The nurse is caring for a 10-year-old who has an acute head injury, has a pediatric Glasgow coma score of 9. and is unconscious. Which interventions should the nurse include in the child's care plan?
Elevate the head of the bed 15 to 30 degrees with head maintained a midline position.
Maintain an active stimulating environment
Perform active chest percussion and suctioning every 1 to 2 hours.
Instruct child on preforming active range of motion
The Correct Answer is A
A. Elevate the head of the bed 15 to 30 degrees with head maintained a midline position.
Correct Explanation: This intervention is appropriate for a child with an acute head injury.
Explanation: Elevating the head of the bed helps reduce intracranial pressure by facilitating venous drainage from the head. However, it's important to keep the head in a midline position to prevent neck flexion, which can obstruct venous flow. Elevating the head 15 to 30 degrees is a standard approach for managing intracranial pressure in patients with head injuries.
B. Maintain an active stimulating environment.
Incorrect Explanation: Maintaining an active stimulating environment is not suitable for a child with an acute head injury.
Explanation: A child with an acute head injury should be in a quiet and calm environment. Overstimulation can worsen the condition by increasing intracranial pressure. It's important to minimize stimuli to allow the brain to heal.
C. Perform active chest percussion and suctioning every 1 to 2 hours.
Incorrect Explanation: Chest percussion and suctioning are not relevant interventions for an acute head injury.
Explanation: Active chest percussion and suctioning are typically used to manage respiratory conditions. While maintaining good respiratory function is important for overall patient care, it's not a primary intervention for an unconscious child with a head injury.
D. Instruct child on performing active range of motion.
Incorrect Explanation: Instructing the child on performing active range of motion is not appropriate for an unconscious child with a head injury.
Explanation: An unconscious child cannot actively perform range of motion exercises. Additionally, it's not a priority intervention in the acute phase of head injury management.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["C","D"]
Explanation
A. The fact that the patient is male
Incorrect Explanation: The patient's gender does not directly provide important information about the history of reflux.
Explanation: Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), which is the retrograde flow of urine from the bladder into the ureters, can affect individuals of any gender. While gender might have some implications for certain conditions, it is not a critical factor in understanding the history of reflux.
B. The fact that the patient is female.
Incorrect Explanation: The patient's gender does not directly provide important information about the history of reflux.
Explanation: Just like with the previous option, the patient's gender does not play a significant role in the history of vesicoureteral reflux. The condition can affect both males and females.
C. Developmental milestones
Correct Explanation: Developmental milestones are important in understanding the history of reflux.
Explanation: Developmental milestones are significant because VUR is more common in infants and young children. Infants and young children have a higher likelihood of developing reflux due to the immaturity of their urinary tract systems. Knowing about the patient's developmental milestones can help assess the risk and potential severity of reflux.
D. The number of urinary tract infections the patient has had
Correct Explanation: The number of urinary tract infections (UTIs) is important in understanding the history of reflux.
Explanation: Repeated urinary tract infections can be a sign of vesicoureteral reflux. The backflow of urine from the bladder into the ureters can contribute to UTIs. Monitoring the frequency of UTIs can provide insights into the presence and severity of reflux.
Correct Answer is ["C","D","E"]
Explanation
A) Place a tongue depressor in the client's mouth:
Incorrect. Placing a tongue depressor in the client's mouth is not recommended during a seizure. Doing so can lead to injury, as the child may bite down on the depressor and cause harm to their teeth or mouth.
B) Restrain the client:
Incorrect. Restraining a person during a seizure can be extremely dangerous. It can lead to physical harm to both the person experiencing the seizure and the person trying to restrain them. Restraining can increase the risk of fractures, dislocations, and other injuries.
C) Assess the client's airway patency:
Correct. Assessing the client's airway patency is essential during a seizure. The nurse should ensure that the child's airway is clear and open to maintain proper breathing. This involves observing for any obstruction or difficulty in breathing and taking appropriate measures to keep the airway open.
D) Remove objects from the client's bed:
Correct. Removing objects from the client's bed is a necessary action to prevent injury during a seizure. Objects on the bed can pose a risk of harm to the child if they were to strike them during the seizure. Creating a safe environment by removing potential hazards is important.
E) Place the client in a side-lying position:
Correct. Placing the client in a side-lying position is recommended during a seizure. This position helps prevent aspiration and maintains a clear airway. It also reduces the risk of choking and allows any fluids to drain from the mouth, minimizing the risk of choking.
In summary:
Choice A is incorrect because placing a tongue depressor can cause injury.
Choice B is incorrect because restraining can lead to harm.
Choice C is correct because assessing the airway ensures proper breathing.
Choice D is correct because removing objects reduces the risk of injury.
Choice E is correct because placing the client in a side-lying position helps maintain a clear airway and prevents aspiration.
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