A 3-Year-Old Is Admitted to the Pediatric Unit with a Traumatic

question 11

Multiple Choice

A 3-year-old is admitted to the pediatric unit with a traumatic injury to his right forearm.His mother had been giving him aspirin at home to control his pain and fever.Approximately three weeks prior to his admission, the 3-year-old developed an upper respiratory infection.The mother asked the nurse why the doctor changed her son's medication from aspirin to acetaminophen.The nurse's best response is:

• A)"Acetaminophen is given to children for inflammation and fever when there has been a recent or current history of a viral infection due to the possibility of the development of Reye's syndrome."
• B)"It would have been important for the doctor to allow you to continue to medicate your son, since there is a strong level of trust that develops with mother and child."
• C)"Typically, aspirin is the only salicylate recommended for children of any age, regardless of prior or current infections."
• D)"I really do not know; however, I do not think you should ask the physician about treatment of this child."

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Definitions:

High Acuity Patients

Patients who require extensive and continuous medical care due to the severity of their condition or disease.

The Joint Commission

An independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations and programs in the United States, aiming to improve healthcare quality and safety.

Cost Containment

Strategies or measures aimed at controlling or reducing healthcare costs without compromising the quality of care.

Process And Outcomes

The sequence of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular end and the results obtained from these actions.