Nursing Elites

1. After surgery yesterday for gastroesophageal reflux, the nurse finds that the infant has somehow removed the nasogastric (NG) tube. What nursing action is most appropriate to perform at this time?

• A. Notify the healthcare provider.
• B. Insert a new NG tube for feedings.
• C. Replace the NG tube to maintain gastric decompression.
• D. Leave the NG tube out as it may have been in long enough.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most appropriate action for the nurse to take in this situation is to notify the healthcare provider immediately. This is important as the removal of the NG tube can disrupt postoperative care, especially in terms of maintaining gastric decompression. Inserting a new NG tube without practitioner direction can be unsafe and is not within the nurse's scope of practice. Similarly, replacing the NG tube or leaving it out should be decided by the healthcare provider to ensure the infant's safety and appropriate postoperative care.

2. What should the healthcare provider consider when providing support to a family whose infant has just been diagnosed with biliary atresia?

• A. The prognosis for full recovery is excellent.
• B. Death usually occurs by 6 months of age.
• C. Liver transplantation may be needed eventually.
• D. Children with surgical correction live normal lives.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When supporting a family whose infant has been diagnosed with biliary atresia, it is important to consider that liver transplantation may be needed eventually. Biliary atresia is a serious condition where bile flow from the liver to the gallbladder is blocked or absent. While surgical interventions like the Kasai procedure can temporarily improve bile flow and delay the need for transplantation, the long-term survival often depends on liver transplantation as the child grows older. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the prognosis for full recovery is not excellent as biliary atresia is a chronic condition that often requires ongoing medical management, death usually does not occur by 6 months of age but the condition does require intervention, and not all children with surgical correction can live normal lives without the need for further interventions like transplantation.

3. What is an important intervention in providing a neutral thermal environment for an LBW infant in an incubator?

• A. Use wool blankets.
• B. Avoid using disposable diapers.
• C. Prevent heat loss.
• D. Closely monitor both incubator and rectal temperatures.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Preventing heat loss in a low birth weight (LBW) infant is crucial in maintaining a neutral thermal environment. The use of cotton blankets is recommended over wool blankets. Avoiding disposable diapers is not directly related to maintaining a neutral thermal environment. While monitoring temperatures is important, the key intervention is preventing heat loss to ensure the infant's survival.

4. What is the appropriate site to administer an intramuscular (IM) vaccine to a newborn?

• A. The dorsal gluteal muscle
• B. The vastus lateralis muscle
• C. The ventral gluteal muscle
• D. The biceps muscle

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct site to administer an intramuscular (IM) vaccine to a newborn is the vastus lateralis muscle. For newborns, the vastus lateralis is preferred over the dorsogluteal site because the dorsogluteal site has been associated with low antibody seroconversion rates, indicating a reduced immune response. The vastus lateralis is also recommended for IM injections in newborns, while the deltoid muscle is preferred for older infants and children. The ventral gluteal muscle and the biceps muscle are not appropriate sites for IM injections. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer.

5. A child with acetaminophen (Tylenol) poisoning has been admitted to the emergency department. What antidote does the nurse anticipate being prescribed?

• A. Carnitine (Carnitor)
• B. Fomepizole (Antizol)
• C. Deferoxamine (Desferal)
• D. N-acetylcysteine (Mucomyst)

Correct answer: D

Rationale: N-acetylcysteine is the specific antidote for acetaminophen poisoning, working by replenishing glutathione and preventing liver damage. The other options are antidotes for different types of poisoning (e.g., Fomepizole for methanol or ethylene glycol poisoning).

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