Question

A nurse is caring for a child with appendicitis rating pain as 7/10. What action should the nurse take?

A) Instill a 500ml tap water enema
B) Give morphine 0.05mg/kg IV
C) Administer polyethylene glycol 1g/kg PO
D) Apply a heating pad to the child's abdomen

Answer 1

For a child with appendicitis rating pain as 7/10, the nurse should administer morphine 0.05mg/kg IV to manage pain and prepare for surgery, avoiding actions that could worsen the condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct action that a nurse should take for a child with appendicitis rating pain as 7/10 is B) Give morphine 0.05mg/kg IV. Appendicitis is a medical emergency and the priority is to manage the patient's pain and prepare for likely surgery. A tap water enema or administering polyethylene glycol can exacerbate the condition and potentially lead to a rupture of the appendix, while applying a heating pad to the abdomen is not advised as it may increase the risk of rupture as well. Morphine is an opioid analgesic which can effectively manage severe pain associated with appendicitis. It is important for the nurse to monitor the patient's vital signs, pain intensity, and watch for any signs of deterioration after administering opioids.