Nursing Elites

1. A school-age child is admitted to the pediatric unit with a vaso-occlusive crisis. Which of these should be included in the nursing plan of care?

• A. Correction of alkalosis
• B. Pain management and administration of heparin
• C. Adequate oxygenation and replacement of factor VIII to correct the sickling
• D. Adequate hydration, oxygenation, and pain management

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell anemia require a comprehensive approach that includes adequate hydration to reduce blood viscosity, oxygenation to prevent further sickling of red blood cells, and aggressive pain management. This approach helps improve tissue perfusion and manage pain effectively. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Correction of alkalosis is not a priority in vaso-occlusive crisis management. Administration of heparin is not indicated as it can increase the risk of bleeding in sickle cell patients. Factor VIII replacement is not relevant to sickle cell anemia as it is a treatment for hemophilia, not sickle cell disease.

2. What is an important priority in dealing with the child suspected of having Wilms tumor?

• A. Intervening to minimize bleeding
• B. Monitoring temperature for infection
• C. Ensuring the abdomen is protected from palpation
• D. Teaching parents how to manage parenteral nutrition

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct priority in dealing with a child suspected of having Wilms tumor is ensuring the abdomen is protected from palpation. Palpating the abdomen could lead to tumor dissemination, which is crucial to prevent the spread of cancerous cells. Intervening to minimize bleeding, monitoring temperature for infection, and teaching parents how to manage parenteral nutrition are not the immediate priorities in suspected cases of Wilms tumor.

3. 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.

4. Which laboratory value at the time of diagnosis should the nurse anticipate would determine the worst prognosis for a child with leukemia?

• A. Slow response to chemotherapy
• B. Platelets of 150,000/mcL
• C. Leukocytes less than 10,000/mcL
• D. Leukocytes of 275,000/mcL

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A high white blood cell count (leukocytes of 275,000/mcL) at diagnosis is associated with a worse prognosis in leukemia because it indicates a more aggressive disease with a higher tumor burden. Slow response to chemotherapy (choice A) is a consequence of the aggressive disease and not a determining factor at diagnosis. Platelets of 150,000/mcL (choice B) and leukocytes less than 10,000/mcL (choice C) are within normal ranges and not indicative of a worse prognosis in leukemia.

5. A child with acetaminophen (Tylenol) poisoning has been admitted to the emergency department. What antidote does the nurse anticipate being prescribed?

• A. Carnitine (Carnitor)
• B. Fomepizole (Antizol)
• C. Deferoxamine (Desferal)
• D. N-acetylcysteine (Mucomyst)

Correct answer: D

Rationale: N-acetylcysteine is the specific antidote for acetaminophen poisoning, working by replenishing glutathione and preventing liver damage. The other options are antidotes for different types of poisoning (e.g., Fomepizole for methanol or ethylene glycol poisoning).

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