A nurse is caring for a client who had a stroke 6 hr ago. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement to reduce the risk of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?

A. Correct. A 6-month-old infant who has croup and an O2 saturation of 92% on room air is at risk of respiratory distress and hypoxia. Croup causes inflammation and narrowing of the upper airway, which can compromise breathing. An O2 saturation of 92% is below the normal range of 95% to 100% and indicates inadequate oxygenation. This child needs immediate assessment and intervention to prevent further deterioration.

B. Incorrect. A 15-year-old adolescent who is 2 hr postoperative following an open reduction and internal fixation of the left ankle and is requesting pain medication has a priority need for pain management, but not as urgent as a child with respiratory compromise. The nurse should assess the adolescent's pain level, administer the prescribed analgesic, and monitor the effectiveness of the medication.

C. Incorrect. A 3-year-old toddler who has gastroenteritis, moderate dehydration, and had two loose bowel movements over the past 24 hr has a potential risk for fluid and electrolyte imbalance, but not as acute as a child with respiratory compromise. The nurse should monitor the toddler's intake and output, vital signs, weight, and skin turgor, and administer oral or intravenous fluids as prescribed.

D. Incorrect. A 10-year-old child who is awaiting surgery for an appendectomy and experienced sudden relief from pain may have a perforated appendix, which can lead to peritonitis and sepsis. However, this child is not as unstable as a child with respiratory compromise. The nurse should notify the surgeon of the change in pain status, monitor the child's vital signs, abdominal assessment, and laboratory results, and prepare the child for surgery.

A. This choice is correct because a child who has autism spectrum disorder often exhibits strict adherence to routines and rituals, and may become distressed or agitated when there are changes or disruptions to their usual patterns.

B. This choice is incorrect because difficulty paying attention to tasks is not a specific manifestation of autism spectrum disorder, but rather a common symptom of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A child who has autism spectrum disorder may have difficulty focusing on tasks that are not of interest to them, but may also show intense concentration on tasks that are of interest to them.

C. This choice is incorrect because disobedience to authority figures is not a specific manifestation of autism spectrum disorder, but rather a common behavior problem in children and adolescents. A child who has autism spectrum disorder may have difficulty understanding social cues and expectations, but may also show compliance and cooperation when given clear instructions and positive reinforcement.

D. This choice is incorrect because excessive anxiety when separated from parents is not a specific manifestation of autism spectrum disorder, but rather a common symptom of separation anxiety disorder. A child who has autism spectrum disorder may have difficulty forming attachments and expressing emotions, but may also show affection and attachment to familiar people.