An infant has been NPO for surgery for 4 hours and does not have an intravenous line. The nurse receives a call from the operating room with the information that the surgery has been postponed due to an emergency
Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?
1. Feed the infant 4 ounces of formula.
2. Reassure the parents that it will not be much longer before surgery.
3. Allow the parents to feed the infant an ounce of oral rehydration solution.
4. Call the physician to see if the infant needs to have an intravenous line started.
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: The infant who is NPO is at high risk for dehydration. The nurse does not know how much longer it will be before surgery. The nurse cannot independently make the decision to feed the infant. Feeding the infant could further postpone the surgery, should an operating room become available sooner than expected. It is best to keep the infant NPO and consult the physician to see if an intravenous line is needed.
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