Nursing Elites

1. A school-age child is 2 hours postoperative following a tonsillectomy. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

• A. Place a heating pad at the surgical site.
• B. Encourage the child to cough every 2 hours.
• C. Administer analgesics to the child on a regular schedule.
• D. Apply an ice collar to the child's neck.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: After a tonsillectomy, applying an ice collar to the child's neck helps decrease pain and swelling. Heat should be avoided as it can increase bleeding. Encouraging coughing may increase the risk of bleeding. Administering analgesics on a regular schedule is essential for pain management, but the immediate postoperative period may require additional interventions like ice collar application.

2. A healthcare provider is planning care for a child with hyperkalemia. Which manifestation associated with the documented hyperkalemia requires immediate intervention by the healthcare provider?

• A. Hyperthermia
• B. Respiratory distress
• C. Seizures
• D. Cardiac arrhythmias

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In hyperkalemia, cardiac arrhythmias are the most critical and life-threatening manifestation that requires immediate intervention. Hyperkalemia can lead to dangerous heart rhythm disturbances, potentially resulting in cardiac arrest. Prompt treatment is essential to stabilize the heart rhythm and prevent life-threatening complications. Hyperthermia, respiratory distress, and seizures are not typically associated with hyperkalemia and should be addressed, but cardiac arrhythmias pose the most urgent risk to the patient's life.

3. A child with croup has an increased PCO2, a decreased pH, and a normal HCO3 blood gas value. Which finding does the nurse report to the healthcare provider based on these data?

• A. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
• B. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
• C. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
• D. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The blood gas values indicate uncompensated respiratory acidosis. In respiratory acidosis, there is an increased PCO2, decreased pH, and a normal HCO3 level. This condition requires immediate attention to address the underlying respiratory problem causing the acidosis.

4. The nurse is expecting the admission of a child with severe isotonic dehydration. Which intravenous fluid prescription does the nurse anticipate for this child?

• A. 0.9% normal saline (NS)
• B. D5 0.2% (¼) normal saline
• C. D5W
• D. Albumin

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Isotonic dehydration requires the administration of normal saline to restore fluid balance.

5. Why is the specific gravity for infants lower than for older children?

• A. Infants have a greater body surface area.
• B. Infants have a higher basal metabolic rate.
• C. Infants have a greater percentage of body weight that is water.
• D. Infants' kidneys are less able to concentrate urine.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because infants' kidneys are less developed compared to older children, making them less efficient at concentrating urine. This results in a lower specific gravity in infants. The other choices do not directly explain why the specific gravity is lower in infants.

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