Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

For a child with a platelet count of 20,000/mm3, what is the appropriate nursing intervention?

1. Encourage physical activity

2. Administer blood transfusions

3. Encourage quiet play

4. Monitor vital signs closely

The correct answer is: Encourage quiet play

A child with a platelet count of 20,000/mm³ is considered to have thrombocytopenia, which significantly increases the risk of bleeding. Therefore, the appropriate nursing intervention focuses on minimizing the risk of injury and promoting safety. Encouraging quiet play is a crucial strategy in this scenario because it reduces the likelihood of falls and trauma that could lead to bleeding, which is particularly important when platelet counts are low. While monitoring vital signs closely can provide valuable information about the child’s condition, it does not directly address the immediate concern of preventing bleeding. Administering blood transfusions is typically reserved for specific situations, such as severe bleeding or a much lower platelet count, and is not a standard intervention solely based on a platelet count of 20,000/mm³ without clinical indications. Similarly, encouraging physical activity is unsafe as it may lead to injury due to the child's increased risk of bleeding.