Question

A nurse is checking the vital signs of a 3-year-old child during a well-child visit. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

A. Temperature 37.2 C (99.0 F)
B. Heart rate 106/min
C. Respirations 35/min
D. Blood pressure 88/54 mm Hg

Answer 1

The finding that the nurse should report to the provider is option C, respirations at 35/min, which is higher than the normal range for a 3-year-old child.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question concerns identifying which vital sign of a 3-year-old child should be reported to a healthcare provider. Given the reference ranges for normal vital signs, we can determine what may be of concern for a child. Here are the considerations for each option:

• A temperature of 37.2 C (99.0 F) is slightly above normal but may not be cause for immediate concern unless the child has other symptoms.
• A heart rate of 106/min is within the expected range for a 3-year-old child, as children have higher heart rates than adults.
• Respirations at 35/min is higher than the normal range for a child of this age and should be reported to the provider.
• A blood pressure of 88/54 mm Hg is within the normal range for a child.