Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

What is an appropriate intervention for a child with superficial partial-thickness burns during nutritional planning?

1. Serve meals at the standard times

2. Perform dressing changes at least 1 hr before or after meals

3. Encourage increased fluid intake only

4. Advance diet quickly to solids

The correct answer is: Perform dressing changes at least 1 hr before or after meals

The appropriate intervention for a child with superficial partial-thickness burns during nutritional planning involves performing dressing changes at least 1 hour before or after meals. This timing is crucial because the process of changing dressings can be painful and uncomfortable for the child. Conducting these procedures close to mealtime could potentially affect the child’s appetite or willingness to eat, as well as cause distress or discomfort. Managing nutrition in a child with burns is important due to the increased metabolic demands and the need for adequate caloric intake for healing. It is essential to ensure that the child is in a comfortable state during meals to promote proper nutrition and recovery. While serving meals at standard times is a routine practice, it may not account for the child’s condition or specific needs related to their burns. Similarly, while encouraging increased fluid intake is often necessary, it should not be the only focus without considering the child’s overall nutritional needs. Advancing the diet quickly to solids may not be suitable for all children, as their tolerance and recovery stage vary. Each approach should be tailored to the individual child, taking into account their specific circumstances and comfort.