A child has been admitted for suspected bacterial endocarditis. ...

[mwit1967]

A child has been admitted for suspected bacterial endocarditis. What action takes priority?
 
  A.
  Administering antibiotics
  B.
  Education on valve replacement
  C.
  Giving an antipyretic
  D.
  Obtaining blood cultures

Question 2

The parents of a child born with severe hypoplastic left heart syndrome ask the nurse about treatment options. Which option is inconsistent with the nurse's knowledge about this condition?
 
  A.
  Palliative or end-of-life care is one possibility.
  B.
  She can be listed for a cardiac transplant.
  C.
  Surgical correction involves several procedures.
  D.
  We can give a series of dopamine (Intropin) infusions.

[aburgess]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
The priority action is to obtain blood cultures, either drawn by the nurse or laboratory. Antibiotics are not started until these are collected. If the child is febrile, an antipyretic is appropriate, but it is not the priority. Education on valve replacement is not warranted until later in the course of the disease if it is needed.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Although dopamine is a positive inotrope, serial infusions are not used for this condition. The other statements relay possible treatment decision points for this child.