A 7-year-old child with a history of asthma is brought to the emergency department with an acute asthma exacerbation. The child is wheezing and using accessory muscles to breathe. What is the nurse's priority intervention?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In a 7-year-old child with an acute asthma exacerbation showing signs of wheezing and increased work of breathing, the priority intervention for the nurse is to administer a nebulized bronchodilator immediately. Bronchodilators help dilate the airways, relieve bronchospasm, and improve breathing, which is crucial in managing an acute asthma attack and preventing further respiratory distress.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Administering antiepileptic medication as prescribed is the priority intervention in a child with a history of epilepsy who experienced a prolonged seizure. This action is crucial to stop the seizure and prevent further complications associated with prolonged seizure activity.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In a child with type 1 diabetes presenting with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and a high blood glucose level, the priority is to administer IV fluids to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which are crucial in managing diabetic ketoacidosis. Administering insulin without addressing fluid deficits can lead to further complications. Monitoring urine output and checking for ketones are important steps but providing IV fluids takes precedence in the initial management of this child's condition.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The appropriate response for the caregiver is to address the parents' concerns by suggesting scheduling a hearing test and potentially referring the child to a speech therapist if necessary. This proactive approach can help evaluate and support the child's hearing and speech development effectively.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: In this scenario, the infant presenting with vomiting, lethargy, and projectile vomiting indicates a potential serious condition. Crying without tears is a sign of dehydration, a critical condition that can lead to life-threatening complications in infants. Dehydration can rapidly worsen an infant's condition, making prompt intervention crucial to prevent further complications.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct instruction for the nurse to provide to the parents is to wash the child's bed linens and clothing in hot soapy water. This is essential to eliminate head lice as they can survive on bedding and clothing. It is also important to wash any other items that the child may have used or come into contact with, such as brushes and combs, to prevent reinfestation. Rewashing the child's hair following an isolation period is not necessary, and taking the child to a hair salon for a shampoo and shorter haircut is not a recommended treatment for head lice.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In this scenario, the child is hyperventilating, which leads to excessive loss of carbon dioxide. This loss of carbon dioxide causes respiratory alkalosis due to a decrease in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood. Therefore, the correct answer is respiratory alkalosis.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: When an individual turns 18, they are legally considered an adult, and privacy laws mandate that their consent is required before sharing their medical information with others. It is important to respect the adolescent's autonomy and privacy rights by explaining to the mother that the information cannot be disclosed without the 18-year-old's permission.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Co-sleeping, or keeping the baby in the parents' bed, increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It is crucial for parents to place the baby in a separate crib or bassinet to ensure a safe sleep environment and reduce the risk of SIDS.