Nursing Elites

1. A 3-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with severe dehydration. The healthcare provider prescribes an IV infusion of 0.9% normal saline. The nurse notes that the child’s heart rate is 150 beats per minute, and the blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Administer the IV fluids as prescribed
• B. Notify the healthcare provider
• C. Check the child’s urine output
• D. Reassess the child’s vital signs in 30 minutes

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a pediatric patient with severe dehydration and signs of compromised hemodynamics such as tachycardia (heart rate of 150 bpm) and hypotension (blood pressure of 90/50 mm Hg), the priority intervention is to administer IV fluids as prescribed. Immediate fluid resuscitation is essential to restore hydration, improve perfusion, and stabilize the child's vital signs. While it's important to monitor urine output, initiating fluid resuscitation takes precedence in this situation. Notifying the healthcare provider can cause a delay in critical intervention, and waiting to reassess vital signs in 30 minutes can be detrimental in a child with severe dehydration and compromised hemodynamics.

2. What information should the nurse provide the parents of a 3-year-old boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) who are concerned about having more children?

• A. This is an inherited X-linked recessive disorder, which primarily affects male children in the family.
• B. The male infant had a viral infection that went unnoticed and untreated, leading to muscle damage.
• C. The mother's lack of the protein dystrophin can impact the XXXX muscle groups in males.
• D. Birth trauma during a breech vaginal birth can damage the spinal cord, resulting in muscle weakness.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an inherited X-linked recessive disorder that primarily affects male children in the family. Since it is X-linked, sons inherit the mutation from their mothers who are carriers of the abnormal gene. Therefore, the nurse should explain to the parents that any future sons they have would have a 50% chance of inheriting the mutation and having DMD, while daughters would have a 50% chance of being carriers like the mother.

3. When developing a behavior modification program for an extremely aggressive 10-year-old boy, what should the nurse do first?

• A. Determine what activities, foods, and toys the child enjoys
• B. Evaluate the child’s previous reactions to punishment
• C. Provide the child with positive feedback
• D. Encourage other children on the unit to describe the token system

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The first step in developing a behavior modification program for an aggressive child is to determine what activities, foods, and toys the child enjoys. Understanding the child's preferences allows the nurse to personalize the program, making it more engaging and effective. This approach increases the chances of success in modifying the aggressive behavior. Evaluating previous reactions to punishment (Choice B) may be important but comes later in the process. Providing positive feedback (Choice C) is beneficial but should come after tailoring the program. Encouraging other children to describe the token system (Choice D) is not the initial step; the focus should be on individualizing the program for the specific child first.

4. The parents of a 5-year-old child, recently diagnosed with celiac disease, are being educated by the healthcare provider. Which statement by the parents indicates a need for further teaching?

• A. We need to avoid giving our child any foods that contain wheat, barley, or rye
• B. Our child can still eat oats as long as they are labeled gluten-free
• C. We should read food labels carefully to check for hidden sources of gluten
• D. It’s okay for our child to have small amounts of gluten occasionally

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Children with celiac disease must strictly adhere to a gluten-free diet. Even small amounts of gluten can cause harm by triggering an immune response that damages the intestines. It is crucial for parents to understand that allowing their child to have small amounts of gluten occasionally is not safe and can lead to complications. Therefore, further teaching is needed to emphasize the importance of complete avoidance of gluten-containing foods for a child with celiac disease. Choices A, B, and C demonstrate understanding of the need to avoid gluten-containing foods and hidden sources of gluten, which are essential in managing celiac disease. Choice D is incorrect as it suggests a lax approach to the child's diet, which can be harmful in the case of celiac disease.

5. A 5-year-old child is brought to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain and vomiting. The child’s parent reports that the pain started suddenly and is located in the lower right abdomen. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Administer pain medication
• B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
• C. Start an IV line for fluid administration
• D. Obtain a complete blood count

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to notify the healthcare provider immediately. The child's presentation of sudden, severe abdominal pain in the lower right abdomen is highly concerning for appendicitis, a medical emergency. Promptly notifying the healthcare provider is crucial for further evaluation and management. Administering pain medication as the first action might mask symptoms and delay diagnosis. Starting an IV line for fluid administration and obtaining a complete blood count are important interventions but should come after healthcare provider notification.

Similar Questions