Summary
Summary ( 16 Questions)
A nurse is planning care for a child who has pertussis (whooping cough). Which of
the following interventions should be included in
the plan?
This is not a priority intervention. The nurse should encourage oral fluids and soft foods to prevent dehydration and maintain nutrition, but this is not as important as monitoring the child for respiratory distress.
This is an incorrect intervention. The nurse should not administer antitussive medication to a child who has pertussis, because it can suppress the cough reflex and increase the risk of mucus accumulation and airway obstruction.
This is not a priority intervention. The nurse should provide humidified oxygen via nasal cannula to moisten the airways and ease breathing, but this is not as important as monitoring the child for respiratory distress.
This is a priority intervention. The nurse should monitor the child for signs of respiratory distress, such as cyanosis, tachypnea, retractions, or nasal flaring, because pertussis can cause severe coughing spells that can interfere with breathing.
Choice A reason: This is not a priority intervention. The nurse should encourage oral fluids and soft foods to prevent dehydration and maintain nutrition, but this is not as important as monitoring the child for respiratory distress.
Choice B reason: This is an incorrect intervention. The nurse should not administer antitussive medication to a child who has pertussis, because it can suppress the cough reflex and increase the risk of mucus accumulation and airway obstruction.
Choice C reason: This is not a priority intervention. The nurse should provide humidified oxygen via nasal cannula to moisten the airways and ease breathing, but this is not as important as monitoring the child for respiratory distress.
Choice D reason: This is a priority intervention. The nurse should monitor the child for signs of respiratory distress, such as cyanosis, tachypnea, retractions, or nasal flaring, because pertussis can cause severe coughing spells that can interfere with breathing.