unwell child assessment

Question 1

common illnesses

Answer 1

1. meningococcal- headaches, fatigue, vomiting, rapid breathing, joint and muscle pain

Question 2

considerations/ interventions

Answer 2

collaborative interventions
1. suctioning
2. oxygen
3. pharmacological therapy such as;
- humidification
- expectorant
- bronchodilators
- antibiotics
- corticosteroids
- metered-dosed inhalers

independent interventions
1. upright position
2. education through game
3. support around anxiety
4. parent/ child education

Question 3

high presentation of illneses in hospital and primary health

Answer 3

in community;
- respiratory illnesses
- URTI- upper respiratory
- LRTI- lower respiratory
- wheeze related illness
- throat infections
- otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear)

hospital;
- respiratory
- dental
- GI
- nutrition deficiency and anaemia
- cardiovascular
- diabetes
- epilepsy
- unintentional injuries
- intentional injuries

Question 4

assessments- clinical reasoning cycle

Answer 4

1. interview
2. physical examination
   - vital signs/ pain
   - observation of symptoms
   - acute respiratory assessment - wheezing, pallor
   - weight- a lot of kids are overweight= increased BP
3. lab tests
   - blood gas analysis- 02 in blood
   - nasopharyngeal culture
   - respiratory syncytial virus nasal washing- RSV
   - sputum analysis
4. diagnosis procedures
   - chest x ray
   - peak flow readings

before you begin the assessment;
- ensure child and family feel comfortable and secure
- work in partnership with the family to gain their trust in working with their child
- perform the least distressing task first
- the environment should be warm, inviting and child friendly
- language needs to be age appropriate and culturally considerate

Question 5

nursing considerations

Answer 5

• activity intolerance- not enough oxygen for them to go about their daily lives
• fatigue- related to impaired gas exchange
• fear/ anxiety- related to the inability to breathe
• impaired social interaction- shy away from other children
• deficient knowledge- the continued treatment

how to reduce fear in child and family
- reassurance, gain trust with the child and family

Question 6

recognising distress

Answer 6

• wheezing
• hyperventilation
• anxiety and fear
• tripod position
• pursed lips
• pale

Question 7

gastroenteritis- inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract from any cause

Answer 7

• feel sick
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhoea

caused by
- worms
- food poisoning

nursing considerations;
- deficient in fluid volume
- mood
- parent education on diet requirements and NG feeding
- additional support

nursing assessments;
- physical examination- observation of skin tugor and condition
- stool characteristics
- abdominal pain
- infection

nursing interventions;
- monitor viral signs
- oral rehydration therapy
- NG feeding
- IV rehydration therapy if cant do oral
- weight- how much did they lose
- medications- antiemetics and antibiotics