Ivytech Community college Lawrence campus paediatric exam
Ivytech Community college Lawrence campus paediatric exam ( 38 Questions)
The caregivers of a 2-year-old who has had a common cold for 4 days calls the nurse in the emergency department at 2 AM on a cold winter night to say that the child has awakened with a barking cough and an elevated temperature. The caregiver reports she has taken the child into the bathroom and ran hot water for 15 minutes and now the child seems blue around her mouth The nurse would most appropriately recommend what action to the caregiver?
“Bring the child to the emergency room immediately.”This is the most appropriate recommendation given the symptoms described, including the barking cough, elevated temperature, and blueness around the mouth. These signs may indicate respiratory distress, and immediate medical attention is needed.
“Bundle the child up and take her out into the cold for a few minutes. Call back if the exposure to the cold air does not provide relief.”Taking a child out into the cold is not a recommended intervention for respiratory distress. This action may exacerbate the child's breathing difficulties. The symptoms described require urgent evaluation in a healthcare setting.
“Take the child into the steam-filled room for an additional 15 minutes. If there is no relief, bring the child to the emergency room.”While steam may provide temporary relief for mild respiratory symptoms, the presence of blueness around the mouth suggests a more severe condition. Delaying care by waiting for an additional 15 minutes may not be appropriate in this situation.
“Put a cool mist humidifier or vaporizer in the room to see if that relieves the cough. Call back if there’s no relief in an hour.”
Using a cool mist humidifier may be helpful for mild respiratory symptoms, but the severity of the symptoms described, especially blueness around the mouth, indicates a need for immediate medical attention. Waiting for an hour could lead to worsening of the child's condition.
A. “Bring the child to the emergency room immediately.”
This is the most appropriate recommendation given the symptoms described, including the barking cough, elevated temperature, and blueness around the mouth. These signs may indicate respiratory distress, and immediate medical attention is needed.
B. “Bundle the child up and take her out into the cold for a few minutes. Call back if the exposure to the cold air does not provide relief.”
Taking a child out into the cold is not a recommended intervention for respiratory distress. This action may exacerbate the child's breathing difficulties. The symptoms described require urgent evaluation in a healthcare setting.
C. “Take the child into the steam-filled room for an additional 15 minutes. If there is no relief, bring the child to the emergency room.”
While steam may provide temporary relief for mild respiratory symptoms, the presence of blueness around the mouth suggests a more severe condition. Delaying care by waiting for an additional 15 minutes may not be appropriate in this situation.
D. “Put a cool mist humidifier or vaporizer in the room to see if that relieves the cough. Call back if there’s no relief in an hour.”
Using a cool mist humidifier may be helpful for mild respiratory symptoms, but the severity of the symptoms described, especially blueness around the mouth, indicates a need for immediate medical attention. Waiting for an hour could lead to worsening of the child's condition.