Question

A nurse is planning care for a child with hyperthermia. What is the priority action?

A. Administer antipyretics to the child every 4-6 hours
B. Position the child on a cooling blanket and cover the child with a wet sheet
C. Place the child in a tub filled with water cooled to 80°(F) to 85°(F) D. Assess the child's temperature ever 2 hours during the cooling process

Answer 1

The priority action for a child with hyperthermia is to position the child on a cooling blanket and cover them with a wet sheet.

Step-by-step explanation:

The priority action for a nurse planning care for a child with hyperthermia is to position the child on a cooling blanket and cover the child with a wet sheet. This action helps to lower the child's body temperature and promote cooling. It is important to cool the child gradually and safely to avoid complications.

The other options are not the priority action:

1. A. Administering antipyretics every 4-6 hours may help to reduce fever, but it is not the priority action in this case as it does not directly address the hyperthermia.
2. C. Placing the child in a tub of cooled water may be too rapid of a cooling method and can be associated with complications. Gradual cooling with a cooling blanket and wet sheet is preferred.
3. D. Assessing the child's temperature every 2 hours is important, but it is not the priority action as it does not actively address the hyperthermia.