A parent calls the pediatrician's office because her 1-year-old ...

[faduma]

A parent calls the pediatrician's office because her 1-year-old child has a 100 F temperature. What would be the most appropriate initial nursing response to make to the parent?
 
  a. Did you feel your child's forehead?
  b. Tell me about the child's behavior..
  c. Has anyone in your home been sick lately?
  d. There is no need for concern if the child's temperature is less than 101 F..

Question 2

Which concept is important for the nurse to know when taking a child's temperature?
 
  a. The method used should be consistent.
  b. Rectal temperatures should always be taken on infants.
  c. Oral temperatures can be taken on all children older than 5 years of age.
  d. Axillary temperatures should be taken at night.

[brittanywood]

Answer to Question 1

B
In general, the height of the fever is not an indication of the seriousness of the illness. It is more important to note changes in the child's behavior. If a child has a low-grade temperature and acts sick, he or she should be assessed further. Feeling a child's forehead can give clues related to whether the child's temperature should be measured; if it has already been measured, this would be unnecessary because it does not give accurate information about the child's body temperature. Learning of other sick persons in the home will yield relevant information for the nurse to use in advising the parent, but it is not the best initial response. Although the height of the temperature is not an indication of the seriousness of the child's illness, it is incorrect to tell a parent to be unconcerned about temperatures less than 101 F.

Answer to Question 2

A
The method that is determined most appropriate for the child should be used consistentlythe same site and device to maintain consistency and allow reliable comparison and tracking of temperatures over time. Because of the risk of rectal perforation and the intrusive nature of the procedure, rectal temperatures are measured only when no other route can be used or when it is necessary to obtain a core body temperature. Oral temperatures can be used on most children older than 6 years of age but may be inaccurate because of oral intake, oral surgery, oxygen therapy, nebulizer treatments, or crying. The method of measuring temperature should be consistent, including at night.

[faduma]

Excellent

[Dominic]

TYSM