Nursing Elites

1. A child sitting on a chair in a playroom starts to have a tonic-clonic seizure with a clenched jaw. What is the nurse’s best initial action?

• A. Attempt to open the jaw.
• B. Place the child on the floor.
• C. Call out for assistance from staff.
• D. Place a pillow under the child’s head.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The best initial action during a tonic-clonic seizure is to place the child on the floor. This action helps prevent injury by providing a safe environment and allows for better management of the seizure episode. Attempting to open the jaw is not recommended as it may cause harm to the child or the nurse. Calling out for assistance is important but should not delay ensuring the child's safety first. Placing a pillow under the child's head is not advisable during a seizure as it can pose a risk of suffocation or choking.

2. A 3-year-old child with a history of frequent respiratory infections is being evaluated for cystic fibrosis. What diagnostic test should the nurse anticipate will be ordered?

• A. Chest X-ray
• B. Sweat chloride test
• C. Pulmonary function test
• D. Sputum culture

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is the sweat chloride test. This test is crucial in diagnosing cystic fibrosis as it measures the amount of chloride in sweat, which is typically elevated in individuals with cystic fibrosis. A chest X-ray (Choice A) may show characteristic findings like hyperinflation or bronchiectasis, but it is not a definitive diagnostic test for cystic fibrosis. Pulmonary function tests (Choice C) may help assess lung function but are not specific for cystic fibrosis. Sputum culture (Choice D) may be used to identify specific pathogens causing respiratory infections but is not a primary diagnostic test for cystic fibrosis.

3. A healthcare professional plans to discuss childhood nutrition with a group of parents whose children have Down syndrome in an attempt to minimize a common nutritional problem. What problem should be addressed?

• A. Rickets
• B. Obesity
• C. Anemia
• D. Rumination

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Childhood obesity is a prevalent issue in children with Down syndrome due to factors such as decreased physical activity, slower metabolism, and potential overeating tendencies. Addressing obesity is crucial to promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing associated health complications. Rickets, a condition caused by a deficiency of vitamin D, is not commonly associated with Down syndrome. While anemia can occur in individuals with Down syndrome, obesity is a more common concern. Rumination, the regurgitation of food without nausea, is not a typical nutritional problem in children with Down syndrome.

4. A parent arrives in the emergency clinic with a 3-month-old baby who says, “My baby stopped breathing for a while.” The infant continues to have difficulty breathing, with prolonged periods of apnea. Which assessment data should alert the nurse to suspect shaken baby syndrome (SBS)?

• A. Birth occurred before 32 weeks’ gestation
• B. Lack of stridor and adventitious breath sounds
• C. Previous episodes of apnea lasting 10 to 15 seconds
• D. Retractions and use of accessory respiratory muscles

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Retractions and the use of accessory respiratory muscles can be signs of respiratory distress, which may indicate trauma such as shaken baby syndrome (SBS). Shaken baby syndrome can result in brain injury and respiratory compromise, leading to breathing difficulties. Choices A, B, and C are less likely to be associated with SBS. Birth before 32 weeks’ gestation is more related to prematurity rather than SBS. The lack of stridor and adventitious breath sounds, as well as previous episodes of apnea lasting 10 to 15 seconds, are not specific indicators of SBS.

5. Seizures in children most often result from

• A. an abrupt rise in body temperature
• B. an inflammatory process in the brain
• C. a temperature greater than 102°F
• D. a life-threatening infection

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Seizures in children most often result from an abrupt rise in body temperature, leading to febrile seizures. Febrile seizures are common in young children and are typically triggered by a rapid increase in body temperature, often due to infections or other causes. An inflammatory process in the brain (Choice B) is less common as a cause of seizures in children and is usually associated with specific conditions like encephalitis or meningitis. While a temperature greater than 102°F (Choice C) may trigger a febrile seizure, it is the abrupt rise in temperature that is the primary cause. Choice D, a life-threatening infection, is a broad and less specific cause compared to the direct trigger of an abrupt rise in body temperature.

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