Nursing Elites

1. Fred is a 12-year-old boy diagnosed with pneumococcal pneumonia. Which of the following would Nurse Nica expect to assess?

• A. Mild cough
• B. Slight fever
• C. Chest pain
• D. Bulging fontanel

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Chest pain is a common symptom seen in patients with pneumococcal pneumonia. It can result from inflammation of the pleura or irritation of the diaphragm due to the infection. While cough and fever are also common symptoms, chest pain is particularly significant in pneumonia cases as it can be a distressing symptom for the patient and may indicate complications or severity of the infection. Bulging fontanel, on the other hand, is more indicative of conditions affecting infants and is not typically associated with pneumococcal pneumonia in a 12-year-old boy.

2. Jaundice in children can be either pathological or physiological. Which of these will you consider as more serious?

• A. Jaundice seen within 24 hours of life
• B. Jaundice seen at the palms and soles
• C. Jaundice appearing after 24 hours of life
• D. Jaundice seen after 14 days of life

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Jaundice seen within 24 hours of life is considered more serious in children as it can indicate pathological causes such as hemolytic disease or sepsis, which require prompt evaluation and management to prevent complications. Jaundice appearing within 24 hours of life is concerning due to the higher likelihood of severe conditions, while jaundice seen at the palms and soles is more likely due to physiological causes such as breast milk jaundice. Jaundice appearing after 24 hours or after 14 days of life may still require evaluation but is less urgent compared to jaundice within the first 24 hours.

3. When using the Ballard gestational assessment tool on a newborn, which of the following tests should be performed after the first hour of birth, allowing the newborn to recover from the stress of birth?

• A. Arm recoil
• B. Square window sign
• C. Scarf sign
• D. Popliteal angle

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is Arm recoil. Arm recoil is slower in healthy but fatigued newborns after birth, making it best elicited after the first hour of birth when the baby has had time to recover from the stress of birth. This assessment helps evaluate neuromuscular maturity in newborns and is more accurate when performed after the initial recovery period. The other choices, Square window sign, Scarf sign, and Popliteal angle, are not specifically assessed using the Ballard gestational assessment tool and do not relate to the recovery period after birth.

4. What is the term for a condition where there is a failure of the pituitary to produce sufficient growth hormone to sustain normal growth in children, with 80% of cases being idiopathic? It may present with familial patterns, affecting males more than females.

• A. Cretinism
• B. Growth hormone deficiency
• C. Hypothyroidism
• D. Precocious puberty

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Growth hormone deficiency refers to a condition where there is inadequate production of growth hormone by the pituitary gland. This results in impaired growth in children. While 80% of cases are of unknown cause (idiopathic), some may have familial patterns. It is more common in males than females. Cretinism is a condition of severe hypothyroidism during infancy, not related to growth hormone. Hypothyroidism is a disorder involving low thyroid hormone levels, and precocious puberty is the early onset of puberty. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Growth hormone deficiency.'

5. What is the MOST appropriate method for assessing a small child's level of responsiveness?

• A. Palpate for a radial pulse.
• B. Shout at the child to see if they respond.
• C. Ask the parent about the child's level of responsiveness.
• D. Tap the child and shout, 'Are you okay?'

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When assessing a small child's level of responsiveness, the most appropriate method is to tap the child and shout, 'Are you okay?' This approach is more likely to elicit a response from the child, providing a direct assessment of their level of consciousness and responsiveness. Palpating for a radial pulse (Choice A) is not the most direct method for assessing responsiveness in a child. Shouting at the child (Choice B) may startle them and not provide an accurate assessment. Asking the parent (Choice C) does not directly evaluate the child's responsiveness.

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