A 10-year-old child is admitted to the emergency department after "huffing" gasoline. The health care provider suspects mild brain damage

Question

Which clinical manifestations will the nurse teach the parents to observe for after they take the child home?
1. Irregular pulse, fainting, and anger
2. Slurred speech, memory loss, and personality changes
3. Nausea, vomiting, and dizziness
4. Depression, cold extremities, and dyspnea

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Irregular pulse, fainting, and anger are not signs of brain damage.
Rationale 2: Children can die after a single episode of "huffing" a volatile chemical, or they might suffer brain damage. Brain damage can manifest as slurred or slow speech, memory loss, or personality changes.
Rationale 3: Nausea, vomiting, and dizziness are not signs of brain damage.
Rationale 4: Depression, cold extremities, and dyspnea are not signs of brain damage.
Global Rationale: Children can die after a single episode of "huffing" a volatile chemical, or they might suffer brain damage. Brain damage can manifest as slurred or slow speech, memory loss, or personality changes. Irregular pulse, fainting, and anger are not signs of brain damage. Nausea, vomiting, and dizziness are not signs of brain damage. Depression, cold extremities, and dyspnea are not signs of brain damage.