The pediatric unit is extremely busy when the admission office notified the charge nurse that a child who has acute lymphocytic leukemia ALL needs to be admitted to the unit. The parents brought prescriptions from the healthcare provider for their child to have a chest x ray and blood count on admission. What action should the nurse take?

A-   Have hospital transportation take the child to the central laboratory for blood work before admission

B-   Ask the radiology department to complete the chest x ray before admitting the child to the unit

C-   Ask the family to wait in the visiting area until a nurse can assess them with the admission process

D-   Bring the child to the unit and place the child in a private room

 

A. Take bloodwork first.

Step-by-step explanation

Ideally, the environment of the child to which he will be admitted in should be prepared well. Some hospitals also would have pre-admission requirements such as blood works and chest x-rays before admitting their patients. Since the nurses station is busy, it is more appropriate to ask the attendants first to take the child or transport the child to the laboratory to have his blood work taken. It gives you more time to process your remaining work and prepare the child's room to where he will be admitted with the proper and appropriate equipment. It is also important to note that this patient was not described to be critically ill and in need of urgent admission, thus, taking the required labs would be more appropriate and efficient. Chest radiography may also follow. Of course, such decisions should be explained well the folks/caregivers of the pediatric patient. Explain well that these are all parts of the admission process.