Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 84%
Simulated
Passage / Scenario
A nurse is caring for an 8-year-old child who has acute rheumatic fever.Which of the following assessments is the nurse's priority immediately after admission?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The correct answer is A: Auscultating the rate and characteristics of the child's heart sounds. This is the priority assessment as it helps to identify any immediate life-threatening issues, such as cardiac abnormalities. Listening to heart sounds can provide crucial information about the child's cardiac function, allowing the nurse to intervene promptly if needed.
Choice B is incorrect because assessing joint pain severity may be important but is not as immediate as assessing cardiac function. Choice C is incorrect as an erythematous rash, while important, does not take precedence over assessing cardiac status. Choice D is incorrect as addressing parental anxiety, though important, is not the priority immediately after admission.
Choice B is incorrect because assessing joint pain severity may be important but is not as immediate as assessing cardiac function. Choice C is incorrect as an erythematous rash, while important, does not take precedence over assessing cardiac status. Choice D is incorrect as addressing parental anxiety, though important, is not the priority immediately after admission.