Nursing Elites

1. How should a nurse prepare a 15-month-old child diagnosed with hydrocephalus for a computed tomography (CT) scan?

• A. Shaving the child's head
• B. Starting the prescribed IV infusion
• C. Administering the prescribed sedative
• D. Giving the child a simple explanation of the procedure

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Preparing a toddler for a CT scan involves providing a simple explanation of the procedure to help reduce anxiety and fear. Shaving the child's head is unnecessary for a CT scan and may increase distress. Starting an IV infusion or administering sedatives may not be appropriate or necessary for all pediatric patients undergoing CT scans, especially if the child can cooperate without these interventions.

2. A child has been admitted to the pediatric unit with a severe asthma attack. What type of acid-base imbalance should the nurse expect the child to develop?

• A. metabolic alkalosis due to insufficient production of acid metabolites
• B. respiratory alkalosis due to depressed respirations and retention of carbon dioxide
• C. respiratory acidosis due to impaired respirations and increased formation of carbonic acid
• D. metabolic acidosis due to the kidneys' inability to compensate for decreased carbonic acid formation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a severe asthma attack, the child is likely to develop respiratory acidosis. This occurs due to impaired respirations, leading to the retention of carbon dioxide and the formation of carbonic acid. Choice A is incorrect as metabolic alkalosis is not expected in this situation. Choice B is incorrect as respiratory alkalosis does not align with the scenario of impaired respirations in severe asthma attacks. Choice D is also incorrect as it describes metabolic acidosis, which is not typically associated with severe asthma attacks.

3. A 4-year-old child is scheduled for a myringotomy. What should the nurse include in the preoperative teaching?

• A. Explain the procedure in simple terms
• B. Encourage fluid intake
• C. Allow the child to play with medical equipment
• D. Use play therapy to prepare the child

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Explaining the procedure in simple terms is essential preoperative teaching for a 4-year-old child scheduled for a myringotomy. This approach helps the child understand what will happen during the procedure, reducing anxiety and fear. Encouraging fluid intake is a good general health practice but not directly related to preoperative teaching for this procedure. Allowing the child to play with medical equipment may not be safe or appropriate as it can lead to misunderstanding or fear. Using play therapy can be beneficial but explaining the procedure in simple terms is more direct and effective for preoperative teaching in this case.

4. You are caring for a 6-year-old child with a possible fractured left arm and have reason to believe that the child was abused. How should you manage this situation?

• A. inform the parents of your suspicions
• B. call the police so the parents can be arrested
• C. advise the parents that the child needs to be transported
• D. transport the child to the hospital regardless of the parents' wishes

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In cases where child abuse is suspected, the priority is the safety and well-being of the child. Advising the parents that the child needs to be transported allows for the child to receive necessary medical care without immediate confrontation or escalating the situation. Calling the police to have the parents arrested without concrete evidence may not be appropriate and could further endanger the child. Informing the parents of suspicions may lead to interference or denial of necessary care. Transporting the child to the hospital is crucial, but involving and engaging with the parents in a non-confrontational manner is the initial step to ensure the child's safety and well-being.

5. The nurse is teaching the parents of a 1-month-old girl with Down syndrome how to maintain good health for the child. Which instruction would the nurse be least likely to include?

• A. Getting cervical radiographs between 3 and 5 years of age
• B. Adhering to the special dietary needs of the child
• C. Getting an echocardiogram before 3 months of age
• D. Monitoring for symptoms of respiratory infection

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. While special dietary needs may be important for a child with Down syndrome, they are typically not the primary concern for a 1-month-old. The nurse would be least likely to focus on this aspect as immediate issues such as monitoring for congenital heart defects (echocardiogram), cervical spine abnormalities (radiographs), and respiratory infections are more critical in the early months. Adhering to dietary needs is important, but it is usually addressed as the child grows older and is not the priority during the infant stage.

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