Nursing Elites

1. A toddler is admitted to the surgical unit for a planned closure of a temporary colostomy. Which medical prescription should the nurse question?

• A. Clear liquids today, NPO tomorrow
• B. Type and cross-match for 1 unit of packed red blood cells
• C. Rectal temperatures every 4 hours
• D. Start an intravenous line with D5NS at 20 mL per hour

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Rectal temperatures should be avoided in a toddler with a colostomy due to the risk of injury. Choices A, B, and D are appropriate medical prescriptions for a toddler undergoing colostomy closure. Choice A ensures the toddler's intake of clear liquids before being made NPO, choice B prepares for possible blood transfusion needs, and choice D initiates intravenous hydration with D5NS at an appropriate rate.

2. A post-op patient has an epidural infusion of morphine sulfate. The patient’s respiratory rate declines to 8 breaths/minute. Which medication would the nurse anticipate administering?

• A. Naloxone (Narcan)
• B. Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst)
• C. Methyprednisolone (Solu-Medrol)
• D. Protamine Sulfate

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Naloxone is a narcotic antagonist that can reverse the effects, both adverse and therapeutic, of opioid narcotic analgesics.

3. When teaching a school-age child and the parent how to administer insulin, which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Store the insulin in the refrigerator after each use.
• B. Rotate injection sites each time you give the injection.
• C. You should give the insulin at room temperature.
• D. Administer the insulin within 30 minutes of each meal.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: It is essential to give insulin at room temperature to prevent discomfort during administration. Cold insulin can cause stinging and pain, which can be avoided by allowing the insulin to reach room temperature before administration. Storing insulin in the refrigerator is correct for long-term storage, but it should be brought to room temperature before use. Rotating injection sites is important to prevent lipohypertrophy, a condition characterized by fatty lumps that can develop if injections are consistently given in the same area. Administering insulin within 30 minutes of a meal is generally recommended to match the insulin peak action with the peak glucose levels after eating, but giving insulin at room temperature is more crucial to ensure comfort and proper absorption.

4. The caregiver is teaching a parent of a young child with a newly diagnosed seizure disorder. The child is prescribed valproic acid (Depakote) for control of seizures. Which parental statement indicates the need for further education?

• A. I will not use carbonated beverages to dilute his medication.
• B. I will give his medication with food to minimize gastrointestinal upset.
• C. I will not let him chew his tablet.
• D. I will bring him to the physician's office for regular blood work to check his blood levels.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Valproic acid should be administered with food to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal upset. Giving it on an empty stomach may increase the likelihood of adverse effects. The other statements are correct: A - Carbonated beverages should not be used to dilute the medication, C - The tablet should not be chewed, and D - Regular blood work is necessary to monitor valproic acid levels and potential side effects.

5. A child is being treated for dehydration with intravenous fluids. The child currently weighs 13 kg and is estimated to have lost 7% of his normal body weight. The nurse is double-checking the IV rate the healthcare provider prescribed. The formula the healthcare provider used was for maintenance fluids: 1000 mL for 10 kg of body weight plus 50 mL for every kilogram over 10 for 24 hours. Replacement fluid is the percentage of lost body weight × 10 per kg of body weight. According to the calculation for maintenance plus replacement fluid, which hourly IV rate will the nurse implement for 24 hours?

• A. 88 mL/hr
• B. 86 mL/hr
• C. 81 mL/hr
• D. 83 mL/hr

Correct answer: B

Rationale: For 13 kg, the maintenance fluid is 1150 mL (1000 mL for first 10 kg + 3*50 mL for the remaining 3 kg). Replacement fluid is 910 mL (0.07 * 13000 mL). Total fluid is 2060 mL, divided by 24 hours is 86 mL/hr.

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