Nursing Elites

1. An awake, alert 4-year-old child has just arrived at the emergency department after an ingestion of aspirin at home. The practitioner has ordered activated charcoal. The nurse administers charcoal in which manner?

• A. Giving half of the solution and then repeating the other half in 1 hour
• B. Mixing with a flavorful beverage in an opaque container with a straw
• C. Serving it in a clear plastic cup so the child can see how much has been drunk
• D. Administering it through a nasogastric tube because the child will not drink it because of the taste

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Mixing activated charcoal with a flavorful beverage in an opaque container can help mask the taste and encourage the child to ingest it. Using an opaque container can prevent the child from seeing the unappealing appearance of the charcoal mixture, increasing compliance.

2. The mother of a 6-year-old boy who has recently had surgery for the removal of his tonsils and adenoids complains that he has begun sucking his thumb again. Which defense mechanism should the nurse include when responding to the mother?

• A. Repression
• B. Regression
• C. Rationalization
• D. Fantasy

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Regression. Regression is a common defense mechanism where a child reverts to an earlier stage of development, such as thumb-sucking, to cope with stress. In this scenario, the 6-year-old boy is using thumb-sucking (a behavior typical of earlier developmental stages) as a way to deal with the stress of surgery. Repression (choice A) involves unconsciously blocking out thoughts or feelings, which is not applicable in this case. Rationalization (choice C) is a defense mechanism where illogical or unreasonable explanations are provided to justify behavior, which is not relevant here. Fantasy (choice D) refers to the use of imagination to escape from reality, which is also not the appropriate defense mechanism for the situation described.

3. The nurse is caring for a very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infant with a peripheral intravenous infusion. What nursing considerations regarding infiltration should be included in planning IV care?

• A. Infiltration is not solely related to the activity level of VLBW infants.
• B. Continuous infusion pumps do not always stop automatically when infiltration occurs.
• C. Hypertonic solutions can cause severe tissue damage if infiltration occurs.
• D. The infusion site should be checked regularly to prevent infiltration-related complications.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Hypertonic solutions can damage tissues if they leak from the vein due to infiltration. It is crucial to monitor for this complication to prevent severe tissue damage. Infiltration is not solely related to the activity level of VLBW infants; it can occur due to various reasons such as vein condition, catheter placement, and fluid type. Continuous infusion pumps may not always detect infiltration, as they typically alarm for pressure changes but not all infiltration instances. Checking the infusion site regularly, preferably hourly, is essential to prevent complications like tissue damage from extravasations, fluid overload, and dehydration.

4. The nurse is interviewing the mother of an infant. The mother reports, "I had a difficult delivery, and my baby was born prematurely." This information should be recorded under which heading?

• A. History
• B. Present illness
• C. Chief complaint
• D. Review of systems

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The history section of the health record includes details about pregnancy, labor, and delivery, as these factors can have significant implications for the child's health.

5. A hospitalized child with minimal change nephrotic syndrome is receiving high doses of prednisone. What nursing goal is appropriate for this child?

• A. Stimulate appetite
• B. Detect evidence of edema
• C. Minimize risk of infection
• D. Promote adherence to the antibiotic regimen

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Prednisone, an immunosuppressant, increases the child's susceptibility to infections, making infection prevention a critical nursing goal. Detecting edema and stimulating appetite are important but secondary to preventing potentially life-threatening infections.

Similar Questions