Nursing Elites

1. A child with a diagnosis of gastroenteritis is admitted to the hospital. What is the priority nursing intervention?

• A. Monitoring fluid and electrolyte balance
• B. Encouraging regular exercise
• C. Administering antipyretics
• D. Administering antibiotics

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is monitoring fluid and electrolyte balance. Gastroenteritis is characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to fluid loss. Maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance is essential in managing gastroenteritis to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Encouraging regular exercise (Choice B) is not a priority in the acute phase of gastroenteritis when the focus is on rehydration and symptom management. Administering antipyretics (Choice C) may be considered for fever management but is not the priority over monitoring fluid and electrolyte balance. Administering antibiotics (Choice D) is not routinely indicated for viral gastroenteritis, which is a common cause of the condition in children.

2. What is important to include in discharge instructions for a child who has had a tonsillectomy?

• A. Encourage the child to gargle with salt water
• B. Encourage fluid intake
• C. Provide the child with hard candy
• D. Apply heat to the neck

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Encouraging fluid intake is essential post-tonsillectomy to keep the throat moist, aid in healing, and prevent dehydration. Gargling with salt water may irritate the surgical site and is typically avoided to prevent discomfort and irritation. Providing hard candy can be harmful as it may cause trauma to the surgical area and should be avoided to prevent injury. Applying heat to the neck is not recommended as it can increase swelling and discomfort in the surgical region. Therefore, the correct instruction is to encourage fluid intake.

3. Based on developmental norms for a 5-year-old child, at what apical pulse did the nurse decide to withhold a scheduled dose of digoxin (Lanoxin) elixir and notify the health care provider?

• A. 60 beats/min
• B. 70 beats/min
• C. 90 beats/min
• D. 100 beats/min

Correct answer: C

Rationale: For a 5-year-old child, an apical pulse below 90 beats/min is a reason to withhold digoxin. Digoxin is a medication commonly used to treat heart conditions, and its administration is based on heart rate parameters. A pulse rate below 90 beats/min indicates bradycardia. In pediatric patients, bradycardia below this threshold may be a sign of toxicity or potential adverse effects of digoxin, necessitating withholding the medication and informing the healthcare provider. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they represent pulse rates above the threshold for withholding digoxin in a 5-year-old child.

4. A parent brings a 2-month-old infant with Down syndrome to the pediatric clinic for a physical and administration of immunizations. Which clinical finding should alert the nurse to perform a further assessment?

• A. Flat occiput
• B. Small, low-set ears
• C. Circumoral cyanosis
• D. Protruding furrowed tongue

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Circumoral cyanosis should alert the nurse to perform further assessment in a 2-month-old infant with Down syndrome. This finding may indicate cardiac or respiratory issues, such as inadequate oxygenation. Small, low-set ears and a protruding furrowed tongue are common physical characteristics associated with Down syndrome and may not necessarily warrant immediate further assessment. A flat occiput is a normal variation in infant anatomy and is not typically a cause for immediate concern in this context.

5. The nurse volunteering at a homeless shelter to assist families with children identifies homelessness as a risk preventing families from achieving positive outcomes in life. What family theory encompasses this approach to assessing family dynamics?

• A. Duvall's developmental theory
• B. Friedman's structural functional theory
• C. Von Bertalanffy's general system theory applied to families
• D. Resiliency model of family stress, adjustment, and adaptation

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The Resiliency model of family stress, adjustment, and adaptation focuses on identifying the elements of risks and protective factors that help families achieve positive outcomes. In this scenario, the nurse recognizing homelessness as a risk aligns with the resiliency model, which emphasizes how families cope and adapt in the face of stressors. Duvall's theory primarily focuses on family life cycle stages, Friedman's theory emphasizes the roles and functions within a family structure, and Von Bertalanffy's theory looks at families as complex systems rather than specifically addressing resilience in the face of stressors.

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