Final answer:
The nurse should next obtain a blood pressure measurement for an 8-year-old child showing signs of shock, as it guides critical interventions such as IV fluid resuscitation.
Step-by-step explanation:
After establishing an airway and stabilizing a child's respirations, the next action a nurse should take in the case of an 8-year-old child showing early signs of shock is B. Obtain a blood pressure measurement. Measuring blood pressure is vital as it provides information about cardiac output and peripheral resistance, which are key indicators of shock, especially hypovolemic shock. Once blood pressure is assessed, it may guide subsequent interventions such as C. Initiate IV fluid resuscitation if necessary, which is the standard treatment for patients with hypovolemic shock due to fluid losses from hemorrhage, severe vomiting, diarrhea, burns, or conditions like diabetes insipidus or ketoacidosis.
While administering pain medication and a full head-to-toe physical examination are important, they are not as immediately critical as assessing blood pressure and starting fluid resuscitation when indicated to stabilize the child's condition. The accurate measurement of blood pressure uses a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope, ensuring the cuff is inflated above the patient's systolic pressure and then gradually deflated to listen for Korotkoff sounds which indicate systolic and diastolic pressures.