Nursing Elites

1. A home care nurse is visiting a family for the first time. The 4-week-old infant had surgery for exstrophy of the bladder and creation of an ileal conduit soon after birth. When the nurse arrives, the mother appears tired, and the baby is crying. After an introduction, which is the most appropriate statement by the nurse?

• A. “Tell me about your daily routine.”
• B. “You look tired. Is everything alright?”
• C. “When was the last time the baby had a bottle?”
• D. “Oh, it looks like you two are having a bad day.”

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Asking about the daily routine is the most appropriate statement by the nurse in this scenario. It allows the nurse to gather important information about the family's schedule, feeding patterns, and overall care routine for the infant. This open-ended question helps the nurse assess the family's situation comprehensively and identify any areas where support may be needed. Choices B, C, and D are less appropriate as they do not focus on gathering relevant information about the family's routine and needs but rather make assumptions or ask about specific isolated events.

2. The parents of a child who is scheduled for open-heart surgery ask why their child must be subjected to chest tubes after surgery. What should the nurse consider before responding in language the parents will understand?

• A. They will increase tidal volumes.
• B. Drainage of air and fluid will be facilitated.
• C. They will maintain positive intrapleural pressure.
• D. Pressure on the pericardium and chest wall will be regulated.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Chest tubes are used to drain air and fluid from the chest cavity to prevent complications such as pneumothorax or cardiac tamponade after surgery. Choice A is incorrect as chest tubes are not used to increase tidal volumes. Choice C is incorrect as chest tubes do not maintain positive intrapleural pressure; instead, they assist in removing excess air or fluid. Choice D is incorrect as chest tubes do not regulate pressure on the pericardium and chest wall; they primarily aid in drainage.

3. After instituting ordered measures to reduce the fever in a 3-year-old with fever and vomiting, what nursing action is most important for the nurse in the emergency department to take?

• A. Preventing shivering
• B. Restricting oral fluids
• C. Measuring output hourly
• D. Taking vital signs hourly

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Preventing shivering is crucial in this situation as it can increase the body temperature and counteract the effects of antipyretic measures aimed at reducing the fever. Shivering generates heat, potentially worsening the fever. Restricting oral fluids (Choice B) is not appropriate as fluid intake is important to prevent dehydration, especially in a child who has been vomiting. Measuring output hourly (Choice C) and taking vital signs hourly (Choice D) are important nursing actions but not as critical as preventing shivering in this scenario. Therefore, the most important nursing action is to prevent shivering to aid in fever reduction and management.

4. A child with a diagnosis of leukemia is receiving chemotherapy. What is the most important nursing intervention?

• A. Monitor for signs of infection
• B. Monitor for signs of bleeding
• C. Monitor for signs of dehydration
• D. Monitor for signs of pain

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most important nursing intervention for a child with leukemia receiving chemotherapy is to monitor for signs of infection. Chemotherapy suppresses the immune system, putting the child at a higher risk of developing infections. Early detection and prompt treatment of infections are crucial to prevent complications and improve outcomes. Monitoring for signs of bleeding (choice B), dehydration (choice C), and pain (choice D) are also important aspects of care, but in this scenario, the priority is to prevent and manage infections due to the compromised immune system.

5. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory report of a child with tetralogy of Fallot that indicates an elevated RBC count. What does the nurse identify as the cause of the polycythemia?

• A. Low tissue oxygen needs
• B. Tissue oxygen needs
• C. Diminished iron levels
• D. Hypertrophic cardiac muscle

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Tissue oxygen needs. Polycythemia occurs in response to chronic hypoxia, leading the body to increase red blood cell production to enhance oxygen delivery. In tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart defect that results in reduced oxygen levels in the blood, the body compensates by producing more red blood cells. Choice A is incorrect as low tissue oxygen needs would not trigger polycythemia. Choice C, diminished iron levels, is not the cause of polycythemia in this case. Choice D, hypertrophic cardiac muscle, is unrelated to the pathophysiology of polycythemia in tetralogy of Fallot.

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