Question

A child with a diagnosis of pertussis (whooping cough) is being admitted to the pediatric unit. As soon as the child arrives in the unit, the nurse would first:

a) Administer a dose of antibiotics.

b) Place the child in isolation.

c) Auscultate lung sounds.

d) Obtain a detailed health history.

Answer 1

The first nursing action for a child with pertussis upon arriving at the pediatric unit should be to place the child in isolation to prevent the spread of infection. Subsequent steps would include auscultating lung sounds, administering antibiotics, and obtaining a detailed health history.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a child with a diagnosis of pertussis (whooping cough) arrives on the pediatric unit, the immediate nursing action should be to place the child in isolation. This is crucial due to the highly communicable nature of pertussis, which is spread via droplet transmission. After establishing isolation procedures to protect others and reduce transmission, subsequent actions would include auscultating lung sounds, administering a dose of antibiotics, and obtaining a detailed health history.

Antibiotic therapy is most effective at the earliest stages of pertussis but can still help reduce transmission rates when given later. Moreover, it is essential to assess the child's lung sounds due to the mucus accumulation and severe coughing that characterizes the disease. A detailed health history would also be gathered to inform the child's care planning and management.