how should a nurse assess pain in a nonverbal child

HESI LPN

HESI PN Nutrition Practice Exam

1. How should pain be assessed in a nonverbal child?

A. Ask the parents about the child’s usual behavior
B. Observe the child’s facial expressions and body movements
C. Measure the child’s blood pressure
D. Use a pain rating scale for older children

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Observing the nonverbal child's facial expressions and body movements is crucial in assessing pain. Nonverbal children may not be able to communicate their discomfort verbally, making it essential to rely on physical cues. Asking parents about the child's usual behavior (choice A) may provide some insight but observing the child directly is more direct and reliable. Measuring blood pressure (choice C) is not typically a direct method for assessing pain in nonverbal children. Using a pain rating scale designed for older children (choice D) is also inappropriate for nonverbal children who cannot participate in such self-reporting tools.

2. What is the main function of proteins in the body?

A. They provide structural components for the body.
B. They assist in the absorption of vitamins.
C. They help with the transport of nutrients in the blood.
D. They help maintain fluid balance in the body.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The main function of proteins in the body is to provide structural components like muscles, skin, and bones. Proteins are essential for growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues. While proteins play a role in various physiological functions, their primary function is not to assist in the absorption of vitamins (Choice B), help with the transport of nutrients in the blood (Choice C), or maintain fluid balance (Choice D).

3. You have been asked to help a top nutrition researcher conduct human experiments on vitamin C. As the subjects walk into the laboratory, you distribute all the vitamin C pill bottles to the girls and all the placebo pill bottles to the boys. What should you have done?

A. Giving all the boys the vitamin C and the girls the placebo, and telling them what they were getting.
B. Distributing the bottles randomly, randomizing the subjects, and telling them what they were getting.
C. Telling the subjects which group they were in, but preventing yourself from knowing the contents of the pill bottles.
D. Preventing yourself from knowing what is in the pill bottles, and distributing the bottles randomly to the subjects.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct approach in a scientific experiment is to prevent yourself from knowing the contents of the pill bottles and distribute them randomly to the subjects. This randomization helps to avoid bias and ensures that the results are not influenced by preconceived notions. Option A is incorrect because it introduces gender bias by assigning pills based on gender. Option B is incorrect as it mentions telling the subjects what they are getting, which could lead to placebo effects. Option C is incorrect as it suggests disclosing group information to the subjects, which can also introduce bias.

4. How is gastroesophageal reflux (GER) typically treated in infants?

A. Keeping the infant NPO
B. Thickening the formula or breast milk with cereal
C. Placing the infant to sleep on the side
D. Switching the infant to cow's milk

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Thickening the formula or breast milk with cereal is a common treatment for gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in infants. By adding cereal, the feedings become heavier, making it less likely for the stomach contents to reflux. Keeping the infant NPO (nothing by mouth) is not typically necessary for GER treatment and might not be appropriate. Placing the infant to sleep on the side is not recommended due to the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Switching the infant to cow's milk is also not a recommended treatment for GER as it can exacerbate symptoms due to its protein content.

5. What is a key sign of meningitis in an infant?

A. Increased appetite
B. Bulging fontanel
C. Decreased respiratory rate
D. Elevated blood pressure

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A bulging fontanel is a key sign of meningitis in infants, indicating increased intracranial pressure due to inflammation of the meninges. This can lead to the fontanel bulging. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Increased appetite is not typically associated with meningitis in infants; instead, they may have poor feeding. A decreased respiratory rate is not a common sign of meningitis in infants. Elevated blood pressure is also not a typical finding in infants with meningitis.