A nurse is caring for an infant who has gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent regurgitation? (Select all that apply.)

A. Increased respiratory rate: An increased respiratory rate may indicate that the child is experiencing respiratory distress or discomfort, which could be a sign that suctioning was not effective or that it was too aggressive. Ideally, after suctioning, the child's respiratory rate should stabilize or decrease as they are able to breathe more comfortably with a clear airway.

B. Decreased oxygen saturation: A decreased oxygen saturation level may indicate that the child is not receiving enough oxygen, which could be a sign of ineffective suctioning or airway obstruction. Effective suctioning should improve oxygenation by removing secretions and allowing for better airflow. A decrease in oxygen saturation would suggest the need for further assessment and intervention.

C. Clear breath sounds: This is the correct option. Clear breath sounds indicate that the airway has been effectively cleared of excess secretions, allowing for clear airflow. After suctioning, the nurse should listen for clear breath sounds without any crackles, wheezes, or other abnormal sounds indicating obstruction or congestion.

D. Increased oral secretions: Increased oral secretions may suggest that suctioning was not effective in clearing secretions from the airway, leading to pooling of secretions in the mouth. Effective suctioning should remove excess secretions from the airway, reducing the need for excessive oral secretions.

A. Place the child in a left lateral position: Placing the child in a left lateral position is not the priority action for a preschooler with epiglottitis. Epiglottitis is a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis, which can rapidly progress to airway obstruction. The priority is to maintain a patent airway and ensure adequate oxygenation.

B. Obtain a specimen from the child's throat for a culture: While obtaining a throat culture may be necessary to identify the causative organism and guide antibiotic therapy, it is not the immediate priority in the management of epiglottitis. Airway management and stabilization take precedence.

C. Inspect the child's throat with a padded tongue depressor: Direct visualization of the throat with a padded tongue depressor is contraindicated in a child with suspected epiglottitis. This action can trigger a gag reflex and potentially cause airway obstruction or exacerbate respiratory distress. Epiglottitis is a medical emergency, and any manipulation of the airway should be performed cautiously by experienced healthcare providers in a controlled setting.

D. Initiate droplet precautions for the child: Droplet precautions are appropriate for a child with suspected or confirmed epiglottitis due to the risk of transmission of the causative organism, usually Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), through respiratory droplets. However, the immediate priority is to secure the airway and provide respiratory support. Once the child's airway is stabilized, appropriate infection control measures, including droplet precautions, should be implemented to prevent the spread of infection to others.