A nurse is planning care for a toddler who has developed oral ulcers in response to chemotherapy.
Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Choice A rationale:

Checking oxygen saturation every 4 hours is a monitoring parameter for patients with respiratory issues but is not the priority in a child with acute epiglottitis. Airway management and infection control are more critical in this situation.

Choice B rationale:

Obtaining a throat culture is important to confirm the diagnosis of epiglottitis. However, initiating isolation precautions and ensuring the child's airway is secure take precedence in the immediate care of a child with acute epiglottitis.

Choice C rationale:

Assisting the child into a supine position is contraindicated in acute epiglottitis. This position can further compromise the airway by obstructing it. The child should be allowed to sit in a position of comfort, usually sitting upright and leaning slightly forward.

Choice D rationale:

Initiating droplet isolation precautions is crucial when dealing with a suspected or confirmed case of epiglottitis. Epiglottitis is highly contagious and is transmitted via respiratory droplets. Isolation precautions help prevent the spread of the infection to others.

The correct answer is choiceb. “We will place the diaper under the straps.”

Choice A rationale:

Adjusting the straps daily is not recommended.The straps should only be adjusted by a healthcare professional to ensure proper fit and effectiveness.

Choice B rationale:

Placing the diaper under the straps is correct.This helps to keep the harness clean and dry, and ensures that the straps remain in the correct position.

Choice C rationale:

The duration of wearing the Pavlik harness is typically longer than 2 weeks.It is usually worn for about 6-12 weeks, depending on the doctor’s recommendation.

Choice D rationale:

Applying lotion to the skin under the straps is not advised as it can cause skin irritation and affect the fit of the harness.