Question

A nurse is assisting in developing a plan of care for a child admitted with a diagnosis of Kawasaki disease. In developing the initial plan of care, the nurse suggests that the child should be monitored for signs of___________

Answer 1

In developing a care plan for a child with Kawasaki disease, a nurse should monitor for fever, jaundice, hypotension, and disseminated intravascular coagulation, as well as cardiac complications like coronary artery aneurysms.

Step-by-step explanation:

Kawasaki Disease Monitoring

A nurse assisting in developing a plan of care for a child admitted with a diagnosis of Kawasaki disease should monitor the child for signs of fever, jaundice, hypotension, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), all of which can lead to serious complications such as kidney failure and possibly death. Kawasaki disease initially presents with cold-like symptoms, including a high fever that typically persists for at least five days, and is followed by a macular or papular rash three to five days later. It is crucial to observe for cardiovascular complications, such as coronary artery aneurysms, which can develop in the weeks following the onset of the disease. The care plan should be comprehensive, including frequent monitoring of vital signs, examination of skin and mucous membranes for changes, and evaluating the child for any signs of heart complications.

Due to the similarity in initial symptoms, Kawasaki disease can be confused with other conditions that present with flu-like symptoms, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Hence, accurate diagnosis and monitoring are key components of the plan of care for Kawasaki disease.