB, Epiglottitis. Both LTB and epiglottitis are caused by infections and present with fever. In LTB, viral infections like parainfluenza commonly cause a low-to-moderate fever. Epiglottitis, often caused by bacterial infections such as Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), typically presents with a high fever, as seen in this case. Foreign body aspiration is not associated with fever unless secondary infection develops.
• Immunization Status: Epiglottitis. Epiglottitis is strongly linked to Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), a bacteria preventable by routine childhood vaccination. In unvaccinated individuals or those with incomplete immunization, epiglottitis is more likely to occur. Immunization status does not directly correlate with LTB (which is viral) or foreign body aspiration.