A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a toddler. Exhibits Complete the following sentence by using the list of options. The nurse should first
Explanation & Rationale
The nurse should first: b. Keep the child NPO. Rationale: In this scenario, the child may have ingested a battery, which can cause serious complications such as chemical burns if it gets stuck in the esophagus. Keeping the child NPO (nothing by mouth) helps prevent further movement of the battery and reduces the risk of complications. Other responses: a. Obtain informed consent: While obtaining informed consent may be necessary for certain diagnostic or treatment procedures, the immediate priority is to ensure the child's safety and prevent complications from the suspected battery ingestion. c. Teach the child's parents the importance of inspecting the child's play area: While this is an important aspect of preventing accidents, it is not the immediate priority when the child is at risk of battery ingestion. Ensuring the child's safety and preventing further harm take precedence.