Question

A nurse is assessing an 8-year-old child who has early indications of shock. After establishing an airway and stabilizing the child's respirations, which of the following actions should the nurse take next

a.Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
b.Measure weight and height.
c.Initiate IV access.
d.Maintain ECG monitoring.

Answer 1

After stabilizing the child's respiratory function, the nurse should prioritize initiating IV access to address the early indications of shock.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing an 8-year-old child with early indications of shock, the nurse should prioritize actions that address the primary needs of the child. After establishing an airway and stabilizing respirations, the next action the nurse should take is to initiate IV access.

Initiating IV access will allow the nurse to administer fluids and medications to restore the child's volume and blood pressure, which are crucial in treating shock. Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter, measuring weight and height, and maintaining ECG monitoring may be important but are not the immediate priority when addressing shock.