Nursing Elites

1. A 5-year-old has patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for pain management after abdominal surgery. What information does the nurse include in teaching the parents about the PCA?

• A. The child may not be pain-free.
• B. The parents or nurse may push the button for a bolus if needed.
• C. The pump allows for a continuous basal rate to deliver a constant amount of medication for pain control.
• D. Monitoring is required every 1 to 2 hours to assess patient response.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the PCA pump can be programmed to deliver a continuous basal rate of pain medication to maintain pain control. While the goal of PCA is effective pain relief, it does not guarantee a pain-free state. In the case of a 5-year-old child, the parents or nurse can administer boluses if necessary since the child may not fully comprehend using the PCA button. Monitoring every 1 to 2 hours for patient response is adequate and there is no need for monitoring every 15 minutes, as stated in choice D, unless specific circumstances dictate more frequent monitoring.

2. After teaching a group of nursing students about developmental milestones for children between the ages of 1 and 4 years, the instructor determines that the teaching was successful when the students identify which of the following as a gross motor developmental milestone that occurs between 2 to 3 years of age?

• A. Jumping in place
• B. Climbing
• C. Standing on one foot with help
• D. Riding a tricycle

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Climbing is a gross motor milestone typically achieved between 2 to 3 years of age. It involves coordination and strength. Jumping in place is usually mastered around 2 years of age. Standing on one foot with help is a skill that emerges around 3 years. Riding a tricycle typically occurs closer to 3 years and involves coordination and balance, which are more refined skills compared to climbing at an earlier age.

3. A 4-month-old infant is discharged home after surgery for the repair of a cleft lip. What should instructions to the parents include?

• A. Provide crib toys for distraction
• B. Breast- or bottle-feeding can begin immediately
• C. Give pain medication to the infant to minimize crying
• D. Leave the infant in the crib at all times to prevent suture strain

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Pain management is essential postoperatively to reduce crying, which could place strain on the surgical site. Feeding and holding the infant are allowed, but care should be taken to avoid placing pressure on the suture line.

4. As children grow and develop, their style of play changes. Which play style is seen in the preschooler?

• A. Solitary
• B. Associative
• C. Cooperative
• D. Parallel

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Associative. Associative play is common in preschoolers, where children engage in separate activities but interact by sharing toys and talking with each other. This stage is characterized by more social interaction than solitary play (option A), where children play alone without interacting with others. Cooperative play (option C) involves children working together towards a common goal, which is typically seen in older children. Parallel play (option D) is when children play alongside each other but do not actively engage with one another, which is more common in toddlers.

5. An important role of the nurse in ambulatory settings and schools is the identification of communicable diseases for treatment and the prevention of spread. What is an important component related to the first period of the contagiousness of disease?

• A. Source
• B. Causative agent
• C. Prodromal stage
• D. Constitutional symptoms

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The prodromal period is the interval between the early manifestations of the disease and the time when the overt clinical syndrome is evident. Most communicable diseases are contagious during this time. Identifying the prodromal stage is crucial for early intervention and preventing the spread of the disease. While the source and causative agent are important aspects of disease control, recognizing the early signs in the prodromal stage allows the nurse to take timely actions. Constitutional symptoms occur during the active disease phase, indicating that the child has already been contagious, and early intervention opportunities may have passed.

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