Nursing Elites

1. An important role of the nurse in ambulatory settings and schools is the identification of communicable diseases for treatment and the prevention of spread. What is an important component related to the first period of the contagiousness of disease?

• A. Source
• B. Causative agent
• C. Prodromal stage
• D. Constitutional symptoms

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The prodromal period is the interval between the early manifestations of the disease and the time when the overt clinical syndrome is evident. Most communicable diseases are contagious during this time. Identifying the prodromal stage is crucial for early intervention and preventing the spread of the disease. While the source and causative agent are important aspects of disease control, recognizing the early signs in the prodromal stage allows the nurse to take timely actions. Constitutional symptoms occur during the active disease phase, indicating that the child has already been contagious, and early intervention opportunities may have passed.

2. The nurse is teaching a group of new nursing graduates about identifiable qualities of strong families that help them function effectively. Which quality should be included in the teaching?

• A. Lack of congruence among family members
• B. Clear set of family values, rules, and beliefs
• C. Adoption of one coping strategy that always promotes positive functioning in dealing with life events
• D. Sense of commitment toward growth of individual family members as opposed to that of the family unit

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Strong families have a clear set of values, rules, and beliefs that guide their interactions and help them function effectively as a unit.

3. 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.

4. Which laboratory value at the time of diagnosis should the nurse anticipate would determine the worst prognosis for a child with leukemia?

• A. Slow response to chemotherapy
• B. Platelets of 150,000/mcL
• C. Leukocytes less than 10,000/mcL
• D. Leukocytes of 275,000/mcL

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A high white blood cell count (leukocytes of 275,000/mcL) at diagnosis is associated with a worse prognosis in leukemia because it indicates a more aggressive disease with a higher tumor burden. Slow response to chemotherapy (choice A) is a consequence of the aggressive disease and not a determining factor at diagnosis. Platelets of 150,000/mcL (choice B) and leukocytes less than 10,000/mcL (choice C) are within normal ranges and not indicative of a worse prognosis in leukemia.

5. What type of dehydration occurs when the electrolyte deficit exceeds the water deficit?

• A. Isotonic dehydration
• B. Hypotonic dehydration
• C. Hypertonic dehydration
• D. Hyperosmotic dehydration

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Hypotonic dehydration occurs when the loss of electrolytes exceeds the loss of water, leading to a decrease in plasma osmolarity. This often occurs when sodium loss is greater than water loss, as in diarrhea or vomiting.

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