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. The nurses caring for a child are concerned about the child’s frequent requests for pain medication. During a team conference, a new nurse suggests they consider administering a placebo instead of the usual pain medication to see how the child responds. The team educates the nurse on why this is not appropriate and bases the decision on what knowledge?

• A. This practice is unjustified and unethical.
• B. This practice is effective in determining whether a child’s pain is real.
• C. The absence of a response to a placebo means the child’s pain has an organic basis.
• D. A positive response to a placebo will not occur if the child’s pain has an organic basis.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. The use of placebos without the patient’s consent is unethical and goes against the principles of beneficence and autonomy. Choice B is incorrect because using placebos does not provide reliable information about the presence or severity of the pain; it only indicates the response to the placebo itself. Choice C is wrong as the absence of a response to a placebo does not definitively mean that the child’s pain has an organic basis; there could be various reasons for the lack of response. Choice D is also incorrect as individuals may have a positive response to a placebo even if their pain has a significant organic cause. Therefore, the most appropriate response is A, emphasizing the ethical concerns surrounding the use of placebos without informed consent.

3. During a routine health assessment, the nurse notes that an 8-month-old infant has a significant head lag. Which is the most appropriate action?

• A. Recheck head control at the next visit
• B. Teach the parents appropriate exercises
• C. Schedule the child for further evaluation
• D. Refer the child for further evaluation if the anterior fontanel is still open

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Significant head lag at 8 months is concerning and warrants further evaluation, as it may indicate developmental delays or neurological issues.

4. The parents of a 12-month-old child ask the nurse if the child can eat hot dogs as do their other children. The nurse’s reply should be based on what?

• A. The child is too young to digest hot dogs.
• B. The child is too young to eat hot dogs safely.
• C. Hot dogs must be sliced into sections to prevent aspiration.
• D. Hot dogs must be cut into small, irregular pieces to prevent aspiration.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Cutting hot dogs into small, irregular pieces reduces the risk of aspiration, which is a significant choking hazard for young children.

5. What is known as providing families with information on normal growth and development and nurturing child-rearing practices before the child enters that stage of development?

• A. Holistic nursing
• B. Evidence-based practice
• C. Morbidity
• D. Anticipatory guidance

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Anticipatory guidance is the process of providing parents with information about expected developmental milestones and how to address common issues that may arise during different stages of their child's growth. This proactive approach helps parents prepare for and support their child's development. Holistic nursing (choice A) refers to a comprehensive and integrated approach to healthcare that considers the whole person. Evidence-based practice (choice B) involves making clinical decisions based on the best available evidence. Morbidity (choice C) refers to the prevalence of a disease in a population.

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