Nursing Elites

1. A mother brings her 2-year-old son to the clinic because he has been crying and pulling on his earlobe for the past 12 hours. The child’s oral temperature is 101.2°F. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

• A. Ask the mother if the child has had a runny nose
• B. Cleanse purulent exudate from the affected ear canal
• C. Apply a topical antibiotic to the periauricle area
• D. Provide parent education to prevent recurrence

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a child with ear pain and fever, asking about a runny nose is important to assess if the ear pain is associated with a respiratory infection, such as otitis media. This information can guide further assessment and treatment decisions. Choice B is incorrect because cleansing purulent exudate should be done by a healthcare provider, not the nurse. Choice C is incorrect as topical antibiotics should only be applied under healthcare provider's orders. Choice D is not the priority at this moment, as the immediate concern is assessing the association between the ear pain and a possible respiratory infection.

2. When teaching parents of a 5-year-old child with sickle cell anemia about pain management, what information should be included?

• A. Apply cold compresses to painful areas.
• B. Encourage the child to rest as much as possible.
• C. Administer prescribed pain medication at the first sign of pain.
• D. Offer a high-protein diet to help with pain management.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Administering prescribed pain medication at the first sign of pain is crucial in managing sickle cell anemia-related pain effectively. Prompt administration helps prevent the pain from escalating and becoming severe, enhancing the child's comfort and quality of life. Cold compresses, rest, and diet modifications may play supportive roles but are not as directly impactful in addressing acute pain episodes associated with sickle cell anemia. Therefore, while comforting measures like cold compresses and rest are helpful, they should not replace the importance of timely administration of prescribed pain medication. Additionally, offering a high-protein diet, although important for overall health, is not directly linked to managing acute pain in sickle cell anemia.

3. A 16-year-old female student with a history of asthma controlled with both an oral antihistamine and an albuterol (Proventil) metered-dose inhaler (MDI) comes to the school nurse. The student complains that she cannot sleep at night, feels shaky and her heart feels like it is 'beating a mile a minute.' Which information is most important for the nurse to obtain?

• A. When she last took the antihistamine.
• B. When her last asthma attack occurred.
• C. Duration of most asthma attacks.
• D. How often the MDI is used daily.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The most important information for the nurse to obtain in this scenario is how often the MDI is used daily. This is crucial to assess if the symptoms the student is experiencing, such as insomnia, shakiness, and tachycardia, could be related to overuse of the inhaler. Overuse of albuterol can lead to side effects like tremors, palpitations, and difficulty sleeping, so understanding the frequency of MDI use is key in determining a potential cause for the student's symptoms. Options A, B, and C are not as pertinent in this situation as they do not directly address the possible link between the student's symptoms and the use of the albuterol MDI.

4. The healthcare provider is evaluating the effects of thyroid therapy used to treat a 5-month-old with hypothyroidism. Which behavior indicates that the treatment has been effective?

• A. Laughs readily, turns from back to side.
• B. Has strong Moro and tonic neck reflexes.
• C. Keeps fists clenched, opens hands when grasping an object.
• D. Can lift head but not chest when lying on abdomen.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In infants, laughing readily and turning from back to side are developmental milestones that indicate effective thyroid therapy and normal development. These actions demonstrate improved muscle tone, coordination, and overall growth, which are key indicators of successful treatment for hypothyroidism in infants. Choices B, C, and D describe behaviors that are not specific indicators of thyroid therapy effectiveness in treating hypothyroidism in infants.

5. The parents of a 15-month-old boy tell the nurse that they are concerned because their son brings his spoon to his mouth but does not turn it over. What action should the nurse implement first?

• A. Discuss the possibility of a referral to a specialist
• B. Question the parents about their concern
• C. Advise the parents on proper spoon handling techniques for the child
• D. Recommend extending mealtimes to allow the child to finish eating

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The initial action for the nurse is to question the parents about their concerns. By doing so, the nurse can gather more information to understand the situation better. This helps in determining if the child's behavior is within normal development or if further action or referrals are necessary. Choice A is incorrect as it jumps to a specialist referral without fully assessing the situation first. Choice C is also incorrect because assuming the parents need advice on proper spoon handling techniques may not be the case. Choice D is incorrect as it does not address the core concern raised by the parents.

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