Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention for a child with a high fever suspected to have an ear infection?

The priority nursing intervention for a child with a high fever suspected to have an ear infection is administering antipyretics. This action is crucial as it directly addresses the child's discomfort and helps to reduce the fever. High fevers can lead to discomfort, irritability, and potential complications such as febrile seizures, especially in young children. By lowering the fever with antipyretics, the child's comfort level improves, which can facilitate better hydration and overall recovery.

While encouraging hydration is important to prevent dehydration, especially when the child has a fever, it comes after addressing immediate comfort through fever reduction. Monitoring temperature closely is essential for ongoing assessment but does not provide active relief from the fever. Documenting the fever history is important for medical records but does not have an immediate impact on the child's current state. Therefore, administering antipyretics is prioritized to manage the symptoms effectively and provide relief to the child.