Nursing Elites

1. A child with sickle cell anemia develops severe chest pain, fever, a cough, and dyspnea. The nurse's first action is to

• A. administer 100% oxygen to relieve hypoxia
• B. administer pain medication to relieve symptoms
• C. notify the practitioner because chest syndrome is suspected
• D. notify the practitioner because the child may be having a stroke

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a child with sickle cell anemia experiencing severe chest pain, fever, cough, and dyspnea, the priority action is to suspect acute chest syndrome, a life-threatening complication. The nurse's first action should be to notify the practitioner for immediate evaluation and intervention. Administering 100% oxygen (Choice A) may be necessary later but is not the initial priority. Administering pain medication (Choice B) should not precede notifying the practitioner, as addressing the underlying cause is crucial. The symptoms described are more indicative of acute chest syndrome than a stroke, so notifying the practitioner for chest syndrome (Choice C) takes precedence over suspecting a stroke (Choice D).

2. After a cardiac catheterization, what is the priority nursing care for a 3-year-old child?

• A. Encouraging early ambulation
• B. Monitoring the site for bleeding
• C. Restricting fluids until the blood pressure is stabilized
• D. Comparing the blood pressure of both lower extremities

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The priority nursing care after a cardiac catheterization in a 3-year-old is to monitor the site for bleeding. This is essential to promptly detect and manage any potential complications, such as hematoma or hemorrhage. Encouraging early ambulation, as mentioned in choice A, may not be safe immediately post-procedure and should be guided by the healthcare provider's instructions. Restricting fluids until blood pressure is stabilized, as in choice C, is not typically necessary after a cardiac catheterization. Comparing blood pressure in both lower extremities, as in choice D, is not the priority immediate nursing care following this procedure.

3. Parents of a sick infant talk with a nurse about their baby. One parent says, “I am so upset; I didn’t realize our baby was ill.” What major indication of illness in an infant should the nurse explain to the parent?

• A. Grunting respirations
• B. Excessive perspiration
• C. Longer periods of sleep
• D. Crying immediately after feedings

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Longer periods of sleep than usual can be a sign of illness in infants. When an infant sleeps more than usual, it may indicate that the baby is conserving energy due to an underlying condition. Grunting respirations (choice A) can be a sign of respiratory distress, excessive perspiration (choice B) may indicate overheating or fever, and crying immediately after feedings (choice D) can be a sign of gastrointestinal discomfort, such as colic or reflux. However, in this scenario, the emphasis is on changes in sleep patterns as a potential indicator of illness.

4. While performing a visual inspection of a 30-year-old woman in active labor, you can see the umbilical cord at the vaginal opening. After providing high concentration oxygen, you should next

• A. massage the uterus to facilitate delivery of the fetus
• B. relieve pressure from the cord with your gloved fingers
• C. place the mother on her left side and provide rapid transport
• D. elevate the mother's lower extremities and provide immediate transport

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In the scenario described, when the umbilical cord is visible at the vaginal opening, the priority is to relieve pressure from the cord with gloved fingers. This action helps prevent cord compression and ensures continued oxygenation to the fetus, which is crucial for the baby's well-being. Massaging the uterus or elevating the mother's lower extremities is not the correct course of action in this situation and may potentially worsen the condition. Placing the mother on her left side and providing rapid transport is not the immediate step needed to address the visible umbilical cord; relieving pressure from the cord takes precedence to maintain fetal oxygen supply.

5. A young child has coarctation of the aorta. What does the nurse expect to identify when taking the child’s vital signs?

• A. A weak radial pulse
• B. An irregular heartbeat
• C. A bounding femoral pulse
• D. An elevated radial blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In coarctation of the aorta, there is narrowing of the aorta leading to decreased blood flow distal to the constriction. This results in a weak or delayed femoral pulse and a relatively weaker radial pulse compared to the femoral pulse. An irregular heartbeat (choice B) is not a typical finding in coarctation of the aorta. A bounding femoral pulse (choice C) would not be expected due to the decreased blood flow beyond the constriction. An elevated radial blood pressure (choice D) is not a common characteristic of coarctation of the aorta; instead, blood pressure may be higher in the upper extremities compared to the lower extremities due to the constriction.

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