Nursing Elites

1. A mother has just given birth to a newborn with a cleft lip. Sensing that something is wrong, she starts to cry and asks the nurse, "What is wrong with my baby?" What is the most appropriate nursing action?

• A. Encourage the mother to express her feelings
• B. Explain in simple language that the baby has a cleft lip
• C. Provide emotional support until the practitioner can talk to the mother
• D. Tell the mother a pediatrician will talk to her as soon as the baby is examined

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Encouraging the mother to express her feelings allows her to process the situation and prepares her for receiving further information in a supportive environment.

2. A child with pyloric stenosis is having excessive vomiting. The nurse should assess for what potential complication?

• A. Hyperkalemia
• B. Hyperchloremia
• C. Metabolic acidosis
• D. Metabolic alkalosis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Excessive vomiting in pyloric stenosis leads to the loss of stomach acid (hydrochloric acid), resulting in metabolic alkalosis, not hyperkalemia, hyperchloremia, or metabolic acidosis. Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by a higher pH level in the blood due to the loss of acid and a relative increase in bicarbonate. Hyperkalemia is an elevated level of potassium in the blood and is not directly related to excessive vomiting in pyloric stenosis. Hyperchloremia is an excess of chloride in the blood, which is not typically associated with this condition. Metabolic acidosis is a condition characterized by a lower pH level in the blood, caused by an excess of acid or a loss of bicarbonate, which is not the typical complication seen in pyloric stenosis with excessive vomiting.

3. A 5-year-old has patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for pain management after abdominal surgery. What information does the nurse include in teaching the parents about the PCA?

• A. The child may not be pain-free.
• B. The parents or nurse may push the button for a bolus if needed.
• C. The pump allows for a continuous basal rate to deliver a constant amount of medication for pain control.
• D. Monitoring is required every 1 to 2 hours to assess patient response.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the PCA pump can be programmed to deliver a continuous basal rate of pain medication to maintain pain control. While the goal of PCA is effective pain relief, it does not guarantee a pain-free state. In the case of a 5-year-old child, the parents or nurse can administer boluses if necessary since the child may not fully comprehend using the PCA button. Monitoring every 1 to 2 hours for patient response is adequate and there is no need for monitoring every 15 minutes, as stated in choice D, unless specific circumstances dictate more frequent monitoring.

4. Which finding suggests fluid volume deficit in an infant presenting with vomiting and diarrhea for 2 days?

• A. Increased blood pressure
• B. A sunken fontanel
• C. Decreased pulse rate
• D. Low urine specific gravity

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A sunken fontanel is a classic sign of dehydration in infants, indicating a fluid volume deficit. In dehydration, the fontanel sinks due to decreased fluid volume in the body. Increased blood pressure (Choice A) is not typically associated with dehydration in infants. Decreased pulse rate (Choice C) is not a common finding in fluid volume deficit, as the body tries to increase the heart rate to compensate for decreased volume. Low urine specific gravity (Choice D) may be seen in dehydration, but it is not as specific or as easily observable as a sunken fontanel.

5. A 12-year-old girl has recently begun menstruating and is well into puberty. The child is visiting the health care provider today for a routine physical examination. Which finding should cause concern in the nurse?

• A. Breasts of slightly different sizes
• B. Irregular periods
• C. Vulvar irritation
• D. Supernumerary nipple

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Vulvar irritation may indicate an infection or other issues and should be further evaluated. In a pubescent girl, breasts of slightly different sizes and irregular periods are common variations of normal development. Supernumerary nipple, an extra nipple, is a benign condition that is not typically concerning during puberty.

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