Nursing Elites

1. An 8-year-old girl was diagnosed with a closed fracture of the radius at approximately 2 p.m. The fracture was reduced in the emergency department and her arm placed in a cast. At 11 p.m. her mother brings her back to the emergency department due to unrelenting pain that has not been relieved by the prescribed narcotics. Which action would be the priority?

• A. Notifying the doctor immediately
• B. Applying ice
• C. Elevating the arm
• D. Giving additional pain medication as ordered

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action would be to notify the doctor immediately. Unrelenting pain despite medication can indicate compartment syndrome, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention. Applying ice, elevating the arm, or giving additional pain medication may not address the underlying cause of the unrelenting pain, which could be a sign of a serious complication like compartment syndrome. Prompt medical evaluation is crucial in this situation to prevent potential complications.

2. During a nap, a 3-year-old hospitalized child wets the bed. How should the nurse respond?

• A. Ask the child to help with remaking the bed.
• B. Put clean sheets on the bed over a rubber sheet.
• C. Change the child’s clothes without discussing the incident.
• D. Explain that children should call the nurse when they need to go to the bathroom.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a 3-year-old hospitalized child wets the bed during a nap, the nurse should respond by changing the child's clothes without discussing the incident. This approach helps to maintain the child's dignity, avoid embarrassment, and reduce anxiety about bedwetting. Asking the child to help remake the bed (Choice A) may not be developmentally appropriate for a 3-year-old and could potentially lead to further distress. Putting clean sheets on the bed over a rubber sheet (Choice B) addresses the aftermath but does not directly address the child's needs and feelings. Explaining that children should call the nurse when they need to go to the bathroom (Choice D) may not be effective in this situation as the child may not have control over bedwetting during sleep.

3. The nurse is obtaining a health history from parents of a 4-month-old boy with congenital hypothyroidism. What would the nurse most likely assess?

• A. The child's growth is above normal for his age.
• B. The child is active and playful.
• C. The skin appears pink and healthy.
• D. It is difficult to keep the child awake.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Congenital hypothyroidism in infants often leads to lethargy and difficulty staying awake due to low thyroid hormone levels. Assessing the child's ability to stay awake is crucial in identifying signs of hypothyroidism. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because above-normal growth, being active and playful, and having healthy-looking skin are not typical manifestations of congenital hypothyroidism. Instead, infants with hypothyroidism may exhibit poor weight gain, decreased activity, and dry, pale skin.

4. The nurse is teaching the parents of a 1-month-old girl with Down syndrome how to maintain good health for the child. Which instruction would the nurse be least likely to include?

• A. Getting cervical radiographs between 3 and 5 years of age
• B. Adhering to the special dietary needs of the child
• C. Getting an echocardiogram before 3 months of age
• D. Monitoring for symptoms of respiratory infection

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. While special dietary needs may be important for a child with Down syndrome, they are typically not the primary concern for a 1-month-old. The nurse would be least likely to focus on this aspect as immediate issues such as monitoring for congenital heart defects (echocardiogram), cervical spine abnormalities (radiographs), and respiratory infections are more critical in the early months. Adhering to dietary needs is important, but it is usually addressed as the child grows older and is not the priority during the infant stage.

5. When developing the plan of care for a child with burns requiring fluid replacement therapy, what information would the nurse expect to include?

• A. Administration of colloid initially followed by a crystalloid
• B. Determination of fluid replacement based on the type of burn
• C. Administration of most of the volume during the first 8 hours
• D. Monitoring of hourly urine output to achieve less than 1 mL/kg/hr

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. In fluid replacement therapy for burns, it is crucial to administer most of the volume during the first 8 hours to prevent shock and maintain perfusion. This rapid administration is essential to stabilize the child's condition. Choices A and B are incorrect because the initial fluid replacement in burns typically involves administering crystalloids, not colloids, and the fluid replacement is generally calculated based on the extent of the burn injury, not the type of burn. Choice D is incorrect as monitoring hourly urine output to achieve less than 1 mL/kg/hr is not recommended in burn patients; instead, urine output should be monitored to achieve 1-2 mL/kg/hr in children to ensure adequate renal perfusion.

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