Nursing Elites

1. A 7-year-old child has an altered mental status, high fever, and a generalized rash. You perform your assessment and administer supplemental oxygen. En route to the hospital, you should be MOST alert for:

• A. hypotension.
• B. combativeness.
• C. convulsions.
• D. respiratory distress.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a 7-year-old child with altered mental status, high fever, and a generalized rash, the most critical concern is the potential for convulsions. These symptoms could indicate a serious underlying condition, such as a febrile seizure or another type of seizure activity. Monitoring for convulsions is crucial during transport to ensure prompt intervention if they occur, as seizures can lead to additional complications and require immediate management.

2. You are treating a 5-year-old child who has had severe diarrhea and vomiting for 3 days and is now showing signs of shock. Supplemental oxygen has been given, and you have elevated his lower extremities. En route to the hospital, you note that his work of breathing has increased. You should:

• A. begin positive-pressure ventilations and reassess the child.
• B. lower the extremities and reassess the child.
• C. listen to the lungs with a stethoscope for abnormal breath sounds.
• D. insert a nasopharyngeal airway and increase the oxygen flow.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When the work of breathing increases after elevating the legs, it is important to lower the extremities. Elevating the lower extremities in a child with signs of shock can worsen the condition by reducing venous return to the heart. Lowering the extremities can help improve venous return and potentially alleviate the increased work of breathing.

3. A new mother asks the nurse when she should begin to breastfeed her newborn. The nurse's best response is:

• A. Within the first half-hour after birth
• B. After the newborn's first bath
• C. When the newborn begins to cry
• D. After administering vitamin K

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Initiating breastfeeding within the first half-hour after birth is crucial for successful breastfeeding and bonding, as recommended by the World Health Organization. This early initiation helps establish breastfeeding and supports the newborn's health by providing colostrum, the nutrient-rich first milk. Choice B, 'After the newborn's first bath,' is incorrect because initiating breastfeeding should not be delayed after birth. Choice C, 'When the newborn begins to cry,' is incorrect as it does not promote timely initiation of breastfeeding. Choice D, 'After administering vitamin K,' is incorrect because breastfeeding initiation should not be delayed for this procedure.

4. What is the most important intervention to decrease the stressors of hospitalization for a 9-month-old infant being treated for a bacterial infection?

• A. Encourage the infant's parents to remain at the bedside and actively participate in the infant's care.
• B. Provide a brightly lit environment for the infant.
• C. Play tapes of the mother's voice.
• D. Assign the same nurse to the infant as much as possible.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Encouraging the infant's parents to remain at the bedside and actively participate in the infant's care is crucial in decreasing the stressors of hospitalization for the infant. Parental presence provides comfort and security, promotes bonding, and maintains a sense of familiarity for the infant during a potentially stressful situation. This involvement can help reduce anxiety and promote better outcomes for the infant's emotional well-being and overall hospital experience. Providing a brightly lit environment (choice B) can actually increase stress for the infant, as infants generally prefer dimly lit environments for better sleep. Playing tapes of the mother's voice (choice C) may offer some comfort but does not substitute for parental presence. While assigning the same nurse to the infant (choice D) can provide continuity of care, it is not as effective as having the parents present for emotional support and bonding.

5. An infant with congestive heart failure is receiving diuretic therapy. A nurse is closely monitoring the intake and output. The nurse uses which most appropriate method to assess the urine output?

• A. Weighing the diapers
• B. Inserting a Foley catheter
• C. Comparing intake with output
• D. Measuring the amount of water added to formula

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Weighing the diapers is the most appropriate method to assess urine output in infants. Diapers will absorb and retain urine, providing a measurable indicator of urine output without invasive procedures. This method is non-invasive, simple, and convenient for monitoring urine output, especially in infants who may not be able to use other urine output measurement techniques. Inserting a Foley catheter is invasive and not indicated for routine urine output monitoring in infants. Comparing intake with output does not directly measure urine output. Measuring the amount of water added to formula does not provide an accurate assessment of urine output.

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