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 admitting a 9-year-old child with hemolytic uremic syndrome. What clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to observe? (Select all that apply.)

• A. All are correct
• B. Anorexia
• C. Hypertension
• D. Purpura

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) typically presents with hematuria, anorexia, hypertension, and purpura due to the hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal failure that characterize this condition.

3. 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.

4. What intervention is contraindicated in a suspected case of appendicitis?

• A. Enemas
• B. Palpating the abdomen
• C. Administration of antibiotics
• D. Administration of antipyretics for fever

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Enemas are contraindicated in cases of suspected appendicitis because they can increase the risk of perforation. The pressure from the enema can exacerbate inflammation and potentially lead to the rupture of the appendix. Palpating the abdomen gently is essential for diagnosing appendicitis, as it helps identify the characteristic signs like rebound tenderness. Antibiotics are commonly used to treat the infection associated with appendicitis, and antipyretics are administered to manage fever, which is a common symptom of the condition. Therefore, enemas are the intervention to avoid in suspected appendicitis cases.

5. The nurse is planning an educational session for a group of 9-year-olds and their parents aimed at decreasing injuries and accidents among this age group. Which topics should be included in the educational session to accomplish the goal?

• A. Safety rules when dealing with fire to prevent burns.
• B. Safety rules when dealing with toxic substances to prevent poisonings.
• C. Pedestrian, motor vehicle, and bike safety rules.
• D. Safety information regarding the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

Correct answer: C

Rationale: For school-aged children, pedestrian, motor vehicle, and bike safety are critical areas to focus on as accidents involving these are common in this age group. Education about fire safety and toxic substances is also important, but the priority is on preventing accidents in everyday activities. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are not the most relevant for addressing the goal of decreasing injuries and accidents in this age group.

Similar Questions