Nursing Elites

1. According to Piaget, which principle supports a nine-year-old child's understanding that an arm will look the same when the IV is removed?

• A. The principle of conservation
• B. The principle of transductive reasoning
• C. The principle of identity
• D. The principle of reflex abilities

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, the principle of conservation. Piaget's principle of conservation relates to a child's ability to understand that certain properties of objects remain unchanged despite modifications in their appearance. In this case, the child's understanding that an arm will look the same after the IV is removed demonstrates conservation of appearance. Choice B, transductive reasoning, involves making faulty generalizations based on specific instances and does not apply in this context. Choice C, the principle of identity, pertains to recognizing objects as the same even if they undergo transformations, which is not directly relevant to the scenario. Choice D, reflex abilities, refers to automatic responses to stimuli and is unrelated to the child's understanding of the arm's appearance post-IV removal.

2. The child is admitted with acute abdominal pain and possible appendicitis. What intervention is appropriate to relieve the abdominal discomfort during the evaluation?

• A. Place the child in the Trendelenburg position.
• B. Apply moist heat to the abdomen.
• C. Allow the child to assume a position of comfort.
• D. Administer a saline enema to cleanse the bowel.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Allowing the child to assume a position of comfort is appropriate as it helps alleviate discomfort without the risk of complications. Placing the child in the Trendelenburg position could increase intra-abdominal pressure and worsen the condition. Applying moist heat may lead to vasodilation and potential perforation in case of appendicitis. Administering a saline enema can be harmful if the appendix is inflamed or perforated.

3. A 12-year-old child is injured in a bicycle accident. When considering the possibility of renal trauma, the nurse should consider what factor?

• A. Flank pain rarely occurs in children with renal injuries.
• B. Few nonpenetrating injuries cause renal trauma in children.
• C. Kidneys are immobile, well protected, and rarely injured in children.
• D. The amount of hematuria is not a reliable indicator of the seriousness of renal injury.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The amount of hematuria is not a reliable indicator of the severity of renal trauma, as even minor injuries can cause significant bleeding, while severe injuries may result in little or no visible blood. Renal trauma should be evaluated through imaging and clinical assessment.

4. Physiologically, the child compensates for fluid volume losses by which mechanism?

• A. Inhibition of aldosterone secretion
• B. Hemoconcentration to reduce cardiac workload
• C. Fluid shift from interstitial space to intravascular space
• D. Vasodilation of peripheral arterioles to increase perfusion

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In response to dehydration, the body compensates by shifting fluids from the interstitial spaces to the intravascular space to maintain blood pressure and perfusion to vital organs. Hemoconcentration and vasoconstriction are other compensatory mechanisms but are less immediate.

5. The nurse is admitting a child with severe isotonic dehydration. Which intravenous fluid should the nurse anticipate the doctor to order initially to replace fluids?

• A. 0.9% normal saline
• B. D5 0.2% (1/4) normal saline
• C. D5W
• D. Albumin

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In the case of severe isotonic dehydration, the initial fluid of choice is 0.9% normal saline. This solution is preferred because it helps to restore both fluids and electrolytes effectively. Options B, C, and D are not suitable for the initial management of severe isotonic dehydration. D5 0.2% (1/4) normal saline (Choice B) is a hypotonic solution and might worsen the imbalance. D5W (Choice C) is a hypotonic solution that does not contain electrolytes essential for rehydration. Albumin (Choice D) is a colloid solution used for specific indications like hypoproteinemia or hypoalbuminemia, not for initial rehydration in severe dehydration.

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