Nursing Elites

1. A child diagnosed with aplastic anemia is admitted to the hospital. The parents ask the nurse what aplastic anemia is. Which response by the nurse is accurate?

• A. Aplastic anemia causes a proliferation of white blood cells.
• B. Aplastic anemia is characterized by abnormally shaped red blood cells.
• C. Aplastic anemia is caused by the bone marrow producing inadequate cells.
• D. Aplastic anemia is a disorder that occurs after a viral illness.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Aplastic anemia is a condition where the bone marrow fails to produce sufficient red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, leading to pancytopenia. This can result in fatigue, infections, and bleeding tendencies. It is not characterized by abnormal red blood cell shapes, but rather by a reduction in the production of blood cells. Therefore, the accurate response is that aplastic anemia is caused by the bone marrow producing inadequate cells. Choices A and B are incorrect as aplastic anemia does not cause a proliferation of white blood cells or involve abnormally shaped red blood cells. Choice D is incorrect as aplastic anemia is not typically a disorder that occurs after a viral illness.

2. When assessing an infant with intussusception, what type of stool would the nurse expect to find?

• A. Soft, seedy stool
• B. Currant-jelly stool
• C. Ribbon-like stool
• D. Soft and pasty stool

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Currant-jelly stool. This type of stool, which is red and mucous-like, is a classic sign of intussusception in infants. Choice A (Soft, seedy stool) is incorrect as it does not specifically describe the characteristic stool associated with intussusception. Choice C (Ribbon-like stool) is incorrect; ribbon-like stool may be seen in conditions like colon cancer, not intussusception. Choice D (Soft and pasty stool) is also incorrect as it does not match the typical stool finding in intussusception.

3. Which teaching point should the nurse include when providing education to an adolescent client who participates in soccer regarding the plan of care for diabetes mellitus?

• A. Decreased food intake
• B. Increased doses of insulin
• C. Increased food intake
• D. Decreased doses of insulin

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct teaching point the nurse should include is to advise the adolescent client who participates in soccer to increase food intake. Physical activity increases glucose utilization, so adolescents with diabetes need to consume additional carbohydrates to prevent hypoglycemia during and after exercise. Choice A (Decreased food intake) is incorrect because the adolescent needs extra carbohydrates to support the increased physical activity. Choice B (Increased doses of insulin) is incorrect as the focus should be on adjusting food intake rather than insulin doses. Choice D (Decreased doses of insulin) is also incorrect as the insulin doses should be adjusted based on the increased food intake and physical activity level.

4. The child is admitted with acute abdominal pain and possible appendicitis. What intervention is appropriate to relieve the abdominal discomfort during the evaluation?

• A. Place the child in the Trendelenburg position.
• B. Apply moist heat to the abdomen.
• C. Allow the child to assume a position of comfort.
• D. Administer a saline enema to cleanse the bowel.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Allowing the child to assume a position of comfort is appropriate as it helps alleviate discomfort without the risk of complications. Placing the child in the Trendelenburg position could increase intra-abdominal pressure and worsen the condition. Applying moist heat may lead to vasodilation and potential perforation in case of appendicitis. Administering a saline enema can be harmful if the appendix is inflamed or perforated.

5. A thorough systemic physical assessment is necessary in the extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infant to detect what?

• A. Weight gain reflective of fluid retention
• B. Difficulties in maternal-child attachment
• C. Subtle changes that may be indicative of an underlying problem
• D. Changes in Apgar score over the first 24 hours of life

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants, a thorough systemic physical assessment is crucial to detect subtle changes that may indicate an underlying problem. These infants are highly vulnerable and may show signs of stress through changes in feeding behavior, activity, color, oxygen saturation, or vital signs. Monitoring weight in ELBW infants primarily reflects genitourinary function rather than fluid retention. Difficulties in maternal-child attachment are important but are usually assessed during parental visits and are not the primary focus of a systemic physical assessment. Changes in the Apgar score are used immediately after birth to assess the transition to extrauterine life and are not as relevant in the following 24 hours to detect ongoing subtle issues.

Similar Questions