A nurse is preparing to admit a 6-year-old with varicella to the pediatric unit.

Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

The correct answer is choice C, frequent swallowing.

This indicates that the child may be experiencing hemorrhage because they are trying to clear the blood from their throat. Frequent swallowing is one of the initial signs of bleeding immediately after tonsillectomy.

Choice A is wrong because elevated pain level is not a specific sign of hemorrhage.

Pain is expected after a tonsillectomy and can be managed with medication and fluids.

Choice B is wrong because increased drowsiness is not a specific sign of hemorrhage.

Drowsiness can be caused by anesthesia, medication, or dehydration.

Choice D is wrong because diminished breath sounds are not a specific sign of hemorrhage.

Diminished breath sounds can be caused by respiratory infection, asthma, or bronchospasm.

Normal ranges for hemoglobin and hematocrit are 11.5 to 15.5 g/dL and 34 to 45% for children, respectively.

Normal ranges for platelet count are 150,000 to 450,000/mm3 for both children and adults.

Normal ranges for plasma clotting variables depend on the specific test and method used.

safety followed by the client’s pain.

The nurse should first address the client’s safety because it is the most basic and essential need according to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The client may be at risk of abuse or neglect from his adult child, as evidenced by the bruises, body odor, unclean clothes, low BMI, and submissive behavior. The nurse should assess the client for signs of physical or emotional abuse and report any suspicions to the appropriate authorities. The nurse should also provide a safe and supportive environment for the client and encourage him to express his feelings and concerns.

The nurse should then address the client’s pain because it is a physiological need that affects the client’s comfort and well-being. The client rates his pain as 8 on a 0 to 10 scale and is not moving his right arm. The nurse should assess the client’s arm for signs of injury, such as swelling, deformity, or bleeding. The nurse should also administer analgesics as prescribed and monitor the client’s response to pain relief. The nurse should also provide non-pharmacological interventions, such as ice packs, elevation, or distraction.

The other choices are less urgent than safety and pain. The client’s abrasions are superficial and do not pose a significant risk of infection or bleeding. The client’s hygiene is important but not a priority at this time. The client’s BMI indicates that he is underweight, but this is a chronic condition that requires long-term nutritional intervention. The client’s heart rate is slightly elevated but not alarming, and may be due to pain, anxiety, or dehydration.