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. The nurse is preparing to feed a 10-month-old child diagnosed with failure to thrive (FTT). Which actions should the nurse plan to implement?

• A. Be persistent.
• B. Introduce new foods slowly.
• C. All are correct
• D. Maintain a calm, even temperament.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Persistence in feeding, introducing new foods slowly, and maintaining a calm temperament are key strategies in managing FTT. A stimulating atmosphere may overwhelm the child and should be minimized during feeding times.

3. The nurse is planning care for a hospitalized preschool-aged child. Which should the nurse plan to ensure atraumatic care?

• A. Limit explanation of procedures because the child is preschool-aged
• B. Ask that all family members leave the room when performing procedures
• C. Allow the child to choose the type of juice to drink with the administration of oral medications
• D. Explain that EMLA cream cannot be used for the morning lab draw because there is not time for it to be effective

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Allowing the child to make choices, such as selecting the type of juice, helps to maintain a sense of control and reduce anxiety, ensuring atraumatic care.

4. An infant with hydrocephalus is hospitalized for surgical placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Postoperative nursing care would include what?

• A. Monitor closely for signs of infection.
• B. Place the child with the operative side of the head up.
• C. Avoid pumping the shunt reservoir to maintain patency.
• D. Avoid maintaining a Trendelenburg position to decrease pressure on the shunt.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Postoperative nursing care for an infant with hydrocephalus who underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement includes monitoring closely for signs of infection, as infection is the greatest hazard in the postoperative period. Signs of cerebrospinal fluid infection to watch for include elevated temperature, poor feeding, vomiting, decreased responsiveness, and seizure activity. The child should be placed with the operative side of the head up to reduce pressure on the valve. The shunt reservoir should not be pumped to maintain patency, as this can disrupt its function. Maintaining a Trendelenburg position to decrease pressure on the shunt is contraindicated as it can lead to increased intracranial pressure and compromise the shunt's effectiveness.

5. The nurse is performing an oral examination on a preschool child. Which strategies should the nurse use to encourage the child to open the mouth for the examination? (Select all that apply.)

• A. Lightly brush the palate with a cotton swab
• B. Perform the examination in front of a mirror
• C. Let the child examine someone else's mouth first
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Using a cotton swab, allowing the child to observe, and demonstrating on someone else are effective ways to encourage a preschooler to open their mouth for examination.

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