NCLEX: An 8-year-old child in the pediatric unit is being evaluated for febrile illness in a toddler. Assessment data in…

Pediatric nursing Health Promotion and Maintenance Physiological Adaptation

Case Study

An 8-year-old child in the pediatric unit is being evaluated for febrile illness in a toddler. Assessment data include parents report decreased wet diapers and lethargy over 24 hours. Which nursing action is the priority to keep the client safe?

Question

A. Leave the client alone to promote independence while finishing charting.
B. Apply the first intervention in the policy manual without a current assessment.
C. Document the finding and recheck at the end of the shift without further assessment.
D. Stay with the client, remove immediate hazards, reassess, and escalate per facility safety protocol.

Rationale

Correct answer: D. Stay with the client, remove immediate hazards, reassess, and escalate per facility safety protocol.

Rationale: Client safety requires direct assessment, hazard reduction, and timely escalation rather than assumptions, abandonment, or policy-only actions.

Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.

Level: Foundational

Difficulty: Easy

Subtopic: Pediatric vital signs