Nursing Elites

1. A young child has coarctation of the aorta. What does the nurse expect to identify when taking the child’s vital signs?

• A. A weak radial pulse
• B. An irregular heartbeat
• C. A bounding femoral pulse
• D. An elevated radial blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In coarctation of the aorta, there is narrowing of the aorta leading to decreased blood flow distal to the constriction. This results in a weak or delayed femoral pulse and a relatively weaker radial pulse compared to the femoral pulse. An irregular heartbeat (choice B) is not a typical finding in coarctation of the aorta. A bounding femoral pulse (choice C) would not be expected due to the decreased blood flow beyond the constriction. An elevated radial blood pressure (choice D) is not a common characteristic of coarctation of the aorta; instead, blood pressure may be higher in the upper extremities compared to the lower extremities due to the constriction.

2. What is an early sign of congestive heart failure that the nurse should recognize?

• A. Tachypnea
• B. Bradycardia
• C. Inability to sweat
• D. Increased urinary output

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Tachypnea, which refers to rapid breathing, is an early sign of congestive heart failure. In heart failure, the heart's inability to pump efficiently can lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs, causing the child to breathe faster to try to compensate for the decreased oxygen exchange. Bradycardia (slow heart rate) is not typically associated with congestive heart failure; instead, it may indicate a different issue. Inability to sweat is not a common early sign of congestive heart failure. Increased urinary output is not a typical early sign of congestive heart failure; instead, it may be a sign of other conditions like diabetes or kidney issues.

3. After clearing the airway of a newborn who is not in distress, what is the most important action for you to take?

• A. Apply free-flow oxygen
• B. Clamp and cut the cord
• C. Keep the newborn warm
• D. Obtain an APGAR score

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Keeping the newborn warm is crucial as newborns are at high risk of hypothermia due to their large body surface area and limited subcutaneous fat. Hypothermia can lead to complications such as respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, and metabolic acidosis. Providing warmth helps maintain the newborn's body temperature and supports physiological processes, promoting overall well-being. Applying free-flow oxygen is not necessary if the newborn is not in distress. Clamping and cutting the cord can be done after addressing the immediate need for warmth. Obtaining an APGAR score is important for assessing the newborn's overall condition but ensuring warmth takes precedence to prevent complications related to hypothermia.

4. A 1-year-old child has a congenital cardiac malformation that causes right-to-left shunting of blood through the heart. What clinical finding should the healthcare provider expect?

• A. Proteinuria
• B. Peripheral edema
• C. Elevated hematocrit
• D. Absence of pedal pulses

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a congenital cardiac malformation causing right-to-left shunting, the nurse should expect an elevated hematocrit. This occurs because the body compensates for decreased oxygenation by producing more red blood cells. Proteinuria (Choice A) is not typically associated with congenital cardiac malformations causing right-to-left shunting. Peripheral edema (Choice B) is more commonly seen in conditions causing left-sided heart failure. Absence of pedal pulses (Choice D) is not a typical finding in congenital cardiac malformations causing right-to-left shunting.

5. What is a common finding that the nurse can identify in most children with symptomatic cardiac malformations?

• A. Mental retardation
• B. Inherited genetic factors
• C. Delayed physical growth
• D. Clubbing of the fingertips

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Delayed physical growth is a common finding in most children with symptomatic cardiac malformations. This occurs due to inadequate oxygenation and nutrient supply to tissues as a result of the cardiac defect. Mental retardation (Choice A) is not typically associated with cardiac malformations unless there are complications affecting brain function. Inherited genetic factors (Choice B) may contribute to the development of cardiac malformations but are not a direct common finding in affected children. Clubbing of the fingertips (Choice D) is more commonly associated with chronic respiratory or cardiac conditions, not specifically cardiac malformations in children.

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