Nursing Elites

1. A 10-year-old girl who has had type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) for the past two years tells the nurse that she would like to use a pump instead of insulin injections to manage her diabetes. Which assessment of the girl is most important for the nurse to obtain?

• A. Understanding of the quality control process used to troubleshoot the pump
• B. Interpretation of fingerstick glucose levels that influence diet selections
• C. Knowledge of her glycosylated hemoglobin A1c levels for the past year
• D. Ability to perform the pump for basal insulin with mealtime boluses

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a patient transitioning to an insulin pump, understanding the quality control process to troubleshoot the pump is crucial for ensuring proper and safe management of diabetes. This knowledge enables the individual to identify and address any issues that may arise with the pump, helping maintain optimal glycemic control and prevent complications. Choices B, C, and D, although important in diabetes management, are not as critical as ensuring the correct understanding of troubleshooting the pump, which directly impacts the girl's ability to effectively use the pump for insulin delivery.

2. Which developmental behavior should the practical nurse identify as normal for a 6-month-old infant?

• A. Rolls over completely.
• B. Creeps on all fours.
• C. Pulls self to a standing position.
• D. Assumes a sitting position independently.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Rolls over completely.' By 6 months of age, infants typically achieve the milestone of rolling over completely. This ability demonstrates increasing strength and coordination. Creeping on all fours, pulling self to a standing position, and assuming a sitting position independently are skills that are usually developed at later stages of infancy. Creeping usually occurs around 9-10 months, pulling self to a standing position around 9-12 months, and assuming a sitting position independently around 8 months. Therefore, at 6 months, rolling over completely is the most expected developmental behavior.

3. A 7-year-old child with sickle cell anemia presents to the emergency department with severe pain in the arms and legs. What is the nurse’s priority action?

• A. Administer prescribed pain medication
• B. Apply warm compresses to the affected areas
• C. Encourage the child to drink fluids
• D. Monitor the child’s oxygen saturation

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a sickle cell crisis, pain management is a priority due to the severe pain experienced by the child. Administering prescribed pain medication is crucial to alleviate the pain and provide comfort to the child. Once pain is controlled, other comfort measures like applying warm compresses and encouraging fluid intake can be implemented. Monitoring oxygen saturation is important but not the priority action when dealing with severe pain in a sickle cell crisis.

4. A child with Graves' disease who is taking propranolol (Inderal) is seen in the clinic. The nurse should monitor the child for which therapeutic response?

• A. Increased weight gain
• B. Decreased heart rate
• C. Reduced headaches
• D. Diminished fatigue

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a child with Graves' disease is prescribed propranolol (Inderal), the nurse should monitor for a decreased heart rate as a therapeutic response. Propranolol is a beta-blocker that acts to slow down the heart rate, which is beneficial in managing the symptoms of Graves' disease, such as tachycardia and other cardiovascular manifestations. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because propranolol is not typically associated with increased weight gain, reduced headaches, or diminished fatigue as its primary therapeutic effect in this context.

5. The mother calls the clinic and tells the practical nurse (PN) that her child cannot swallow a prescribed tablet that was dispensed by the local pharmacy as a whole tablet. How should the PN respond?

• A. You can crush the tablet and mix it with food.
• B. You should not force the child to swallow the tablets by holding her nose closed.
• C. If a liquid form is available, the pharmacist can be contacted for a prescription change.
• D. Do not advise the child to chew the tablet if she cannot swallow it.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a child is unable to swallow a tablet, the appropriate response is to consider if a liquid form of the medication is available. This is a safer and more effective alternative than forcing the child to swallow or chew the tablet. Contacting the pharmacist for a prescription change can provide a suitable solution that ensures the child receives the medication in a more manageable form. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because crushing the tablet and mixing it with food may alter the medication's effectiveness or taste, forcing the child to swallow or holding her nose closed can be distressing and ineffective, and advising the child to chew the tablet is not recommended as an alternative to swallowing it.

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