Nursing Elites

1. What intervention should the nurse implement first for a male toddler brought to the emergency center approximately three hours after swallowing tablets from his grandmother's bottle of digoxin (Lanoxin)?

• A. Administer activated charcoal
• B. Prepare gastric lavage
• C. Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram
• D. Give IV digoxin immune fab (Digibind)

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering activated charcoal is the priority intervention as it binds with digoxin, preventing further absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. This helps reduce the amount of digoxin available for systemic circulation and minimizes its toxic effects. Gastric lavage is no longer recommended due to potential complications and lack of evidence of efficacy. Obtaining an electrocardiogram may help assess the effects of digoxin toxicity, but it is not the initial priority. IV digoxin immune fab (Digibind) is used in severe cases of digoxin toxicity but is not the first-line intervention.

2. The nurse provides information about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to the mother of a 14-year-old adolescent who came to the clinic this morning complaining of menstrual cramping. Which explanation should the nurse provide to support administering the HPV vaccine to the adolescent at this visit?

• A. Use of protective barriers during sexual activity prevents most strains of HPV infection
• B. Most adolescents are not honest about being sexually active
• C. Not all strains of HPV will be covered if given at a later date
• D. Immunity must be established to prevent future HPV infection and the risk for cervical cancer

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Administering the HPV vaccine at this visit is essential to establish immunity against HPV, thus reducing the risk of HPV infection and cervical cancer. Vaccination is a proactive measure to protect the adolescent's health in the future. Choice A is incorrect because although protective barriers can reduce the risk of HPV transmission, the vaccine provides broader protection. Choice B is incorrect as it makes a generalization about adolescent behavior that is not relevant to vaccination. Choice C is incorrect as it suggests that delaying vaccination would not impact coverage, which is inaccurate as earlier vaccination provides broader protection against HPV strains.

3. The nurse is measuring the frontal occipital circumference (FOC) of a 3-month-old infant and notes that the FOC has increased by 5 inches since birth, and the child's head appears large in relation to body size. Which action is most important for the nurse to take next?

• A. Measure the infant's head-to-toe length.
• B. Palpate the anterior fontanel for tension and bulging.
• C. Observe the infant for sunken eyes.
• D. Plot the measurement on the infant's growth chart.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Palpating the anterior fontanel for tension and bulging is crucial in assessing for increased intracranial pressure. In this scenario, the infant's large head size and rapid increase in the frontal occipital circumference raise concerns for potential issues such as hydrocephalus. Measuring the head-to-toe length (Choice A) is not the priority when assessing for increased intracranial pressure. Observing for sunken eyes (Choice C) is more indicative of dehydration rather than increased intracranial pressure. While plotting the measurement on the infant's growth chart (Choice D) is important for tracking growth, it does not address the immediate concern of assessing for increased intracranial pressure.

4. A 6-year-old boy with bronchial asthma takes the beta-adrenergic agonist albuterol (Proventil). The child’s mother tells the nurse that she uses this medication to open her son’s airway when he is having trouble breathing. What is the nurse’s best response?

• A. Recommend that the mother bring the child in for immediate evaluation
• B. Advise the mother that overuse of the drug may cause chronic bronchitis
• C. Assure the mother that she is using the medication correctly
• D. Confirm that the medication helps to reduce airway inflammation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct response is to assure the mother that she is using the medication correctly. Albuterol is a beta-adrenergic agonist that helps open the airways during an asthma attack. By reassuring the mother, the nurse reinforces the correct usage of the medication, which is crucial in managing the child's asthma symptoms effectively. Option A is incorrect because immediate evaluation may not be necessary if the child's symptoms are being managed effectively with albuterol. Option B is incorrect as chronic bronchitis is not typically associated with the overuse of albuterol. Option D is incorrect as albuterol primarily acts as a bronchodilator and does not directly reduce airway inflammation.

5. A child diagnosed with Kawasaki disease is brought to the clinic. The mother reports that her child is irritable, refuses to eat, and has skin peeling on both hands and feet. Which intervention should the nurse instruct the mother to implement first?

• A. Place the child in a quiet environment
• B. Make a list of foods that the child likes
• C. Encourage the parents to rest when possible
• D. Apply lotion to hands and feet

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Creating a quiet environment is the priority intervention as it helps reduce irritability and stress in children with Kawasaki disease. This intervention can promote a soothing atmosphere for the child, which may help in managing their symptoms effectively. Irritability and refusal to eat can be exacerbated by a noisy or stimulating environment. Making a list of foods the child likes is important, but addressing the immediate need for a calm environment takes precedence. Encouraging parents to rest is a good practice but not the immediate intervention needed for the child's symptoms. Applying lotion to hands and feet, although helpful for skin peeling, is not the first priority when dealing with irritability and refusal to eat.

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