A 10-year-old girl is brought to the emergency department by her parents because of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The nurse suspects acute appendicitis. It would be most important to obtain which of the following information?

Explanation

•When a child suspected of having an acute appendicitis is admitted, it is important to keep the child NPO and to determine when the child last ate. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the surgery will be performed without delay as an emergency measure.

•Treatment for appendicitis is surgical removal of the appendix by laparoscopy before it ruptures.

•Symptoms of appendicitis includes nausea, vomiting, RLQ and periumbilical pain, and anorexia. Vomiting usually follows the onset of pain. Vomiting that precedes pain is suggestive of an intestinal obstruction.

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