Which nursing action is the priority for a child with severe burns scheduled for therapeutic escharotomy?

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In the context of a child with severe burns who is scheduled for a therapeutic escharotomy, monitoring radial pulses is the priority nursing action. This is crucial because severe burns can lead to significant swelling and complications such as compartment syndrome, which can impair circulation to the extremities. By monitoring radial pulses, the nurse can assess the adequacy of blood flow and detect any signs of vascular compromise early on.

When escharotomy is performed, it is intended to relieve pressure by incising the eschar, which can help restore circulation and alleviate pain. Ensuring that blood flow is adequate before and after the procedure is critical to the child's overall outcome. This focus on monitoring pulses allows for timely interventions should circulation be compromised.

The other choices, while they may be relevant in certain contexts of burn care, do not address the immediate concern of maintaining blood flow and circulation as effectively as monitoring radial pulses does. For instance, removing blisters, while important for prevention of infection, is not a priority compared to ensuring circulation, especially in the face of potential vascular compromise. Maintaining airborne precautions is typically not a concern specific to burn patients unless there is a known airborne illness, and passive range-of-motion exercises are beneficial but should follow stabilization of circulation and swelling management. In

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