Answer:
If a 12-year-old child scheduled for surgery to repair a fractured tibia is found to be febrile (having a fever) one hour before surgery, the best action for the nurse to take would be to:
1. **Notify the surgical team:** The nurse should immediately inform the surgical team, including the surgeon and anesthesiologist, about the child's fever. This is crucial because surgery under anesthesia is generally not recommended for individuals with an active infection or fever.
2. **Assess the cause:** The nurse should also assess the possible cause of the fever. It could be due to an underlying infection or another medical condition that needs to be addressed before proceeding with surgery.
3. **Administer prescribed medications:** If the child has been prescribed antipyretic medications (fever-reducing medications) by the healthcare provider, these may be administered as ordered to help reduce the fever.
4. **Ensure hydration:** It's important to ensure that the child is adequately hydrated, especially if the fever is associated with an illness. Dehydration can worsen the child's condition.
5. **Document findings:** The nurse should document all assessments, actions taken, and communications with the healthcare team in the patient's medical record.
Ultimately, the decision to proceed with surgery will depend on the assessment of the surgical team and the underlying cause of the fever. Surgery is generally safer when the patient is in the best possible health condition, so addressing the fever and its underlying cause is a priority.