For a child with a high fever and lethargy, what nursing prescription should be prioritized?

When a child presents with high fever and lethargy, prioritizing the collection of blood cultures is essential as it helps in identifying any underlying infection that may be causing these symptoms. Blood cultures are crucial in guiding appropriate antibiotic therapy and ensuring that the child receives the correct treatment as quickly as possible. In pediatric patients, particularly those who are lethargic, the potential for serious infections such as sepsis must be considered.

Obtaining blood cultures allows healthcare providers to detect pathogens, enabling tailored therapy based on the specific organism identified. The timing of antibiotic administration following blood culture collection is also significant because it minimizes the risk of antibiotic interference with culture results. Therefore, obtaining blood cultures aligns with best practices in managing febrile children, ensuring early diagnosis and intervention that can significantly improve outcomes.

While other choices, such as administering antibiotics, starting IV fluids, and monitoring vital signs, are important components of care, they are secondary to obtaining blood cultures in this scenario. Administering antibiotics too early can mask the causative organism, while proper hydration and monitoring are crucial but should follow the initial assessment and diagnostic step of identifying the infection source.