Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for an infant with intractable vomiting. For what complication is it most important for the nurse to assess?

• A. Acidosis
• B. Alkalosis
• C. Hyperkalemia
• D. Hypernatremia

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When an infant experiences intractable vomiting, it can lead to the loss of stomach acids, resulting in metabolic alkalosis. Alkalosis is characterized by elevated blood pH and can lead to serious complications. Assessing for alkalosis is essential in this scenario to monitor and manage the infant's condition. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because in this context, the primary concern is the metabolic imbalance caused by excessive vomiting, leading to alkalosis rather than acidosis, hyperkalemia, or hypernatremia.

2. After a child has just returned from surgery for a tracheostomy, what is the priority nursing action?

• A. Suctioning the tracheostomy tube
• B. Changing the tracheostomy dressing
• C. Monitoring respiratory status
• D. Ensuring the tracheostomy ties are secure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The priority nursing action after a child has undergone tracheostomy surgery is to suction the tracheostomy tube. Suctioning is crucial to maintain a clear airway, remove secretions, and prevent potential airway obstruction, which is essential for the child's respiratory function. Changing the tracheostomy dressing, while important for wound care, does not take precedence over airway clearance. Monitoring respiratory status is vital but comes after ensuring airway patency. Ensuring tracheostomy ties are secure is significant for stabilizing the tube but is not as urgent as maintaining a patent airway through suctioning.

3. What explanation should the nurse give a parent about the purpose of a tetanus toxoid injection for their child?

• A. Passive immunity is conferred temporarily.
• B. Long-lasting active immunity is conferred.
• C. Lifelong active natural immunity is conferred.
• D. Passive natural immunity is conferred temporarily.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Long-lasting active immunity is conferred. Tetanus toxoid injection works by stimulating the child's body to produce its antibodies, providing long-lasting active immunity. Choice A is incorrect because passive immunity is not conferred for life; it is temporary and involves receiving antibodies rather than producing them internally. Choice C is incorrect as the immunity conferred by the tetanus toxoid injection is not lifelong natural immunity but rather active immunity stimulated by the body's immune response. Choice D is also incorrect since passive natural immunity is not conferred by the tetanus toxoid injection, and it is not temporary.

4. What should be the priority action when caring for a child with acute laryngotracheobronchitis?

• A. Initiate measures to reduce fever.
• B. Ensure delivery of humidified oxygen.
• C. Provide support to reduce apprehension.
• D. Continually assess the respiratory status.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When caring for a child with acute laryngotracheobronchitis, the priority action should be to continually assess the respiratory status. This is crucial to detect early signs of respiratory distress, such as worsening stridor or increased work of breathing. Prompt intervention can prevent further deterioration of the child's condition. Initiating measures to reduce fever (Choice A) may be necessary but is not the priority in this situation. Ensuring delivery of humidified oxygen (Choice B) is important for maintaining oxygenation but should follow the assessment of respiratory status. Providing support to reduce apprehension (Choice C) is also important for the child's comfort but is not the priority over assessing and managing respiratory distress.

5. A nurse is caring for an infant with a tentative diagnosis of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS). What is most important for the nurse to assess?

• A. Quality of the cry
• B. Signs of dehydration
• C. Coughing up feedings
• D. Characteristics of the stool

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Signs of dehydration. Assessing for signs of dehydration is crucial in infants with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) because they are at high risk due to frequent vomiting. Dehydration can lead to serious complications if not promptly addressed. Choices A, C, and D are not the priority assessments for HPS. While the quality of the cry can provide some information on the infant's distress level, dehydration assessment takes precedence. Coughing up feedings may not be specific to HPS, and characteristics of the stool, although important in general assessments, are not the priority in this situation.

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