Question

A nurse in an emergency department is assessing a toddler who has Kawasaki disease. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? Select all that apply.

A) Strawberry tongue
B) Erythematous rash on the palms and soles
C) High-grade fever lasting more than 5 days
D) Hypertension
E) Joint pain and swelling

Answer 1

A nurse should expect to see a strawberry tongue, erythematous rash on the palms and soles, and a high-grade fever lasting over 5 days in a toddler with Kawasaki disease. The disease is characterized by persistent fever and specific inflammatory symptoms but does not commonly present with hypertension.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse assessing a toddler with Kawasaki disease should expect to find certain clinical signs. These include A) Strawberry tongue, B) Erythematous rash on the palms and soles, and C) High-grade fever lasting more than 5 days. Kawasaki disease is an acute febrile illness of unknown etiology that primarily affects children under the age of 5.

The hallmark features of the disease include persistent fever, conjunctivitis, strawberry tongue, swollen hands and feet, and a rash that is often erythematous and may be particularly noticeable on the palms and soles. Other symptoms can include joint pain and swelling, which might be similar to other childhood illnesses, but the combination of fever and these specific symptoms often points to Kawasaki disease. Hypertension is not a classic feature of Kawasaki disease and would be a less typical finding.