Nursing Elites

1. A female child, age 2, is brought to the emergency department after ingesting an unknown number of aspirin tablets about 30 minutes earlier. Her father is blaming the mother for neglecting the child while she was cooking. On entering the examination room, the child is crying and clinging to the mother. Which data should the nurse obtain first?

• A. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure
• B. Recent exposure to communicable diseases
• C. Number of immunizations received
• D. Height and weight

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the priority is to assess the child's vital signs first, including heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. These data will provide critical information on the child's current physiological status and guide further interventions. Option B, recent exposure to communicable diseases, is not the priority in an acute ingestion situation. Option C, number of immunizations received, and option D, height and weight, are important but not as critical as assessing vital signs in this immediate situation.

2. During the initial assessment of the newborn, which of the following data would be considered normal?

• A. Chest circumference 31.5 cm, head circumference 33.5 cm
• B. Chest circumference 30 cm, head circumference 29 cm
• C. Chest circumference 38 cm, head circumference 31.5 cm
• D. Chest circumference 32.5 cm, head circumference 36 cm

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. During the initial assessment of a newborn, the average head circumference at birth is 32 to 37 cm, while the average chest circumference ranges from 30 to 35 cm. Normally, the head's circumference is about 2 cm greater than the chest circumference at birth. Choice A provides measurements of chest circumference 31.5 cm and head circumference 33.5 cm, both falling within the normal range in terms of actual size and relative size. Choices B, C, and D do not align with the typical measurements seen in a healthy newborn. Choice B has both circumferences below the average range, choice C has the chest circumference above the average, and choice D has the head circumference notably higher than the chest circumference, which is not typical for a newborn.

3. Kobby, who is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 1, displays symptoms of hypoglycemia; which of the following actions should the nurse instruct the parents to take?

• A. Give the child honey (simple sugar)
• B. Give the child milk (complex sugar)
• C. Contact the healthcare provider before doing anything
• D. Give the child nothing by mouth

Correct answer: A

Rationale: During hypoglycemia, it is crucial to quickly raise blood glucose levels. Giving a simple sugar like honey is recommended as it can rapidly increase blood sugar levels and alleviate the symptoms of hypoglycemia in individuals with diabetes mellitus type 1. Milk, being a complex sugar, will not act as quickly as honey in raising blood sugar levels. Contacting the healthcare provider may lead to a delay in treatment, as immediate action is necessary during hypoglycemia. Withholding food or drink (choice D) is not appropriate when dealing with hypoglycemia as it can worsen the condition.

4. When a father asks why his child with tetralogy of Fallot seems to favor a squatting position, the nurse would explain that squatting:

• A. Increases peripheral vascular resistance
• B. Decreases arterial blood flow away from the heart
• C. It's a common resting position when a child is tachycardic
• D. Increases the workload of the heart

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Squatting increases systemic vascular resistance, which leads to a reduction in the right-to-left shunting of blood in children with tetralogy of Fallot. This helps improve oxygenation by balancing the pulmonary and systemic blood flow. The squatting position decreases the pressure in the right ventricle and reduces the magnitude of the right-to-left shunt by increasing afterload, thereby improving oxygenation. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because squatting does not decrease arterial blood flow away from the heart, is not related to being tachycardic, and does not increase the workload of the heart.

5. The student nurse has performed a gestational age assessment of an infant and finds the infant to be at 32 weeks. On which set of characteristics is the nurse basing this assessment?

• A. Lanugo mostly gone, little vernix remaining on the body
• B. Prominent clitoris, enlarging labia minora, patent anus
• C. Full areola, 5 to 10 mm nipple bud, pinkish-brown areola
• D. Skin opaque, cracking at wrists and ankles, no visible vessels

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. At 30 to 32 weeks' gestation, the clitoris is prominent, and the labia minora are enlarging. The labia majora are small and widely separated. As gestational age increases, the labia majora increase in size. At 36 to 40 weeks, they almost cover the clitoris. At 40 weeks and beyond, the labia majora cover the labia minora and clitoris. Choices A, C, and D do not align with the characteristic features seen at 32 weeks of gestation, making them incorrect.

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