Nursing Elites

1. A 3-year-old child with Hirschsprung disease is hospitalized for surgery. A temporary colostomy will be necessary. How should the nurse prepare this child?

• A. It is unnecessary because of child’s age.
• B. It is essential because it will be an adjustment.
• C. Preparation is not needed because the colostomy is temporary.
• D. Preparation is important because the child needs to deal with negative body image.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Preparation is essential even for a young child, as they need to adjust to the temporary colostomy and understand the changes to their body, which can be confusing and distressing without proper explanation.

2. In teaching parents about appropriate pacifier selection, the nurse should recommend which characteristic?

• A. Easily grasped handle
• B. Detachable shield for cleaning
• C. Soft, pliable material
• D. Ribbon or string to secure to clothing

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A pacifier with an easily grasped handle is safer and more convenient for the infant to use without the risk of choking hazards that detachable parts might pose.

3. Pertussis vaccination should begin at which age?

• A. Birth
• B. 2 months
• C. 6 months
• D. 12 months

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The DTaP vaccine, which includes pertussis, is typically started at 2 months of age as part of the recommended immunization schedule.

4. At what age is the first dose of the hepatitis A vaccine recommended to be started?

• A. 1 year
• B. 1 month
• C. 12 years
• D. It is not recommended at any age

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 1 year. The hepatitis A vaccine is now recommended for all children starting at age 1 year (i.e., 12 to 23 months). This is due to the recognition of hepatitis A as a significant child health problem, especially in areas with high infection rates. The virus is primarily spread through fecal-oral transmission, person-to-person contact, ingestion of contaminated food or water, and rarely through blood transfusion. Administering the first dose at 1 year helps protect children from this infection. Choices B and C are incorrect as the vaccine is not recommended at 1 month or 12 years. Choice D is also incorrect as the hepatitis A vaccine is recommended at a specific age to prevent the infection.

5. Following treatment for iron deficiency anemia, the physician orders lab tests. Which lab value would indicate an improvement in the child’s condition?

• A. Low hemoglobin
• B. Normal platelet count
• C. High reticulocyte count
• D. Low hematocrit

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A high reticulocyte count indicates that the bone marrow is producing more red blood cells, which is a sign of recovery from anemia as the body replenishes its iron stores and increases hemoglobin levels. Low hemoglobin (Choice A) would indicate ongoing anemia rather than improvement. A normal platelet count (Choice B) and low hematocrit (Choice D) are not specific indicators of improvement in iron deficiency anemia.

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