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. A school-age child with cancer is being prepared for a procedure. The child says, “I have had one of these before. They hurt.” The nurse bases her response on what knowledge related to pain in this patient?

• A. Often misrepresent experiencing pain
• B. Tolerate pain better than adults
• C. Become accustomed to painful procedures
• D. Commonly experience treatment-related moderate to severe pain when they have cancer

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Pain is frequently reported by children with cancer, with around 84% experiencing it. Most children report moderate to severe pain, with about half finding it highly distressing. There is no evidence to suggest that children often misrepresent their pain experiences. Pain tolerance is not solely based on age but is a complex phenomenon. Children do not become accustomed to painful procedures, as each experience of pain is unique.

3. What changes could the school nurse implement at the school to help reduce students’ risk for developing type 2 diabetes?

• A. Increase the amount of daily physical activity.
• B. Decrease the amount of daily physical activity.
• C. Test each child’s urine monthly.
• D. Teach parents to avoid administering aspirin to their child.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Increasing physical activity helps improve insulin sensitivity and can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes in children. Regular physical activity is a key component in managing weight and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Decreasing physical activity (Choice B) would not be beneficial in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Testing each child’s urine monthly (Choice C) is not directly related to preventing type 2 diabetes. Teaching parents to avoid administering aspirin to their child (Choice D) is important for Reye's syndrome prevention but not directly related to reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

4. The nurse is caring for a child with a urinary tract infection who is on trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim). What side effects of this medication should the nurse teach to the parents and the child? (Select all that apply.)

• A. Rash
• B. Urticaria
• C. All are applicable
• D. Photosensitivity

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) can cause side effects like rash, urticaria, and photosensitivity. Parents and the child should be educated on these potential side effects to ensure prompt recognition and management.

5. What statement is an advantage of peritoneal dialysis compared with hemodialysis?

• A. Protein loss is less extensive.
• B. Dietary limitations are not necessary.
• C. It is easy to learn and safe to perform.
• D. It is needed less frequently than hemodialysis.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Peritoneal dialysis is generally easier to learn and can be safely performed at home. Although dietary limitations still apply, this method offers greater flexibility in treatment scheduling compared to hemodialysis, which often requires multiple weekly visits to a dialysis center.

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