Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. The mother of a 6-month-old infant has returned to work and is expressing breast milk to be frozen. She asks for directions on how to safely thaw the breast milk in the microwave. What should the nurse recommend?

• A. Heat only 10 oz or more.
• B. Do not thaw or heat breast milk in a microwave oven.
• C. Always leave the bottle top uncovered to allow heat to escape.
• D. Shake the bottle vigorously for at least 30 seconds after heating.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Thawing or heating breast milk in a microwave is not recommended because it can create hot spots that may burn the infant and destroy essential nutrients.

3. Which heart sound is produced by vibrations within the heart chambers or in the major arteries from the back-and-forth flow of blood?

• A. S1 and S2
• B. S3 and S4
• C. Murmur
• D. Physiologic splitting

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A murmur is produced by turbulent blood flow within the heart or major arteries, resulting in audible vibrations.

4. A 5-year-old has patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for pain management after abdominal surgery. What information does the nurse include in teaching the parents about the PCA?

• A. The child may not be pain-free.
• B. The parents or nurse may push the button for a bolus if needed.
• C. The pump allows for a continuous basal rate to deliver a constant amount of medication for pain control.
• D. Monitoring is required every 1 to 2 hours to assess patient response.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the PCA pump can be programmed to deliver a continuous basal rate of pain medication to maintain pain control. While the goal of PCA is effective pain relief, it does not guarantee a pain-free state. In the case of a 5-year-old child, the parents or nurse can administer boluses if necessary since the child may not fully comprehend using the PCA button. Monitoring every 1 to 2 hours for patient response is adequate and there is no need for monitoring every 15 minutes, as stated in choice D, unless specific circumstances dictate more frequent monitoring.

5. A parent of a school-age child tells the school nurse that the parents are going through a divorce. The child has not been doing well in school and sometimes has trouble sleeping. The nurse should recognize this as what?

• A. Indicative of maladjustment
• B. A common reaction to divorce
• C. Suggestive of a lack of adequate parenting
• D. An unusual response that indicates a need for referral

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Poor academic performance and sleep disturbances are common reactions in children going through their parents' divorce, reflecting stress and adjustment challenges.

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