Nursing Elites

1. An infant with hydrocephalus is hospitalized for surgical placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Postoperative nursing care would include what?

• A. Monitor closely for signs of infection.
• B. Place the child with the operative side of the head up.
• C. Avoid pumping the shunt reservoir to maintain patency.
• D. Avoid maintaining a Trendelenburg position to decrease pressure on the shunt.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Postoperative nursing care for an infant with hydrocephalus who underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement includes monitoring closely for signs of infection, as infection is the greatest hazard in the postoperative period. Signs of cerebrospinal fluid infection to watch for include elevated temperature, poor feeding, vomiting, decreased responsiveness, and seizure activity. The child should be placed with the operative side of the head up to reduce pressure on the valve. The shunt reservoir should not be pumped to maintain patency, as this can disrupt its function. Maintaining a Trendelenburg position to decrease pressure on the shunt is contraindicated as it can lead to increased intracranial pressure and compromise the shunt's effectiveness.

2. Which physiological acid-base balance complication would be most important for the nurse to assess in a patient with diarrhea?

• A. High serum pH
• B. Normal serum pH
• C. Metabolic alkalosis
• D. Metabolic acidosis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is metabolic acidosis. Diarrhea can lead to the loss of bicarbonate, causing an imbalance in the acid-base status of the body, specifically resulting in metabolic acidosis. High serum pH (choice A) is incorrect as diarrhea-induced bicarbonate loss would lower pH, not increase it. Normal serum pH (choice B) is not the best answer as diarrhea can disrupt the acid-base balance. Metabolic alkalosis (choice C) is an alkaline state, which is less likely to be caused by diarrhea.

3. What laboratory finding should the nurse expect in a child with an excess of water?

• A. Decreased hematocrit
• B. High serum osmolality
• C. High urine specific gravity
• D. Increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN)

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Water excess typically leads to hemodilution, resulting in a decreased hematocrit. High serum osmolality and specific gravity would indicate dehydration, while elevated BUN could suggest renal impairment or dehydration, not fluid overload.

4. The nurse is caring for a child receiving chemotherapy with the following orders: Zantac 70 mg IV in normal saline 30 mL to infuse over 30 minutes. The nurse should set the infusion pump to deliver how many mL/hour?

• A. 60 mL/hour
• B. 45 mL/hour
• C. 30 mL/hour
• D. 15 mL/hour

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 60 mL/hour. The total volume to be infused is 30 mL over 30 minutes. To calculate the infusion rate in mL/hour, divide the total volume by the total time in hours. In this case, 30 mL / 0.5 hours = 60 mL/hour. Choice B, 45 mL/hour, is incorrect as it does not correspond to the calculated infusion rate. Choices C and D, 30 mL/hour and 15 mL/hour respectively, are also incorrect based on the calculation.

5. What is the therapeutic intervention that provides the best chance of survival for a child with cirrhosis?

• A. Nutritional support
• B. Liver transplantation
• C. Blood component therapy
• D. Treatment with corticosteroids

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Liver transplantation offers the best chance of survival for children with cirrhosis, especially in advanced stages where the liver can no longer function effectively. Cirrhosis is a late stage of scarring of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions, such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism. While nutritional support, blood component therapy, and corticosteroids may be part of the treatment plan to manage symptoms and complications, they do not address the underlying cause of cirrhosis or provide a cure like liver transplantation does.

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