A nurse is performing a neurological examination on a client as part of a complete physical assessment.
The nurse should identify that cranial nerve XI is intact when the client performs which of the following actions?

 

The correct answer is Choice B: Assign the child to a negative air pressure room.

Choice A rationale: Assessing the child for Koplik spots is not appropriate in this situation because Koplik spots are associated with measles, not varicella. Koplik spots are small, white, irregular lesions that appear on the buccal mucosa during the prodromal phase of measles. They do not present in cases of varicella, which is characterized by a pruritic, vesicular rash.

Choice B rationale: Assigning the child to a negative air pressure room is the most suitable action because varicella is highly contagious and can be transmitted through airborne particles. A negative air pressure room helps to contain these particles and minimize the risk of infection transmission to other patients, healthcare workers, and visitors. Airborne precautions are the recommended infection control measures for managing varicella cases in healthcare settings.

Choice C rationale: Utilizing droplet precautions alone is insufficient for managing varicella because the virus can also be spread through airborne particles. While droplet precautions may be a component of the overall infection control strategy, they are inadequate without the additional implementation of airborne precautions, such as a negative air pressure room.

Choice D rationale: Administering aspirin to a child with a viral illness is generally contraindicated due to the potential risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but severe condition characterized by liver failure and encephalopathy. It is essential to follow appropriate guidelines for managing fever and discomfort in pediatric patients with varicella, which typically involve using acetaminophen or ibuprofen instead of aspirin.

Answer is: c. Protect the IV bag from exposure to light.

Explanation: Nitroprusside degrades when exposed to light, so the nurse should protect the IV bag from light exposure to maintain the medication's potency and effectiveness in treating the client's severe hypertension.

Choice a. is wrong because calcium gluconate is used as an antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity. Although it may be kept on hand in some facilities, it is not directly related to the administration of nitroprusside.

Choice b. is wrong because attaching an inline filter is not necessary when administering nitroprusside. It is more relevant for medications that require filtration, such as certain chemotherapeutic agents.

Choice d. is wrong because monitoring blood pressure every 2 hours is not frequent enough for a client receiving nitroprusside. The nurse should monitor the client's blood pressure more frequently, such as every 5 to 15 minutes, depending on facility policies and the client's condition.