Nursing Elites

1. A 12-year-old girl has recently begun menstruating and is well into puberty. The child is visiting the health care provider today for a routine physical examination. Which finding should cause concern in the nurse?

• A. Breasts of slightly different sizes
• B. Irregular periods
• C. Vulvar irritation
• D. Supernumerary nipple

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Vulvar irritation may indicate an infection or other issues and should be further evaluated. In a pubescent girl, breasts of slightly different sizes and irregular periods are common variations of normal development. Supernumerary nipple, an extra nipple, is a benign condition that is not typically concerning during puberty.

2. Physiologically, the child compensates for fluid volume losses by which mechanism?

• A. Inhibition of aldosterone secretion
• B. Hemoconcentration to reduce cardiac workload
• C. Fluid shift from interstitial space to intravascular space
• D. Vasodilation of peripheral arterioles to increase perfusion

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In response to dehydration, the body compensates by shifting fluids from the interstitial spaces to the intravascular space to maintain blood pressure and perfusion to vital organs. Hemoconcentration and vasoconstriction are other compensatory mechanisms but are less immediate.

3. Why does the nurse have a 2-year-old boy sit in a “tailor” position while palpating for the presence of the testes?

• A. It prevents the cremasteric reflex
• B. Undescended testes can be palpated
• C. The child has an inguinal hernia
• D. The child does not yet have a need for privacy

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The tailor position stretches the muscle responsible for the cremasteric reflex, preventing it from contracting and pulling the testes into the pelvic cavity. This position helps accurately palpate the testes. Choice B is incorrect because the position does not facilitate the palpation of undescended testes specifically. Choice C is incorrect as it does not relate to the rationale behind the tailor position. Choice D is incorrect as the reason for using the tailor position is not related to the child's need for privacy.

4. Why are neonates predisposed to problems with thermoregulation?

• A. Renal function is not fully developed
• B. Flexed posture favors heat loss
• C. A large body surface area favors heat loss to the environment
• D. A thick layer of subcutaneous fat provides excellent insulation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Newborns have a large surface area relative to their body weight, making them more susceptible to heat loss and requiring careful thermoregulation. Choice A is incorrect because renal function is not directly related to thermoregulation. Choice B is incorrect because a flexed posture actually helps reduce heat loss by minimizing the surface area exposed to the environment. Choice D is incorrect because neonates have limited subcutaneous fat, which contributes to their susceptibility to heat loss.

5. A child diagnosed with a soft tissue tumor is being treated with chemotherapy. Prior to administering the chemotherapy, which laboratory test should the nurse monitor to determine if the child has any capability of fighting infections?

• A. Hemoglobin
• B. Red blood cell count
• C. Platelets
• D. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is crucial for determining the child's ability to fight infections. Neutrophils play a key role in combating bacterial infections. Monitoring the ANC is essential before administering chemotherapy, as a low ANC indicates an increased risk of infection. Hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and platelets are important for assessing oxygen-carrying capacity, anemia, and clotting function, respectively, but they do not directly reflect the child's capability to fight infections.

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