A nurse is caring for a school-age child who has appendicitis.
For which of the following findings should the nurse monitor as a manifestation of a perforated appendix and report to the provider?

Choice A rationale:

Performing a vaginal examination every 12 hours is not necessary in this case. The client is not in labor and there are no indications of any complications that would require frequent vaginal examinations.

Choice B rationale:

The client’s symptoms of severe headache, +3 pitting edema in bilateral lower extremities, and a patellar reflex of 4+ without the presence of clonus are indicative of severe preeclampsia. Antihypertensive medications are often used to manage high blood pressure in preeclampsia.

Choice C rationale:

Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that is given to pregnant women who are at risk of delivering prematurely to help mature the baby’s lungs. Given that the client is at 31 weeks of gestation and has had a previous preterm birth, administering betamethasone would be appropriate.

Choice D rationale:

A low-stimulation environment can help reduce blood pressure and prevent seizures in clients with preeclampsia.

Choice E rationale:

Bed rest can help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the placenta, which can be beneficial for the baby.

Choice F rationale:

Monitoring intake and output every hour can help assess kidney function, which can be affected by preeclampsia.

Choice G rationale:

A 24-hour urine specimen can provide information about protein levels in the urine, which can indicate the severity of preeclampsia. It’s important to note that normal ranges for lab parameters can vary slightly depending on the lab, but generally, protein levels in a 24-hour urine specimen should be less than 300 mg. Pitting edema is usually graded on a scale of 1+ (mild) to 4+ (severe), and a patellar reflex of 4+ is considered hyperactive and may indicate nervous system hyperexcitability seen in severe preeclampsia or eclampsia.

Choice A rationale:

Monitoring for muscle paralysis is crucial in botulism poisoning because it is a characteristic symptom of the condition. Botulinum toxin causes muscle weakness and paralysis, which can lead to respiratory distress. Monitoring for these symptoms allows for timely intervention.

Choice B rationale:

Placing the client in contact isolation is not a priority in botulism poisoning. Botulism is not typically transmitted from person to person, so isolation is not necessary. The focus should be on monitoring and supportive care.

Choice C rationale:

Checking for increased salivation is important because excessive salivation is a symptom of botulism poisoning. However, monitoring for muscle paralysis is more critical as it can lead to respiratory compromise.

Choice D rationale:

Administering clindamycin hydrochloride is not a standard treatment for botulism poisoning. The primary treatment involves supportive care and, in some cases, the administration of antitoxin if available.