Nursing Elites

1. A thorough systemic physical assessment is necessary in the extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infant to detect what?

• A. Weight gain reflective of fluid retention
• B. Difficulties in maternal-child attachment
• C. Subtle changes that may be indicative of an underlying problem
• D. Changes in Apgar score over the first 24 hours of life

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants, a thorough systemic physical assessment is crucial to detect subtle changes that may indicate an underlying problem. These infants are highly vulnerable and may show signs of stress through changes in feeding behavior, activity, color, oxygen saturation, or vital signs. Monitoring weight in ELBW infants primarily reflects genitourinary function rather than fluid retention. Difficulties in maternal-child attachment are important but are usually assessed during parental visits and are not the primary focus of a systemic physical assessment. Changes in the Apgar score are used immediately after birth to assess the transition to extrauterine life and are not as relevant in the following 24 hours to detect ongoing subtle issues.

2. The nurse is conducting discharge teaching with the parent of a 7-year-old child with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). What statement by the parent indicates a correct understanding of the teaching?

• A. My child needs to stay home from school for at least 1 more month.
• B. I should not add additional salt to any of my child's meals.
• C. My child will not be able to participate in contact sports while receiving corticosteroid therapy.
• D. I should measure my child's urine after each void and report the 24-hour amount to the healthcare provider.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Avoiding additional salt is crucial to help manage edema in children with MCNS. While monitoring urine output is important, the other statements either misinterpret the need for prolonged school absence or misunderstand the risk associated with contact sports during steroid therapy.

3. An intravenous line is needed in a school-age child. What medication is an appropriate analgesic for use with this patient?

• A. TAC (tetracaine, epinephrine [Adrenalin], cocaine) 15 minutes before the procedure.
• B. A transdermal fentanyl (Duragesic) patch at the site of venipuncture.
• C. EMLA (eutectic mixture of local anesthetics) immediately before the procedure.
• D. LMX (4% liposomal lidocaine cream) 30 minutes before the procedure.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: LMX is an effective analgesic agent when applied to the skin 30 minutes before a procedure. It eliminates or reduces the pain from most procedures involving skin puncture. TAC provides skin anesthesia about 15 minutes after application to nonintact skin, making it more suitable for wound suturing. Transdermal fentanyl patches are designed for continuous pain control, not rapid pain control needed for a procedure like venipuncture. EMLA, for maximum effectiveness, must be applied approximately 60 minutes before the procedure, making it less suitable for immediate pain relief required for intravenous line placement.

4. A newborn is admitted to the nursery with a complete bilateral cleft lip and palate. The mother refuses to see or hold her infant. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Restate what the physician has told her about plastic surgery
• B. Suggest holding her baby without making eye contact
• C. Encourage and allow the mother to express her feelings
• D. Recognize and allow the mother to express her feelings

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this situation, the priority is to acknowledge and validate the mother's feelings, creating a supportive environment for her. Option D is correct as it focuses on recognizing and allowing the mother to express her emotions. This approach can help build trust and facilitate communication. Options A and B are incorrect as they do not address the mother's emotional needs and may come across as dismissive. Option C is less appropriate as it only encourages expression without explicitly recognizing the mother's current emotional state.

5. The nurse is preparing an airborne infection isolation room for a patient. Which communicable disease does the patient likely have?

• A. Varicella
• B. Pertussis
• C. Influenza
• D. Scarlet fever

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Varicella (chickenpox) is an airborne infectious disease, requiring isolation to prevent the spread of the virus.

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