A child, age 7 years, has a fever associated with a viral ...

[fox]

A child, age 7 years, has a fever associated with a viral illness. She is being cared for at home. What is the principal reason for treating fever in this child?
 
  a. Relief of discomfort
  b. Reassurance that illness is temporary
  c. Prevention of secondary bacterial infection
  d. Avoidance of life-threatening complications

Question 2

A 6-year-old boy is hospitalized for intravenous antibiotic therapy. He eats very little on his regular diet trays. He tells the nurse that all he wants to eat is pizza, tacos, and ice cream. What nursing action is the most appropriate?
 
  a. Request these favorite foods for him.
  b. Identify healthier food choices that he likes.
  c. Explain that he needs fruits and vegetables.
  d. Reward him with ice cream at the end of every meal that he eats.

[taylorsonier]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The principal reason for treating fever is the relief of discomfort. Relief measures include pharmacologic and environmental intervention. The most effective is the use of pharmacologic agents to lower the set point. Although the nurse can reassure the child that the illness is temporary, the child is often uncomfortable and irritable. Intervention helps the child and family minimize the discomfort. Most fevers result from viral, not bacterial, infections. Few life-threatening events are associated with fever. The use of antipyretics does not seem to reduce the incidence of febrile seizures.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Loss of appetite is a symptom common to most childhood illnesses. To encourage adequate nutrition, the nurse should request favorite foods for the child. The foods he likes provide nutrition and can be supplemented with additional fruits and vegetables. Ice cream and other desserts should not be used as rewards or punishment.

[fox]

Excellent

[Bigfoot1984]

TYSM