Nursing Elites

1. The clinic nurse is teaching parents about physiologic anemia that occurs in infants. What statement should the nurse include about the cause of physiologic anemia?

• A. Maternally derived iron stores are depleted in the first 2 months.
• B. Fetal hemoglobin results in a shortened survival of red blood cells.
• C. The production of adult hemoglobin decreases in the first year of life.
• D. Low levels of fetal hemoglobin depress the production of erythropoietin.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Physiologic anemia is caused by the transition from fetal to adult hemoglobin, with fetal hemoglobin having a shorter lifespan, leading to a temporary decrease in red blood cells.

2. The clinic nurse is reviewing statistics on infant mortality for the United States versus other countries. Compared with other countries that have a population of at least 25 million, the nurse makes which determination?

• A. The United States is ranked last among 27 countries
• B. The United States is ranked similar to 20 other developed countries
• C. The United States is ranked in the middle of 20 other developed countries
• D. The United States is ranked highest among 27 other industrialized countries

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The United States is ranked last among developed countries with similar populations in terms of infant mortality rates, highlighting a significant public health concern.

3. 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.

4. A 3-year-old child, previously potty-trained, becomes a bed-wetter again during a hospital stay. Which explanation should the nurse provide to the parents?

• A. “Your child is no longer potty-trained and will need to be retrained when she goes home.”
• B. “The child may have developed a bladder infection in the hospital. I will notify the doctor.”
• C. “Preschool children may regress in their behaviors when they are ill in the hospital but should return to normal when they go back home.”
• D. “Don’t worry about it, she is fine.”

Correct answer: C

Rationale: During a hospital stay, preschool children may exhibit regression in behaviors such as bed-wetting due to stress. It is important for parents to understand that this behavior is a common response to the hospital environment and should resolve once the child is back home. Therefore, the correct explanation for the nurse to provide to the parents is choice C. Choice A is incorrect because it inaccurately states that the child is no longer potty-trained. Choice B is incorrect as it assumes a medical issue without evidence. Choice D is incorrect as it dismisses the parents' concerns without addressing the underlying cause of the behavior.

5. What is the primary consideration of susceptibility to infections in neonates?

• A. Increased humoral immunity
• B. Overwhelming anti-inflammatory response
• C. Diminished nonspecific and specific immunity
• D. Excessive levels of immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary consideration of susceptibility to infections in neonates is their diminished nonspecific and specific immunity. Neonates lack the ability to mount a robust immune response, making them vulnerable to infections. Choice A is incorrect because neonates do not have increased humoral immunity; rather, their humoral immunity is diminished. Choice B is incorrect as neonates do not have an overwhelming anti-inflammatory response; instead, their immune responses are generally weakened. Choice D is incorrect because neonates have diminished or absent levels of immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M, contributing to their susceptibility to infections.

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