Nursing Elites

1. A child is hospitalized in acute renal failure and has a serum potassium greater than 7 mEq/L. What temporary measures that will produce a rapid but transient effect to reduce the potassium should the nurse expect to be prescribed? (Select all that apply.)

• A. Dialysis
• B. All below
• C. Sodium bicarbonate
• D. Glucose 50% and insulin

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Calcium gluconate, sodium bicarbonate, and glucose with insulin are used as temporary measures to rapidly reduce serum potassium levels. They help shift potassium into cells and stabilize the heart but do not remove potassium from the body like dialysis does.

2. Following treatment for iron deficiency anemia, the physician orders lab tests. Which lab value would indicate an improvement in the child’s condition?

• A. Low hemoglobin
• B. Normal platelet count
• C. High reticulocyte count
• D. Low hematocrit

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A high reticulocyte count indicates that the bone marrow is producing more red blood cells, which is a sign of recovery from anemia as the body replenishes its iron stores and increases hemoglobin levels. Low hemoglobin (Choice A) would indicate ongoing anemia rather than improvement. A normal platelet count (Choice B) and low hematocrit (Choice D) are not specific indicators of improvement in iron deficiency anemia.

3. The nurse is caring for a 1-month-old infant diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s disease. Which treatment measure should be included in the plan of care?

• A. Barium Enema
• B. Surgical removal of the affected section of bowel
• C. High-fiber diet
• D. Permanent colostomy

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Surgical removal of the affected section of bowel. Hirschsprung's disease is a congenital condition where a portion of the large intestine lacks nerve cells, leading to difficulties in passing stool. The definitive treatment for this condition is the surgical removal of the affected section of the bowel. Barium enema (Choice A) may be used for diagnosis but is not a treatment. A high-fiber diet (Choice C) is not effective in managing Hirschsprung's disease. A permanent colostomy (Choice D) is not the initial treatment for this condition in infants.

4. A child is admitted to the hospital with acute renal failure. The parents ask about the prognosis for acute renal failure. The nurse’s response should be based on which statement about acute renal failure?

• A. Children with acute renal failure will have to take prophylactic antibiotics for life.
• B. Acute renal failure always leads to chronic renal failure.
• C. Acute renal failure may be reversible.
• D. All children with acute renal failure will eventually need a kidney transplant.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Acute renal failure in children is often reversible, especially when the underlying cause is identified and treated promptly. It does not always lead to chronic renal failure or the need for a kidney transplant. Choice A is incorrect as prophylactic antibiotics for life are not a standard treatment for acute renal failure. Choice B is incorrect as acute renal failure does not always progress to chronic renal failure. Choice D is incorrect as not all children with acute renal failure will eventually require a kidney transplant.

5. When assessing a child with leukemia, which clinical manifestations should the nurse anticipate?

• A. Petechiae, fever, fatigue
• B. Headache, papilledema, irritability
• C. Muscle wasting, weight loss, fatigue
• D. Decreased intracranial pressure, psychosis, confusion

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Petechiae, fever, fatigue. Children with leukemia commonly present with petechiae (due to low platelet count), fever (due to infection), and fatigue (due to anemia), which are classic manifestations of the disease. Option B is incorrect because headache, papilledema, and irritability are more indicative of increased intracranial pressure, not leukemia. Option C is incorrect as muscle wasting and weight loss are not typical initial manifestations of leukemia in children. Option D is incorrect as decreased intracranial pressure, psychosis, and confusion are not commonly associated with leukemia.

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