Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

Which of the following conditions is most appropriately paired with a priority assessment intervention in pediatrics?

1. Anxiety in a school-age child

2. Severe abdominal pain in an adolescent with appendicitis

3. Acute glomerulonephritis in a toddler

4. Chronic pain in a child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

The correct answer is: Severe abdominal pain in an adolescent with appendicitis

When considering the most appropriate pairing of a condition with a priority assessment intervention in pediatrics, the focus should be on the potential urgency and seriousness of the situation. Severe abdominal pain indicative of appendicitis, particularly in an adolescent, is a critical condition requiring immediate and thorough assessment. This condition often necessitates prompt evaluation to determine the severity and potential complications, such as perforation, which can lead to serious health risks if not addressed quickly. The assessment would likely include checking for rebound tenderness, guarding, and other signs of peritoneal irritation that indicate the need for urgent surgical intervention. In contrast, while anxiety, acute glomerulonephritis, and chronic pain also require assessment and intervention, these conditions do not possess the same level of immediate urgency as severe abdominal pain related to appendicitis. Anxiety can be managed with different supportive approaches, glomerulonephritis requires monitoring and possibly medical management but often does not call for immediate drastic interventions, and chronic pain, while significant, is typically addressed over time with a comprehensive pain management plan. Therefore, the urgency of assessing severe abdominal pain makes it the priority intervention in this scenario.