Question

Mrs. Anders has brought 18-month-old Jacob to the clinic because he is irritable, is running a low-grade fever and has a cough. In the process of assessing Jacob, you note that he seems lethargic and his skin is very pale. You obtain 24-hour diet history and suspect the child does not have adequate iron intake. A complete blood count (CBC) and serum ferritin confirms a diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia (IDA)

1. What do you think Mrs. Anders is most concerned about?

2. What is the nurse’s role when a child enters the healthcare system with an acute illness?

3. What opportunities are present when a child is brought to an ambulatory care setting because of an acute illness?

Answer 1

1.Parents are mostly worried about child condition.They may not ready to answer the questions,because anxious about child.

2.When child enters the emergency room with acute illness focused assessment is needed.Parents are mostly worried in this situation.Reassure them and ask for the history of the child.

• Must collect detailed diet history of the child,including pattern of food intake and contents.
• Obtain history of physical activity.
• Arrange for a physical examination.
• Observe for pallor,tirdness,tachy ardia and murmer.
• Ask for signs of pica.

3.For the management of child with iron deficiency anemia oral iron therapy is needed.But oral administration will not get a faster result.So oral therapy must be continued.