Nursing Elites

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

• A. vomiting
• B. seizures
• C. combativeness
• D. respiratory distress

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Seizures are a common complication in children with high fever and altered mental status, indicating a risk of febrile seizures. While vomiting can occur with altered mental status, seizures are of higher concern due to the association with febrile illnesses in children. Combativeness may be a concern in some altered mental status cases but is not as common as seizures. Respiratory distress, although important, is not the primary concern in this scenario given the symptoms presented.

2. The nurse has developed a plan of care for a 6-year-old with muscular dystrophy. He was recently injured when he fell out of bed at home. Which intervention would the nurse suggest to prevent further injury?

• A. Recommend raising the bed's side rails throughout the day and night.
• B. Suggest having a caregiver present continuously to prevent falls from bed.
• C. Encourage the use of a loose restraint when he is in bed.
• D. Recommend raising the bed's side rails when a caregiver is not present.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: For a child with muscular dystrophy who fell out of bed, it is important to prevent further injuries. Using bed side rails when a caregiver is not present can help provide a safety measure and prevent falls. While continuous caregiver presence (choice B) may be ideal, it may not always be feasible. Recommending raising the bed's side rails throughout the day and night (choice A) may limit the child's mobility unnecessarily. Encouraging the use of a loose restraint (choice C) can be dangerous and may increase the risk of injury in case of a fall.

3. A 5-year-old child is diagnosed with acute glomerulonephritis. What is a key assessment the nurse should perform?

• A. Monitor blood glucose levels
• B. Monitor respiratory rate
• C. Monitor urine output
• D. Monitor for signs of infection

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a child diagnosed with acute glomerulonephritis, monitoring urine output is a crucial assessment. Acute glomerulonephritis affects the kidneys, leading to decreased urine output due to impaired kidney function. Monitoring urine output helps assess renal perfusion, fluid status, and kidney function. This assessment is essential in determining the effectiveness of treatment and identifying complications. Monitoring blood glucose levels (Choice A) is not directly related to acute glomerulonephritis. Respiratory rate (Choice B) may be important in other conditions but is not a key assessment for acute glomerulonephritis. Monitoring for signs of infection (Choice D) is important in general, but it is not specific to the primary issue of impaired kidney function in acute glomerulonephritis.

4. When administering IV fluids to a dehydrated infant, what intervention is most important at this time?

• A. Continuing the prescribed flow rate
• B. Monitoring the intravenous drop rate
• C. Calculating the total necessary intake
• D. Maintaining the fluid at body temperature

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Monitoring the intravenous drop rate is the most crucial intervention when administering IV fluids to a dehydrated infant. This ensures that the correct amount of fluids is being delivered to the infant at the appropriate rate. While continuing the prescribed flow rate (Choice A) may be important, it does not allow for real-time adjustments that may be necessary during the infusion. Calculating the total necessary intake (Choice C) should have been determined before initiating IV therapy. Maintaining the fluid at body temperature (Choice D) is important for patient comfort but is not as critical as ensuring the proper administration of fluids.

5. What should the nurse include in the preoperative teaching for a 4-year-old child scheduled for a tonsillectomy?

• A. Explaining the procedure in detail
• B. Encouraging deep breathing exercises
• C. Discussing the importance of hydration
• D. Using play therapy to prepare the child

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Encouraging deep breathing exercises is crucial preoperative teaching for a child scheduled for a tonsillectomy as it helps improve lung function and can prevent postoperative complications like pneumonia. Explaining the procedure in detail may heighten the child's anxiety, making it less ideal. While discussing hydration is important, it may not be the top priority for preoperative teaching for this specific procedure. Play therapy can reduce fear and anxiety, but encouraging deep breathing exercises directly contributes to better postoperative outcomes by enhancing respiratory function.

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