Nursing Elites

1. An infant is diagnosed with Hirschsprung disease. What nursing intervention is essential before surgery?

• A. Administering antibiotics
• B. Ensuring bowel rest
• C. Performing regular enemas
• D. Maintaining NPO status

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Maintaining NPO (nothing by mouth) status is essential before surgery for a patient with Hirschsprung disease to prevent aspiration. Administering antibiotics, ensuring bowel rest, and performing regular enemas are not the priority interventions before surgery for this condition. Administering antibiotics may be necessary in the postoperative period to prevent infection, ensuring bowel rest can be beneficial but is not the priority, and performing regular enemas is not typically recommended before surgery for Hirschsprung disease.

2. A 6-year-old child with asthma is admitted to the hospital with an acute exacerbation. What is the priority nursing intervention?

• A. Administering a bronchodilator
• B. Administering an antihistamine
• C. Administering a corticosteroid
• D. Administering oxygen

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering a bronchodilator is the priority intervention for a child experiencing an acute asthma exacerbation. Bronchodilators help to dilate the airways, making breathing easier and relieving acute symptoms of asthma. Antihistamines are not the first-line treatment for asthma exacerbations; they are more commonly used for allergic reactions. Corticosteroids are beneficial in reducing inflammation in asthma but are usually administered after bronchodilators to provide long-term control. Oxygen therapy may be necessary in severe cases of asthma exacerbation, but bronchodilators take precedence in improving airway patency and respiratory distress.

3. A 1-year-old child has a congenital cardiac malformation that causes right-to-left shunting of blood through the heart. What clinical finding should the healthcare provider expect?

• A. Proteinuria
• B. Peripheral edema
• C. Elevated hematocrit
• D. Absence of pedal pulses

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a congenital cardiac malformation causing right-to-left shunting, the nurse should expect an elevated hematocrit. This occurs because the body compensates for decreased oxygenation by producing more red blood cells. Proteinuria (Choice A) is not typically associated with congenital cardiac malformations causing right-to-left shunting. Peripheral edema (Choice B) is more commonly seen in conditions causing left-sided heart failure. Absence of pedal pulses (Choice D) is not a typical finding in congenital cardiac malformations causing right-to-left shunting.

4. A 3-year-old child is being discharged after being treated for dehydration. What should the nurse include in the discharge teaching?

• A. Monitor for signs of infection
• B. Monitor for signs of dehydration
• C. Monitor for signs of hypovolemia
• D. Monitor for signs of malnutrition

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Correct! When a child is being discharged after treatment for dehydration, it is important to educate caregivers about monitoring for signs of dehydration to prevent reoccurrence. Dehydration is the primary concern in this scenario, as the child's fluid levels need to be closely monitored. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because while infection, hypovolemia, and malnutrition are also important considerations in pediatric care, the immediate focus after treating dehydration should be on preventing its recurrence by monitoring for signs of dehydration.

5. A child sitting on a chair in a playroom starts to have a tonic-clonic seizure with a clenched jaw. What is the nurse’s best initial action?

• A. Attempt to open the jaw.
• B. Place the child on the floor.
• C. Call out for assistance from staff.
• D. Place a pillow under the child’s head.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct initial action during a tonic-clonic seizure is to place the child on the floor to prevent injury. This action helps protect the child from falling off the chair and provides a safer environment for the seizure to occur. Attempting to open the jaw can cause harm or injury. Calling out for assistance is important but should follow the immediate action of moving the child to the floor. Placing a pillow under the child’s head is not recommended as it may lead to airway obstruction or further injury during the seizure.

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