On admission, a child with leukemia has widespread purpura and a platelet count of 19,000/mm3. What is the priority nursing intervention?

A. Assessing neurological status: A critically low platelet count (<20,000/mm&sup3;) puts the child at risk for intracranial hemorrhage. Assessing for changes in mental status, pupil reaction, or headache is the priority. B. Monitoring vital signs during platelet transfusions: Important, but not the first or priority intervention. C. Providing family education about how to prevent bleeding: Education is important, but not priority in a critical situation. D. Inserting an intravenous line: IV access is useful but is not the first action to prevent life-threatening complications like bleeding into the brain.