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. A nurse is evaluating a 3-year-old child’s developmental progress. The inability to perform which task indicates to the nurse that there is a developmental delay?

• A. Copying a square
• B. Hopping on one foot
• C. Catching a ball reliably
• D. Using a spoon effectively

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Copying a square. At 3 years old, children should be able to copy a square as part of their fine motor skill development. The inability to perform this task may indicate a developmental delay in fine motor skills. Choice B, hopping on one foot, typically develops around 4-5 years of age, so it is not a reliable indicator of a delay at 3. Choice C, catching a ball reliably, involves coordination skills that develop later in childhood, making it less relevant for a 3-year-old assessment. Choice D, using a spoon effectively, is more related to self-care and feeding skills rather than fine motor development, so it is not the best indicator of a developmental delay in this context.

3. A child with a diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is being discharged. What dietary instructions should the nurse provide?

• A. Avoid spicy foods
• B. Avoid gluten
• C. Avoid high-fat foods
• D. Avoid dairy products

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct dietary instruction for a child with GERD is to avoid high-fat foods. High-fat foods can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, leading to increased reflux. While avoiding gluten may be necessary for individuals with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, it is not a standard recommendation for GERD. Avoiding spicy foods and dairy products may help some individuals with GERD, but the most crucial dietary advice is to avoid high-fat foods.

4. A child with diabetes insipidus is being treated with vasopressin. The nurse would assess the child closely for signs and symptoms of which condition?

• A. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)
• B. Thyroid storm
• C. Cushing syndrome
• D. Vitamin D toxicity

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Vasopressin is a medication used to treat diabetes insipidus by increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys. However, an excessive dose of vasopressin can lead to water retention, causing SIADH, which is characterized by dilutional hyponatremia. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Thyroid storm is a severe form of hyperthyroidism characterized by increased metabolism and can lead to life-threatening complications. Cushing syndrome results from excess cortisol production and is characterized by weight gain, hypertension, and other features. Vitamin D toxicity occurs due to an overdose of vitamin D, leading to hypercalcemia and symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and weakness.

5. What is important to include in discharge instructions for a child who has had a tonsillectomy?

• A. Encourage the child to gargle with salt water
• B. Encourage fluid intake
• C. Provide the child with hard candy
• D. Apply heat to the neck

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Encouraging fluid intake is essential post-tonsillectomy to keep the throat moist, aid in healing, and prevent dehydration. Gargling with salt water may irritate the surgical site and is typically avoided to prevent discomfort and irritation. Providing hard candy can be harmful as it may cause trauma to the surgical area and should be avoided to prevent injury. Applying heat to the neck is not recommended as it can increase swelling and discomfort in the surgical region. Therefore, the correct instruction is to encourage fluid intake.

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