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. A parent tells a nurse at the clinic, 'Each morning I offer my 24-month-old child juice, and all I hear is ‘No.’ What should I do because I know my child needs fluid?' What strategy should the nurse suggest?

• A. Offer the child a choice of two juices.
• B. Distract the child with a favorite food.
• C. Offer the child the glass in a firm manner.
• D. Allow the child to see the parent getting angry.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Offering a choice between two options allows the child to feel a sense of control while ensuring they get the necessary fluids. Providing a choice empowers the child and increases the likelihood of cooperation. Distracting the child with food or offering the glass in a firm manner may not address the underlying issue of refusal. Allowing the child to witness the parent's anger can create a negative environment and may not help in resolving the situation positively.

3. A major developmental milestone of a toddler is the achievement of autonomy. What should the parents do to enhance their toddler’s need for autonomy?

• A. Teach the child to share with others.
• B. Help the child learn society’s roles.
• C. Teach the child to accept external limits.
• D. Help the child develop internal controls.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Toddlers striving for autonomy need to develop internal controls to foster their independence. Teaching the child to share (Choice A) focuses more on social skills rather than autonomy. Helping the child learn society’s roles (Choice B) is important but not directly related to enhancing autonomy. Teaching the child to accept external limits (Choice C) is contrary to promoting autonomy as it emphasizes conformity to external rules rather than internal self-regulation.

4. A nurse is assessing a child with suspected rheumatic fever. What clinical manifestation is the nurse likely to observe?

• A. Jaundice
• B. Peeling skin on the hands and feet
• C. High fever
• D. Severe joint pain

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, severe joint pain. Rheumatic fever commonly presents with severe joint pain due to joint inflammation. Jaundice (choice A) is not typically associated with rheumatic fever. Peeling skin on the hands and feet (choice B) is more indicative of conditions like Kawasaki disease. While a high fever (choice C) can be present, it is not as specific to rheumatic fever as severe joint pain. Severe joint pain, along with other criteria like carditis, subcutaneous nodules, erythema marginatum, and Sydenham chorea, are major criteria used in the diagnosis of rheumatic fever.

5. A 6-year-old child with asthma is admitted to the hospital with an acute exacerbation. What is the priority nursing intervention?

• A. Administering a bronchodilator
• B. Administering an antihistamine
• C. Administering a corticosteroid
• D. Administering oxygen

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering a bronchodilator is the priority intervention for a child experiencing an acute asthma exacerbation. Bronchodilators help to dilate the airways quickly, providing immediate relief by opening up the narrowed air passages in asthma. Antihistamines are not the first-line treatment for asthma exacerbations and may not address the underlying bronchoconstriction. Corticosteroids are important for long-term control of asthma but may take longer to have an effect compared to bronchodilators. Administering oxygen is essential for hypoxemia in asthma exacerbations, but the priority is to relieve bronchoconstriction promptly with a bronchodilator.

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