Final answer:
After establishing an airway and stabilizing respirations, the nurse should next check for capillary refill time in an 8-year-old child showing indications of shock.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse assessing an 8-year-old child showing early indications of shock has a crucial role in stabilizing the child after ensuring an open airway and stable respirations. The next step in managing shock, especially when considering potential hypovolemic causes like hemorrhage, severe vomiting, or diarrhea, is to check for a capillary refill time. This measure helps in evaluating the blood circulation and whether the peripheral blood flow is restricted, indicating a state of shock. While assessing blood glucose levels and obtaining a urine sample are parts of comprehensive patient diagnostics, they are not immediate priorities following respiratory stabilization in shock management. Administering pain medication, while it may be necessary later, is not a critical next step without first assessing the child's circulatory status.