Which client on an acute care pediatric unit requires the nurse’s immediate attention?

Choice A rationale
Projectile vomiting is a common symptom in infants with pyloric stenosis. This is due to the narrowing of the pylorus, the muscular valve at the bottom of the stomach, which prevents breast milk or formula from passing through to the small intestine.
Choice B rationale
Effortless regurgitation is not typically associated with pyloric stenosis. The hallmark symptom of pyloric stenosis is projectile vomiting.
Choice C rationale
Metabolic acidosis is not a typical symptom of pyloric stenosis. The hallmark symptom of pyloric stenosis is projectile vomiting.
Choice D rationale
While a distended abdomen can occur in some cases of pyloric stenosis, it is not the most common symptom. The hallmark symptom of pyloric stenosis is projectile vomiting.

Choice A rationale
While pain management is important following a cleft palate repair, it does not typically require immediate attention. Pain can be managed with appropriate analgesics and does not typically present an immediate risk to the patient’s health.
Choice B rationale
A patient refusing to ambulate following an appendectomy does not typically require immediate attention. Encouraging mobility is important for recovery, but refusal to ambulate does not present an immediate risk to the patient’s health.
Choice C rationale
Frequent swallowing following a tonsillectomy could indicate post-operative bleeding, which requires immediate attention. Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage can be a life-threatening condition that requires immediate intervention.
Choice D rationale
While pain at the site of an IV infusion should be addressed, it does not typically require immediate attention unless there are signs of infection or infiltration. It does not present an immediate risk to the patient’s health.