A nurse is caring for a preschool-aged child who presents with manifestations of epiglottitis. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority to perform?

B. The most serious complication associated with skeletal traction is osteomyelitis, an infection that involves the bone. This condition can occur when organisms gain access to the bone either systemically or through the openings created by the metal pins or wires used in the traction.

A. Increased blood pressure can occur for various reasons but it is not the most serious complication associated with skeletal traction.

C. A decrease in urine output could indicate systemic infection which is a late feature of osteomyelitis and therefore, not the earliest to monitor.

D. Changes in appetite can occur in response to pain or stress but they are not typically the most serious complication associated with skeletal traction.

B. Reye's syndrome is characterized by swelling of the brain (cerebral edema), which can lead to increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Monitoring for signs of increased ICP, such as changes in level of consciousness, headache, vomiting, and altered pupil size and reactivity, is crucial for early detection and intervention to prevent neurological deterioration.

A. Reye's syndrome primarily affects the liver and brain, leading to liver dysfunction and encephalopathy. While renal involvement can occur in some cases, the priority complication typically relates to liver dysfunction and neurological manifestations rather than renal impairment.

C. Hyperglycemia may be present due to liver dysfunction and altered glucose metabolism, but it is not the primary concern compared to neurological complications and hepatic failure.

D. Reye's syndrome is not caused by a bacterial infection; it is typically associated with viral illnesses, particularly influenza and varicella (chickenpox).