Nursing Elites

1. A child has a central venous access device for intravenous (IV) fluid administration. A blood sample is needed for a complete blood count, hemogram, and electrolytes. What is the appropriate procedure to implement for this blood sample?

• A. Perform a new venipuncture to obtain the blood sample.
• B. Interrupt the IV fluid and withdraw the blood sample needed.
• C. Withdraw a blood sample equal to the amount of fluid in the device, discard, and then withdraw the sample needed.
• D. Flush the line and central venous device with saline and then aspirate the required amount of blood for the sample.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Withdrawing and discarding a sample equal to the amount of fluid in the device ensures that the blood drawn is not diluted by the IV fluids, providing accurate lab results.

2. The nurse is teaching a parent of a 6-month-old infant with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) before discharge. What instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Elevate the head of the bed in the crib to a 90-degree angle while the infant is sleeping.
• B. Hold the infant in the prone position after a feeding.
• C. Discontinue breastfeeding so that a formula and rice cereal mixture can be used.
• D. Prescribed cimetidine (Tagamet) should be given 30 minutes before feedings.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Cimetidine is an H2 blocker that reduces stomach acid, helping manage GER. Holding the infant in the prone position is not recommended due to the risk of SIDS. Breastfeeding should not be discontinued unless advised by a physician. Elevating the head to 90 degrees is excessive.

3. A 5-year-old has patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for pain management after abdominal surgery. What information does the nurse include in teaching the parents about the PCA?

• A. The child may not be pain-free.
• B. The parents or nurse may push the button for a bolus if needed.
• C. The pump allows for a continuous basal rate to deliver a constant amount of medication for pain control.
• D. Monitoring is required every 1 to 2 hours to assess patient response.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the PCA pump can be programmed to deliver a continuous basal rate of pain medication to maintain pain control. While the goal of PCA is effective pain relief, it does not guarantee a pain-free state. In the case of a 5-year-old child, the parents or nurse can administer boluses if necessary since the child may not fully comprehend using the PCA button. Monitoring every 1 to 2 hours for patient response is adequate and there is no need for monitoring every 15 minutes, as stated in choice D, unless specific circumstances dictate more frequent monitoring.

4. The Asian parent of a child being seen in the clinic avoids eye contact with the nurse. What is the best explanation for this considering cultural differences?

• A. The parent feels inferior to the nurse
• B. The parent is showing respect for the nurse
• C. The parent is embarrassed to seek health care
• D. The parent feels responsible for her child's illness

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In many Asian cultures, avoiding eye contact is a sign of respect, especially towards authority figures such as healthcare providers.

5. Which of the following conditions is characterized by a 'machine-like' murmur in children?

• A. Patent ductus arteriosus
• B. Ventricular septal defect
• C. Atrial septal defect
• D. Coarctation of the aorta

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Patent ductus arteriosus. This condition is characterized by a continuous 'machine-like' murmur due to abnormal blood flow between the aorta and pulmonary artery. Ventricular septal defect (choice B) is characterized by a harsh holosystolic murmur, atrial septal defect (choice C) typically presents with a fixed split S2 and a pulmonary flow murmur, and coarctation of the aorta (choice D) is associated with a systolic murmur in the back and bilateral lower extremities.

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