A young child is brought to the emergency department with severe dehydration secondary to acute diarrhea and vomiting. Therapeutic management of this child will begin with which intervention?
Clear liquids, 1 to 2 ounces at a time.
Administration of antidiarrheal medication.
Oral rehydration solution (ORS).
Intravenous fluids.
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is choice C: Oral rehydration solution (ORS).
Choice A rationale:
Clear liquids, 1 to 2 ounces at a time, might not be sufficient to adequately rehydrate a child with severe dehydration. Clear liquids lack the necessary electrolytes and glucose content to effectively combat dehydration and replace lost fluids.
Choice B rationale:
Administration of antidiarrheal medication is not the initial step in managing severe dehydration caused by acute diarrhea and vomiting. Antidiarrheal medications can slow down the gastrointestinal motility, which may exacerbate the problem by delaying the elimination of the causative agent and prolonging the dehydration.
Choice C rationale:
Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is the recommended initial intervention for managing severe dehydration caused by acute diarrhea and vomiting. ORS contains the appropriate balance of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) and glucose to replace lost fluids and electrolytes, thereby helping to rehydrate the child effectively. It is absorbed even when digestion is impaired due to the illness.
Choice D rationale:
Intravenous fluids might be necessary if the child's condition is very severe and oral intake cannot be maintained. However, it's not the first-line intervention. Oral rehydration is preferred whenever feasible because it is less invasive and can be administered even in mild to moderate dehydration cases.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice C: Administering penicillin.
Choice A rationale:
Imposing strict bed rest for 4 to 6 weeks. This choice is not the most appropriate therapeutic management for rheumatic fever. While rest is important during the acute phase, strict bed rest for 4 to 6 weeks is excessive and could lead to physical deconditioning and psychological distress for the child.
Choice B rationale:
Administering corticosteroids if chorea develops. This choice is relevant to the management of rheumatic fever but is not the primary treatment. Chorea is a movement disorder that can occur as a complication of rheumatic fever. Corticosteroids may be used to manage chorea symptoms, but they are not the mainstay of treatment for rheumatic fever itself.
Choice C rationale:
Administering penicillin. This is the correct choice. Penicillin is the mainstay of treatment for rheumatic fever. It helps eradicate the group A streptococcal infection that triggers the inflammatory response leading to rheumatic fever. Penicillin is essential to prevent further complications such as rheumatic heart disease.
Choice D rationale:
Avoiding salicylates (aspirin). This choice is also relevant to the management of rheumatic fever. Salicylates, including aspirin, are used to relieve symptoms and reduce inflammation. However, in children with acute rheumatic fever, salicylates are contraindicated due to the risk of developing Reye's syndrome, a serious condition that affects the brain and liver.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice D: Jaundice.
Choice A rationale:
Vomiting can occur in biliary atresia due to the blockage of bile flow, but it is not the earliest clinical manifestation. Jaundice tends to precede vomiting and is a more characteristic early sign of biliary atresia.
Choice B rationale:
Hepatomegaly (enlargement of the liver) is a common finding in biliary atresia, but it usually occurs after the onset of jaundice. Jaundice is an earlier and more specific manifestation of this condition.
Choice C rationale:
Absence of stooling is a sign that might occur in biliary atresia due to the obstructed bile flow, but it is not typically the earliest clinical manifestation. Jaundice is generally the first noticeable sign.
Choice D rationale:
Jaundice is the earliest clinical manifestation of biliary atresia. It is caused by the buildup of bilirubin in the blood due to impaired bile flow from the liver. The jaundice in biliary atresia is typically progressive and can be one of the key indicators for further evaluation and diagnosis.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today