A teen is seen at the clinic for problems with a body piercing ...

[Collmarie]

A teen is seen at the clinic for problems with a body piercing that was done several weeks ago. When assessing the site, which is swollen, red, and painful, the nurse should:
 
  a. Tell the teen that body piercing is wrong
  b. Ask the teen why he or she chose to have the piercing
  c. Tell the teen that he or she should have gone to a professional
  d. Ask the teen where the piercing was done

Question 2

A mother has brought her 18-month-old boy into the pediatric clinic because of irritability, high fever, and has been tugging at his ear for the last 24 hours. The nurse would anticipate which of the following orders?
 
  1. Place the child NPO and attempt to get a head CT.
   2. Administering antibiotics for otitis media and acetaminophen for pain and fever control.
   3. No orders, as this is a common childhood ailment that requires no interventions.
   4. Admitting the child to the hospital to control the high fever.

[jessicaduplan]

Answer to Question 1

D
Health professionals should not pass judgment on teens that choose to have body piercing. The most helpful response is to ask for additional information about where the piercing was done. If a friend or nonprofessional did the piercing, the teen may have a serious infection.

Answer to Question 2

2
Feedback
1. A child with a high fever is normally irritable and this would not be an indication for a head CT as a first priority.
2. The tugging at the ear can be an indication of a child having otitis media. Acetaminophen can help control the ear pain and fever in order to help decrease irritability.
3. Due to the high fever and irritability, the child is demonstrating pain. An intervention is needed.
4. Not enough information is provided to indicate the fever level. Normally this can be controlled at home with acetaminophen.