A nurse is preparing a client for a paracentesis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct answer: A. Have the child take a tub bath each morning

A. Have the child take a tub bath each morning: Warm tub baths are recommended for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) as they help to relieve joint stiffness and pain, especially in the morning. The warm water can soothe the joints, making movement easier and reducing discomfort throughout the day.

B. Apply splints to the child's extremities during the day: While splints may be used in JIA, they are typically applied during the night (resting splints) to maintain joint position and prevent contractures. Daytime use of splints (working splints) may be considered in certain situations, but generally, children are encouraged to be as active as possible during the day to maintain joint mobility.

C. Encourage the child to take naps during the day: While rest is important, encouraging too much rest during the day may contribute to joint stiffness. Regular activity helps maintain joint function and mobility, which is essential in managing JIA.

D. Keep the child on bedrest as long as pain persists: Prolonged bedrest is not recommended for children with JIA. It can lead to muscle atrophy, increased stiffness, and reduced joint mobility. Instead, the focus should be on maintaining activity within the child's pain tolerance and using pain management strategies.

A. Encouraging oral fluids is an important intervention for a child who has a fever, as it helps prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. However, it is not the priority intervention, as it does not address the risk of infection transmission to other clients or staff.
C. Applying topical calamine lotion may help soothe the itching and discomfort caused by the vesicles, but it is not the priority intervention, as it does not prevent infection transmission or treat the underlying cause of the fever.
B. Administering acetaminophen as an antipyretic may help reduce the fever and provide symptomatic relief for the child, but it is not the priority intervention, as it does not prevent infection transmission or treat the underlying cause of the fever.
D. Initiating transmission-based precautions is the priority intervention, as it protects other clients and staff from exposure to the infectious agent that causes the vesicles and fever. The nurse should wear gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection when caring for the child, and place them in a private room or cohort them with other clients who have similar symptoms.