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 advantage of the ventrogluteal muscle as an injection site in young children?

• A. Easily accessible from many directions
• B. Free of significant nerves and vascular structures
• C. Can be used until the child reaches a weight of 9 kg (20 lb)
• D. Increased subcutaneous fat, which provides sustained drug absorption

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is free of significant nerves and vascular structures, making it a safer choice for intramuscular injections in young children compared to other sites that may be more prone to complications.

3. Which medication should the nurse expect to administer to a child with an acute sickle cell pain crisis?

• A. Meperidine (Demerol)
• B. Morphine
• C. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• D. Ibuprofen (Motrin)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In the management of acute sickle cell pain crisis in children, morphine is the preferred medication due to its effectiveness in providing pain relief. Meperidine (Demerol) is less commonly used in this scenario because of its potential for neurotoxicity with repeated doses. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Motrin) are not typically sufficient for managing the severe pain associated with sickle cell crises and are not the first-line treatment options.

4. Baby M is 5 months old. You notice that she now has the ability to grasp objects between her fingers and opposing thumb. This is known as:

• A. Parachute reflex
• B. Grasp reflex
• C. Pincer grasp
• D. Prehension

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Pincer grasp. The pincer grasp is the ability to hold objects between the thumb and another finger, typically developed around 9-12 months. At 5 months, it is early for a pincer grasp to fully develop, but the beginning of this skill can be seen as early as 5 months. Choices A and B are incorrect as the parachute reflex is a protective response to falling and the grasp reflex is an automatic response to touch. Choice D, prehension, is a general term for the act of grasping or holding objects, but it does not specifically refer to holding objects between the thumb and fingers like the pincer grasp does.

5. Which heart sound is produced by vibrations within the heart chambers or in the major arteries from the back-and-forth flow of blood?

• A. S1 and S2
• B. S3 and S4
• C. Murmur
• D. Physiologic splitting

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A murmur is produced by turbulent blood flow within the heart or major arteries, resulting in audible vibrations.

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