Nursing Elites

1. A 12-year-old child had an appendectomy 18 hours ago. The nurse is monitoring the child for pain control. Which of the following tools is most appropriate for assessing the child’s pain?

• A. FLACC scale
• B. Numeric scale
• C. NIPS scale
• D. FACES scale

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The Numeric scale is the most appropriate tool for assessing pain in older children, like a 12-year-old, as they can comprehend and use numbers to indicate their pain levels accurately. The FLACC scale is typically used for nonverbal or preverbal children. The NIPS scale is designed for neonates and infants. The FACES scale is more commonly used in younger children who may have difficulty expressing their pain in other ways.

2. According to Piaget, which principle supports a nine-year-old child's understanding that an arm will look the same when the IV is removed?

• A. The principle of conservation
• B. The principle of transductive reasoning
• C. The principle of identity
• D. The principle of reflex abilities

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, the principle of conservation. Piaget's principle of conservation relates to a child's ability to understand that certain properties of objects remain unchanged despite modifications in their appearance. In this case, the child's understanding that an arm will look the same after the IV is removed demonstrates conservation of appearance. Choice B, transductive reasoning, involves making faulty generalizations based on specific instances and does not apply in this context. Choice C, the principle of identity, pertains to recognizing objects as the same even if they undergo transformations, which is not directly relevant to the scenario. Choice D, reflex abilities, refers to automatic responses to stimuli and is unrelated to the child's understanding of the arm's appearance post-IV removal.

3. What is the most appropriate action for a healthcare provider if a child presents with suspected meningitis?

• A. Administer antibiotics immediately
• B. Perform a lumbar puncture
• C. Isolate the child
• D. Obtain a complete blood count

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Isolating the child is a priority to prevent the spread of infection until meningitis is confirmed or ruled out. Meningitis, particularly bacterial, is highly contagious and can lead to outbreaks if not properly managed. Isolation and prompt treatment are critical in preventing serious complications. Administering antibiotics immediately without confirmation of the diagnosis can be harmful if the cause is viral or non-infectious. Performing a lumbar puncture is a diagnostic procedure that should be done by a healthcare provider but is not the initial action when suspecting meningitis. Obtaining a complete blood count may be part of the diagnostic workup but is not the most appropriate initial action in suspected meningitis.

4. What is an appropriate nursing intervention for a child with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) who has scrotal edema?

• A. Place an ice pack on the scrotal area.
• B. Place the child in an upright sitting position.
• C. Elevate the scrotum with a rolled washcloth.
• D. Place a warm moist pack to the scrotal area.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Elevating the scrotum with a rolled washcloth helps reduce edema by promoting fluid drainage. Ice packs are not recommended due to the risk of frostbite, and warm moist packs are not typically used for this purpose. An upright position does not specifically address the edema.

5. Apgar scoring is conducted at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth. It is used to determine:

• A. Major body systems’ responses at birth
• B. Future intelligence of the newborn
• C. Level of parent and newborn interaction
• D. Gestational age of the newborn

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The Apgar score assesses a newborn's physical condition immediately after birth by evaluating heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex response, and color. Therefore, the correct answer is A. The other choices are incorrect because B) the Apgar score does not predict future intelligence, C) it does not measure parent and newborn interaction, and D) it is not used to determine gestational age.

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