Nursing Elites

1. A 9-year-old girl was struck by a car while crossing the street. Your assessment reveals a large contusion over the left upper quadrant of her abdomen and signs of shock. Which of the following organs is MOST likely injured?

• A. Liver
• B. Kidney
• C. Pancreas
• D. Spleen

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The presence of a large contusion over the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, along with signs of shock, points towards a likely injury to the spleen, especially following trauma. The spleen is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen and is susceptible to injury due to its position and vulnerability to blunt trauma.

2. What are the MOST important initial steps in assessing and managing a newborn?

• A. Drying and warming the infant, obtaining an APGAR score.
• B. Clearing the airway, keeping the infant warm.
• C. Suctioning the airway, obtaining a heart rate.
• D. Keeping the infant warm, counting respirations.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most crucial initial steps in assessing and managing a newborn involve clearing the airway to ensure proper breathing and keeping the infant warm to maintain body temperature. Airway clearance helps prevent respiratory distress, while warmth is essential to prevent hypothermia, a common issue in newborns. These steps are vital in the immediate care of a newborn to support their transition to extrauterine life and ensure their well-being. Choice A is incorrect because obtaining an APGAR score is important but not as critical as clearing the airway. Choice C is incorrect as suctioning the airway is not always necessary and obtaining a heart rate is secondary to ensuring a clear airway and warmth. Choice D is incorrect because counting respirations is not as immediate and crucial as clearing the airway.

3. During transport of a woman in labor, the patient tells you that she feels the urge to push. You assess her and see the top of the baby's head bulging from the vagina. What should you do?

• A. Ask the mother to take short, quick breaths until you arrive at the hospital.
• B. Allow the head to deliver and check for the location of the cord.
• C. Apply gentle pressure to the baby's head and notify the hospital immediately.
• D. Advise your partner to stop the ambulance and assist with the delivery.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When the top of the baby's head is visible (crowning) during transport, it indicates imminent delivery. In this situation, it is crucial to stop the ambulance and assist with the delivery. This ensures a safe delivery process for the mother and the baby. Waiting to arrive at the hospital or attempting to apply pressure to the baby's head can lead to complications. Allowing the head to deliver and checking for the cord's location is a necessary step during the delivery process, but the immediate priority is to assist in the safe delivery of the baby.

4. What comment made by a parent of a 1-month-old would alert the nurse about the presence of a congenital heart defect?

• A. He is always hungry.
• B. He tires out during feedings.
• C. He is fussy for several hours every day.
• D. He sleeps all the time.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Observing a 1-month-old tiring out during feedings should alert the nurse to the possibility of a congenital heart defect. This symptom may indicate that the infant is expending excess energy to compensate for a heart issue, leading to fatigue during feeding. Choices A, C, and D do not directly relate to a congenital heart defect. Being always hungry, fussy, or sleeping a lot are not specific signs of a congenital heart defect in a 1-month-old.

5. 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.

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