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. Which of the following is a characteristic finding in Kawasaki disease?

• A. Strawberry tongue
• B. Polyarthritis
• C. Hematuria
• D. Rashes

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A 'strawberry tongue' is a characteristic finding in Kawasaki disease. The presence of a 'strawberry tongue' is a classic sign of Kawasaki disease, along with other features such as conjunctivitis and rash. Choice B, polyarthritis, is not typically seen in Kawasaki disease. Choice C, hematuria, is not a common finding in Kawasaki disease but may be seen in other conditions. Choice D, rashes, are present in Kawasaki disease but are not as specific or characteristic as the 'strawberry tongue'. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

3. Which pediatric disorder is associated with a 'boot-shaped' heart on a chest x-ray?

• A. Tetralogy of Fallot
• B. Transposition of the great arteries
• C. Coarctation of the aorta
• D. Ventricular septal defect

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Tetralogy of Fallot. Tetralogy of Fallot is often associated with a 'boot-shaped' heart appearance on a chest x-ray due to the characteristic heart anatomy in this condition. This appearance is caused by the combination of pulmonary stenosis, overriding aorta, ventricular septal defect, and right ventricular hypertrophy. Choice B, Transposition of the great arteries, is incorrect because it presents with a 'egg-on-a-string' appearance on x-ray due to the abnormal position of the aorta and pulmonary artery. Choice C, Coarctation of the aorta, typically presents with rib notching on x-ray. Choice D, Ventricular septal defect, does not produce the 'boot-shaped' heart appearance seen in Tetralogy of Fallot.

4. Which medication should the nurse expect to administer to a child with an acute sickle cell pain crisis?

• A. Meperidine (Demerol)
• B. Morphine
• C. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• D. Ibuprofen (Motrin)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In the management of acute sickle cell pain crisis in children, morphine is the preferred medication due to its effectiveness in providing pain relief. Meperidine (Demerol) is less commonly used in this scenario because of its potential for neurotoxicity with repeated doses. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Motrin) are not typically sufficient for managing the severe pain associated with sickle cell crises and are not the first-line treatment options.

5. The clinic nurse is teaching parents about physiologic anemia that occurs in infants. What statement should the nurse include about the cause of physiologic anemia?

• A. Maternally derived iron stores are depleted in the first 2 months.
• B. Fetal hemoglobin results in a shortened survival of red blood cells.
• C. The production of adult hemoglobin decreases in the first year of life.
• D. Low levels of fetal hemoglobin depress the production of erythropoietin.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Physiologic anemia is caused by the transition from fetal to adult hemoglobin, with fetal hemoglobin having a shorter lifespan, leading to a temporary decrease in red blood cells.

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