The nurse has received report on four children. Which child should the nurse assess first?
a. A school-age child in a coma with stable vital signs
b. A preschool child with a head injury and decreasing level of consciousness
c. An adolescent admitted after a motor vehicle accident is oriented to person and place
d. A toddler in a persistent vegetative state with a low-grade fever
ANS: B
The nurse should assess the child with a head injury and decreasing level of consciousness first (LOC). Assessment of LOC remains the earliest indicator of improvement or deterioration in neurologic status. The next child the nurse should assess is a toddler in a persistent vegetative state with a low-grade fever. The school-age child in a coma with stable vital signs and the adolescent admitted to the hospital who is oriented to his surroundings would be of least worry to the nurse.
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