A nurse on a pediatric unit is reviewing her client assignment following the shift report. Which of the following clients should the nurse plan to assess first?
An infant who has pertussis and is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula.
A school-age child who has diabetes mellitus and requires blood glucose monitoring.
An adolescent who was admitted to the unit in sickle cell crisis and is ready for discharge instructions.
A toddler who has both arms in casts and needs to be fed his breakfast.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason:
An infant who has pertussis and is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula: Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can be particularly severe in infants. The fact that the infant is receiving oxygen indicates respiratory distress, which is a critical condition requiring immediate attention. Infants with pertussis are at high risk for complications such as pneumonia, apnea, and respiratory failure. Therefore, this patient should be assessed first to ensure their airway and breathing are adequately supported.
Choice B reason:
A school-age child who has diabetes mellitus and requires blood glucose monitoring: While it is important to monitor blood glucose levels in children with diabetes mellitus to prevent hypo- or hyperglycemia, this condition is generally more stable and manageable compared to the acute respiratory distress seen in the infant with pertussis. Blood glucose monitoring can be scheduled and managed, making it a lower priority in this context.
Choice C reason:
An adolescent who was admitted to the unit in sickle cell crisis and is ready for discharge instructions: Sickle cell crisis can be extremely painful and requires careful management. However, if the adolescent is ready for discharge, it indicates that their condition has stabilized. Providing discharge instructions is important but can be deferred until more critical patients are assessed.
Choice D reason:
A toddler who has both arms in casts and needs to be fed his breakfast: While this toddler requires assistance with feeding due to their casts, this situation does not pose an immediate threat to their health. Feeding can be managed after ensuring that more critical patients, such as the infant with pertussis, are stable.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Airborne
Airborne precautions are used for diseases that are transmitted through tiny airborne particles that can remain suspended in the air and be inhaled by others. Examples of diseases requiring airborne precautions include tuberculosis, measles, and chickenpox. These diseases can spread over long distances and through ventilation systems. Pertussis, however, is not transmitted via airborne particles but rather through larger respiratory droplets.
Choice B reason: Contact
Contact precautions are used for infections that are spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or the patient’s environment. This includes infections like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). While contact precautions are important for preventing the spread of certain infections, pertussis is primarily spread through respiratory droplets, making droplet precautions more appropriate.
Choice C reason: Protective
Protective precautions, also known as reverse isolation, are used to protect immunocompromised patients from potential infections. This type of precaution is not intended to prevent the spread of infections from the patient to others but rather to protect the patient from external sources of infection. Examples include patients undergoing chemotherapy or those with severe immunodeficiency. Pertussis does not require protective precautions as it is not about protecting the patient from others.
Choice D reason: Droplet
Droplet precautions are the appropriate transmission-based precautions for pertussis. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is spread through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can travel short distances and can infect others who are in close proximity. Droplet precautions include wearing a mask when within 3 feet of the patient, placing the patient in a private room if possible, and ensuring that the patient wears a mask if they need to be transported.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Administer 50,000 units of heparin by IV bolus every 12 hours: This dosage is incorrect and potentially dangerous. Heparin dosing must be carefully calculated based on the patient’s weight and coagulation test results. Standard practice involves adjusting the dose according to the aPTT levels to maintain therapeutic anticoagulation.
Choice B reason:
Have vitamin K available on the nursing unit: Vitamin K is the antidote for warfarin, not heparin. The antidote for heparin is protamine sulfate. Having the correct antidote available is crucial for managing potential bleeding complications associated with heparin therapy.
Choice C reason:
Use tubing specific for heparin sodium when administering the infusion: While it is important to use appropriate tubing for any IV medication, there is no specific tubing required exclusively for heparin sodium. Standard IV tubing is typically sufficient.
Choice D reason:
Check the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) every 6 hours: This is correct. Monitoring aPTT levels is essential when administering a continuous heparin infusion. The aPTT test measures the time it takes for blood to clot and helps ensure that the heparin dose is within the therapeutic range. Regular monitoring helps prevent both under- and over-anticoagulation, reducing the risk of clotting or bleeding complications.
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