Nursing Elites

1. General guidelines when assessing a 2-year-old child with abdominal pain and adequate perfusion include:

• A. placing the child supine and palpating the abdomen.
• B. separating the child from the parent to ensure a reliable examination.
• C. examining the child in the parent's arms.
• D. palpating the painful area of the abdomen first.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When assessing a 2-year-old child with abdominal pain and adequate perfusion, it is essential to examine the child in the parent's arms. This approach can help maintain the child's comfort, keep them calm, and increase their cooperation during the assessment. Placing the child supine and palpating the abdomen (Choice A) can be distressing and uncomfortable for the child. Separating the child from the parent (Choice B) may cause additional stress and hinder the examination process. Palpating the painful area first (Choice D) can lead to increased discomfort and resistance from the child.

2. A 9-year-old girl was struck by a car while crossing the street. Your assessment reveals a large contusion over the left upper quadrant of her abdomen and signs of shock. Which of the following organs is MOST likely injured?

• A. Liver
• B. Kidney
• C. Pancreas
• D. Spleen

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The presence of a large contusion over the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, along with signs of shock, points towards a likely injury to the spleen, especially following trauma. The spleen is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen and is susceptible to injury due to its position and vulnerability to blunt trauma.

3. 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.'

4. 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.

5. The nurse is preparing to administer vitamin K to a newborn. The mother asks why this injection is necessary. What is the nurse's best response?

• A. It helps the baby's liver function properly.
• B. It prevents bleeding disorders in the newborn.
• C. It boosts the baby's immune system.
• D. It promotes the baby's growth and development.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Vitamin K is administered to newborns to prevent bleeding disorders since they have low levels of vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting. By providing this injection, the nurse ensures that the newborn has an adequate supply of vitamin K to support proper blood clotting and prevent potential bleeding complications. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because vitamin K's primary role in newborns is related to blood clotting and preventing bleeding, not liver function, immune system, or growth and development.

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