Which piece of equipment is crucial for a nurse caring for a toddler who ingested drain cleaner?

When managing a toddler who has ingested drain cleaner, the priority is to secure the airway due to the potential for respiratory compromise from caustic substances. The intubation tray is essential in this scenario, as it contains the necessary equipment to perform endotracheal intubation if the child shows signs of airway obstruction or respiratory distress. Drain cleaner is highly corrosive and can cause inflammation and swelling of the airway, making it imperative to be prepared for potential emergency airway management.

While other pieces of equipment may be relevant in different contexts, the immediate concern in this situation revolves around ensuring the child's airway is safe. An EKG machine may help monitor the heart but does not directly address the airway management needed post-ingestion of a caustic substance. A dialysis machine is not typically used in cases of corrosive ingestion because the harm is localized and not a matter of systemic clearance via the kidneys. A gastric lavage tube, although it might seem appropriate for removing substances from the stomach, is not recommended for caustic ingestions due to the risk of perforating the esophagus or further damaging the digestive tract. Thus, the intubation tray is the most critical equipment to have ready for this potentially life-threatening situation.