The pediatric nurse is assessing a child who complains of a stomach ache. This is the child's fourth visit to the clinic for the same problem, and there has not been a diagnosis yet. What action by the nurse is best?
A.
Ask about child's functioning and development.
B.
Instruct the mother not to keep the child home from school.
C.
Obtain a thorough family history from the mother.
D.
Perform an abdominal exam and document findings.
ANS: A
Children with anxiety often present with somatic complaints that do not have a physical cause. The nurse should inquire about the symptoms characteristic of all anxiety disorders, including impaired function or development related to anxiety. The nurse should not just instruct the mother to send the child to school, as this is not a helpful strategy in alleviating the problem. A thorough history is important, but most likely would have already been done in prior visits. Performing and documenting an abdominal exam are both important, but again will not provide specific assistance in this situation.
You might also like to view...
Peripheral arterial disease is more likely to occur in the
A) upper arms. B) lower arms and hands. C) thighs. D) calves and feet.
The patient is in hypovolemic shock, with mean arterial pressures below 90 mm Hg and a very low urine output. An IV drip of norepinephrine is prescribed to keep blood pressure above 90 mm Hg. No other therapy is initiated
What effect on kidney function does the nurse expect? A) Improvement in renal perfusion secondary to improved blood pressure B) Reduction in urine output secondary to constriction of renal arteries C) Augmentation of water reabsorption from distal tubular fluid D) Decrease in urine sodium concentration to critically low levels
The nurse monitors a patient receiving digoxin closely for toxicity when which other medication is prescribed?
a. Potassium supplements b. Furosemide (Lasix) c. Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) d. Antibiotics
What physiologic response causes a vasovagal reaction?
A. Vasodilation and an increase in blood pressure B. Vasodilation and a decrease in blood pressure C. Vasoconstriction and a decrease in blood pressure D. Vasoconstriction and an increase in heart rate