The nurse is obtaining a health history on a toddler who was recently diagnosed with osteomyelitis of a leg. What would priority assessment questions include?
1. "When did you notice the had an elevated temperature?"
2. "Does your child have any type of food allergies?"
3. "Is there a family history of cardiac disorders?"
4. "Has your toddler had a recent infection, such as an earache?"
5. "Have there been any recent injuries to the affected leg?"
6. "Has the child recently taken and completed any antibiotics?"
Answers: 1, 4, 5, 6
Osteomyelitis is caused by bacteria and frequently is found after an internal infection, such as an ear infection. The onset of an elevated temperature may indicate the beginning of an infection. Leg injury may have broken the skin and allowed deep tissue penetration that could have progressed to osteomyelitis. Prescription (and compliance) with recent antibiotics is important, because decreased compliance could result in progression of an infection. The other questions would be asked as part of the health history but are not the most relevant given the diagnosis of osteomyelitis of a leg.
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