A nurse is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A.
An adolescent who has a BP of 132/82 mm Hg
B.
A 3-month-old infant who has a respiratory rate of 30/min
C.
An 18-month-old toddler who has a heart rate of 68/min
D.
A school-age child who has a rectal body temperature of 37.3° C (99.1° F)
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is C: An 18-month-old toddler who has a heart rate of 68/min.
Explanation:
In pediatric care, normal vital signs vary significantly by age group. It is crucial to be aware of these variations to correctly assess and identify potential issues in young patients.
- Adolescent Blood Pressure (BP) – 132/82 mm Hg:
- For adolescents, normal BP ranges can be slightly higher due to developmental changes. A BP of 132/82 mm Hg in an adolescent might be on the higher end but is not necessarily alarming unless associated with other symptoms or trends. The normal range for adolescents is typically between 110/65 mm Hg and 131/83 mm Hg. This reading could be elevated but doesn’t necessarily indicate an urgent issue unless consistently high or accompanied by other signs.
- 3-Month-Old Infant Respiratory Rate – 30/min:
- For infants, the normal respiratory rate is generally between 30 and 60 breaths per minute. A rate of 30 breaths per minute falls within this normal range. This finding does not indicate an immediate problem as long as the infant is not displaying signs of distress or other concerning symptoms.
- 18-Month-Old Toddler Heart Rate – 68/min:
- The normal heart rate for toddlers (1-3 years old) ranges from 80 to 130 beats per minute. A heart rate of 68 beats per minute is significantly lower than the expected range for this age group. Bradycardia (a slow heart rate) in toddlers can be concerning and may indicate underlying issues such as a cardiac condition or an electrolyte imbalance. Immediate assessment and intervention are required to determine the cause and provide appropriate treatment.
- School-Age Child Rectal Temperature – 37.3° C (99.1° F):
- The normal rectal temperature for children is around 36.6 to 38.0° C (97.9 to 100.4° F). A temperature of 37.3° C (99.1° F) is within this normal range and does not usually indicate a fever or immediate concern.
Therefore, among the options provided, the most critical finding that should be reported to the provider is the toddler’s heart rate of 68/min, as it is significantly below the normal range for their age and may require further investigation.