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. What do mortality statistics describe?

• A. Disease occurring regularly within a geographic location
• B. The number of individuals who have died over a specific period
• C. The prevalence of specific illness in the population at a particular time
• D. Disease occurring in more than the number of expected cases in a community

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Mortality statistics describe the number of individuals who have died over a specific period, providing insight into public health concerns.

3. Which characteristic best describes the fine motor skills of an infant at age 5 months?

• A. Neat pincer grasp
• B. Strong grasp reflex
• C. Builds a tower of two cubes
• D. Able to grasp object voluntarily

Correct answer: D

Rationale: By 5 months, infants develop the ability to grasp objects voluntarily, showing improved motor control. The neat pincer grasp and building towers are skills that develop later.

4. A young mother asks if her 9-month-old can begin drinking cow’s milk instead of formula. You explain that:

• A. Cow’s milk is easier to digest than formula
• B. Breast milk or formula should be used for now because whole cow’s milk is not recommended for infants under 1 year
• C. As long as whole milk is given and not skim milk, it is okay
• D. Cow’s milk will decrease the chance of iron deficiency anemia

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Breast milk or formula should be used for now because whole cow’s milk is not recommended for infants under 1 year. Cow’s milk is not suitable for infants under 1 year of age as it lacks essential nutrients like iron and can lead to iron deficiency. Therefore, it is important to continue with breast milk or formula to ensure the baby's nutritional needs are met. Choice A is incorrect as cow’s milk is not easier to digest than formula for infants. Choice C is incorrect as the type of milk, whether whole or skim, is not the primary concern at this age. Choice D is incorrect as cow’s milk can actually increase the risk of iron deficiency anemia in infants.

5. A health care provider prescribes feedings of 1 to 2 oz Pedialyte every 3 hours and to advance to 1/2 strength Similac with iron as tolerated postoperatively for an infant who had a pyloromyotomy. The nurse should decide to advance the feeding if which occurs?

• A. The infant's IV line has infiltrated.
• B. The infant has not voided since surgery.
• C. The infant's mother states the infant is tolerating the feeding okay.
• D. The infant is taking the Pedialyte without vomiting or distention.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The decision to advance feedings after a pyloromyotomy is based on the infant's ability to tolerate the current feedings without vomiting or abdominal distention. Ensuring the infant can keep down Pedialyte is the key indicator for moving to the next stage of feeding. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not directly relate to the infant's ability to tolerate the feeding. An infiltrated IV line, lack of voiding, or the mother's statement do not provide direct information on the infant's tolerance to the feeding, unlike the absence of vomiting and distention.

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