In assessing a 2-year-old boy with croup, the practical nurse (PN) finds that he has become increasingly irritable and has developed tachypnea and resting stridor. Which intervention is best for the PN to implement?
Instruct the mother to play with the child for stimulation and distraction.
Administer a dose of acetaminophen as needed.
Monitor the child's oxygen saturation level via pulse oximetry.
Encourage the child to drink adequate amounts of fluids.
The Correct Answer is C
Croup is a respiratory infection that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airway, resulting in a barking cough, hoarseness, and stridor. The PN should monitor the child's oxygen saturation level via pulse oximetry, as it can indicate the severity of the airway obstruction and the need for supplemental oxygen or other interventions.
The other options are not correct because:
A. Instructing the mother to play with the child for stimulation and distraction may worsen the child's condition, as it can increase his respiratory demand and anxiety.
B. Administering a dose of acetaminophen as needed may help reduce fever or pain, but it does not address the underlying cause of croup or improve airway patency.
D. Encouraging the child to drink adequate amounts of fluids may help prevent dehydration and thin the secretions, but it does not relieve the inflammation or narrowing of the airway.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice D.
Choice A rationale: Enrolling the UAP in a hospital education class on conducting safe client care is not an immediate response and does not address the current situation. It may be a longer-term solution for ongoing education.
Choice B rationale: Praising the UAP for performing oral hygiene and encouraging family participation does not address the immediate safety concern of the procedure being performed correctly.
Choice C rationale: Telling the UAP to continue because the unconscious client is positioned safely is incorrect. The client should not be in a flat side-lying position as it increases the risk of aspiration during oral hygiene.
Choice D rationale: Stopping the procedure and telling the UAP to place the client in a Fowler's position is correct. The Fowler's position helps maintain an open airway and reduces the risk of aspiration during oral hygiene in an unconscious client.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is choice B: Thinning of the skin with loss of elasticity.
Choice A rationale:
While a decreased ability to communicate can be a significant challenge in elderly clients, it is not the primary physical characteristic of aging that contributes to the risk of pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers develop due to prolonged pressure on specific areas of the skin, leading to reduced blood flow and tissue damage.
Choice B rationale:
Thinning of the skin with loss of elasticity is a critical physical characteristic of aging that contributes to the risk of pressure ulcers. As the skin becomes thinner and less elastic with age, it becomes more susceptible to injury from pressure and shear forces, increasing the likelihood of developing pressure ulcers.
Choice C rationale:
A 16 percent increase in overall body fat does not directly contribute to the risk of pressure ulcers. While changes in body composition occur with aging, the primary risk factors for pressure ulcers are related to skin integrity and mobility, not body fat percentage.
Choice D rationale:
Calcium loss in the bones (osteoporosis) is not the main contributing factor to pressure ulcers. Osteoporosis primarily affects bone density and strength but does not directly influence the development of pressure ulcers.
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