Nursing Elites

1. A child with acute gastrointestinal bleeding is admitted to the hospital. The nurse observes which sign or symptom as an early manifestation of shock?

• A. Restlessness
• B. Rapid capillary refill
• C. Increased temperature
• D. Increased blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Restlessness is an early sign of shock due to decreased perfusion and oxygenation to the brain. This symptom requires immediate attention to prevent the progression to more severe stages of shock. Rapid capillary refill (Choice B) is not typically an early sign of shock but rather a sign of adequate perfusion. Increased temperature (Choice C) may occur in later stages of shock due to the body's response to stress. Increased blood pressure (Choice D) is not an early sign of shock; in fact, blood pressure tends to decrease in shock as a compensatory mechanism.

2. What is a key distinguishing feature of bronchiolitis in infants?

• A. Dry cough
• B. Wheezing
• C. Stridor
• D. Productive cough

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Wheezing. Wheezing is a key distinguishing feature of bronchiolitis in infants, typically caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Bronchiolitis is characterized by inflammation and mucus buildup in the small airways of the lungs, leading to wheezing sounds during breathing. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because dry cough, stridor, and productive cough are not typical features of bronchiolitis in infants.

3. A child with pyloric stenosis is having excessive vomiting. The nurse should assess for what potential complication?

• A. Hyperkalemia
• B. Hyperchloremia
• C. Metabolic acidosis
• D. Metabolic alkalosis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Excessive vomiting in pyloric stenosis leads to the loss of stomach acid (hydrochloric acid), resulting in metabolic alkalosis, not hyperkalemia, hyperchloremia, or metabolic acidosis. Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by a higher pH level in the blood due to the loss of acid and a relative increase in bicarbonate. Hyperkalemia is an elevated level of potassium in the blood and is not directly related to excessive vomiting in pyloric stenosis. Hyperchloremia is an excess of chloride in the blood, which is not typically associated with this condition. Metabolic acidosis is a condition characterized by a lower pH level in the blood, caused by an excess of acid or a loss of bicarbonate, which is not the typical complication seen in pyloric stenosis with excessive vomiting.

4. A 3-year-old child, previously potty-trained, becomes a bed-wetter again during a hospital stay. Which explanation should the nurse provide to the parents?

• A. “Your child is no longer potty-trained and will need to be retrained when she goes home.”
• B. “The child may have developed a bladder infection in the hospital. I will notify the doctor.”
• C. “Preschool children may regress in their behaviors when they are ill in the hospital but should return to normal when they go back home.”
• D. “Don’t worry about it, she is fine.”

Correct answer: C

Rationale: During a hospital stay, preschool children may exhibit regression in behaviors such as bed-wetting due to stress. It is important for parents to understand that this behavior is a common response to the hospital environment and should resolve once the child is back home. Therefore, the correct explanation for the nurse to provide to the parents is choice C. Choice A is incorrect because it inaccurately states that the child is no longer potty-trained. Choice B is incorrect as it assumes a medical issue without evidence. Choice D is incorrect as it dismisses the parents' concerns without addressing the underlying cause of the behavior.

5. An infant with hydrocephalus is hospitalized for surgical placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Postoperative nursing care would include what?

• A. Monitor closely for signs of infection.
• B. Place the child with the operative side of the head up.
• C. Avoid pumping the shunt reservoir to maintain patency.
• D. Avoid maintaining a Trendelenburg position to decrease pressure on the shunt.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Postoperative nursing care for an infant with hydrocephalus who underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement includes monitoring closely for signs of infection, as infection is the greatest hazard in the postoperative period. Signs of cerebrospinal fluid infection to watch for include elevated temperature, poor feeding, vomiting, decreased responsiveness, and seizure activity. The child should be placed with the operative side of the head up to reduce pressure on the valve. The shunt reservoir should not be pumped to maintain patency, as this can disrupt its function. Maintaining a Trendelenburg position to decrease pressure on the shunt is contraindicated as it can lead to increased intracranial pressure and compromise the shunt's effectiveness.

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