Nursing Elites

1. A child with a history of seizures arrives in the emergency department (ED) in status epilepticus. Which is the priority nursing action?

• A. Take vital signs.
• B. Establish an intravenous line.
• C. Perform rapid neurologic assessment.
• D. Maintain a patent airway.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When a child with a history of seizures presents in status epilepticus, the priority nursing action is to maintain a patent airway. This is crucial to ensure proper oxygenation and ventilation. While taking vital signs, establishing an intravenous line, and performing rapid neurologic assessment are important, maintaining a patent airway takes precedence. Hypoxia can lead to serious complications, making airway management the top priority to ensure the child's safety and prevent further deterioration.

2. When teaching a parent of a child with contact dermatitis, which instruction should the nurse include?

• A. Apply a thick layer of antibiotic ointment to the affected area.
• B. Rub the skin vigorously with a towel to dry it.
• C. Keep the child's skin dry.
• D. Apply a thin layer of corticosteroid cream to the affected area.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct instruction for a child with contact dermatitis is to apply a thin layer of corticosteroid cream to the affected area. Corticosteroid cream helps reduce inflammation and itching associated with contact dermatitis. It is important to avoid using antibiotic ointment or rubbing the skin vigorously, as these can worsen the condition. Keeping the child's skin dry is generally a good practice, but in the case of contact dermatitis, corticosteroid cream application is more beneficial.

3. Which urinalysis result should the nurse anticipate for a child admitted with acute glomerulonephritis?

• A. Bacteriuria and increased specific gravity
• B. Hematuria and proteinuria
• C. Proteinuria and decreased specific gravity
• D. Bacteriuria and hematuria

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In acute glomerulonephritis, the glomeruli become inflamed, leading to the leakage of red blood cells (hematuria) and proteins (proteinuria) into the urine. These are hallmark findings in this condition due to the damage to the glomerular filtration barrier. Bacteriuria, the presence of bacteria in the urine, is not typically associated with acute glomerulonephritis unless there is a concurrent urinary tract infection. Specific gravity may be normal or decreased due to the loss of proteins in the urine, rather than increased. Therefore, the correct anticipated urinalysis result for a child with acute glomerulonephritis is hematuria and proteinuria.

4. In the management of heart failure, which diuretic is preferred due to its demonstrated significant mortality reduction in patients with heart failure?

• A. Furosemide (Lasix)
• B. Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
• C. Spironolactone (Aldactone)
• D. Mannitol (Osmitrol)

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic, is the preferred choice in heart failure due to its cardio-protective effect, leading to reduced mortality in patients with heart failure. It is used to manage both hypertension and edema, making it a valuable option in heart failure treatment.

5. A healthcare professional is preparing to collect a sample from a toddler for a sickle turbidity test. Which of the following actions should the healthcare professional plan to take?

• A. Obtain a sputum specimen
• B. Perform an Allen test
• C. Perform a finger stick
• D. Obtain a stool specimen

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The healthcare professional should perform a finger stick on a toddler as a component of the sickle turbidity test. If the test is positive, hemoglobin electrophoresis is required to distinguish between children who have the genetic trait and children who have the disease. Finger stick is a common method used to collect blood samples, especially in pediatric patients, for various tests.

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