Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is teaching the parents of a toddler about the signs and symptoms of lead poisoning. Which symptom should the nurse emphasize?

• A. Abdominal pain
• B. Constipation
• C. Irritability
• D. Frequent urination

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Irritability is a significant symptom of lead poisoning in toddlers and should be emphasized to parents. Lead poisoning can manifest with various symptoms, but irritability is particularly common in children exposed to lead. Abdominal pain (Choice A) is not a typical symptom of lead poisoning in toddlers. While constipation (Choice B) can occur, it is less specific and less common than irritability. Frequent urination (Choice D) is not a typical symptom associated with lead poisoning in toddlers and is less relevant for parents to recognize in this context.

2. When you attempt to assess a 22-year-old woman who has been sexually assaulted, and she orders you not to touch her, your most appropriate initial action should be to

• A. ask the patient to sign a release form
• B. ask a female EMT-B to attempt to assess the patient
• C. explain to the patient that she must be examined
• D. transport the patient without performing an assessment

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In cases of sexual assault, it is crucial to prioritize the patient's emotional and physical comfort. Asking a female EMT-B to attempt the assessment is the most appropriate initial action as it respects the patient's need for privacy and comfort. Asking the patient to sign a release form (Choice A) is not the immediate concern when the patient's well-being and comfort are at stake. Explaining to the patient that she must be examined (Choice C) disregards her autonomy and can worsen the trauma she is experiencing. Transporting the patient without performing an assessment (Choice D) neglects the necessary evaluation and potentially vital care that she may require.

3. A child sitting on a chair in a playroom starts to have a tonic-clonic seizure with a clenched jaw. What is the nurse’s best initial action?

• A. Attempt to open the jaw.
• B. Place the child on the floor.
• C. Call out for assistance from staff.
• D. Place a pillow under the child’s head.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct initial action during a tonic-clonic seizure is to place the child on the floor to prevent injury. This action helps protect the child from falling off the chair and provides a safer environment for the seizure to occur. Attempting to open the jaw can cause harm or injury. Calling out for assistance is important but should follow the immediate action of moving the child to the floor. Placing a pillow under the child’s head is not recommended as it may lead to airway obstruction or further injury during the seizure.

4. When teaching a class about trisomy 21, the instructor would identify the cause of this disorder as:

• A. nondisjunction.
• B. X-linked recessive inheritance.
• C. genomic imprinting.
• D. autosomal dominant inheritance.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Trisomy 21, also known as Down syndrome, is caused by nondisjunction, which is an error in cell division that leads to the presence of an extra chromosome 21. This additional chromosome alters the normal genetic makeup, resulting in the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. Therefore, the correct answer is nondisjunction (Choice A). Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because Trisomy 21 is not caused by X-linked recessive inheritance, genomic imprinting, or autosomal dominant inheritance. Understanding the specific genetic mechanism involved in Trisomy 21 is crucial for grasping the basis of this chromosomal disorder.

5. While assessing an 18-month-old child, a nurse observes that the toddler can crawl upstairs but needs assistance when climbing the stairs upright. What does this action indicate to the nurse?

• A. Presence of talipes equinovarus
• B. Reflective of neurologic damage
• C. Expected behavior in a toddler of this age
• D. Existence of developmental dysplasia of the hip

Correct answer: C

Rationale: At 18 months of age, needing assistance to climb stairs upright is considered normal behavior for a toddler. Crawling upstairs is a different motor skill and does not necessarily correlate with the ability to climb stairs. The child is still developing gross motor skills, and climbing stairs upright typically requires more coordination and strength, which may not be fully developed at this age. Choices A, B, and D are not relevant in this scenario as the observed behavior is within the expected range of development for an 18-month-old child.

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