An appropriate nursing intervention when caring for an unconscious child should be to:

• A. Monitor fluid intake and output carefully to avoid fluid overload and cerebral edema.
• B. Change the child's position infrequently to minimize the chance of increased intracranial pressure.
• C. Avoid using narcotics or sedatives to provide comfort and pain relief.
• D. Give tepid sponge baths to reduce fever because antipyretics are contraindicated.

Answer: (A)

In unconscious pediatric care, preventing and controlling cerebral edema is a central priority. The brain’s ability to regulate fluids can be impaired after injury or illness, so keeping fluid balance steady helps protect against increased intracranial pressure and further brain swelling.

The best nursing intervention is to monitor fluid intake and output closely to avoid fluid overload. Tracking I&O allows you to detect shifts toward hypervolemia early, adjust IV fluids appropriately (often favoring isotonic solutions and avoiding hypotonic fluids), and maintain a stable intravascular volume. This careful balance helps preserve cerebral perfusion without tipping the scales toward edema.

This focus on fluid status fits because excessive fluids can worsen edema and raise intracranial pressure, directly impacting recovery. Other aspects matter too—repositioning should promote comfort, airway maintenance, and skin integrity rather than being done infrequently; analgesia or sedation may be necessary for comfort and to prevent metabolic stress, used judiciously; fever should be treated appropriately with antipyretics, as tepid baths are not the preferred method and are not required to manage fever.