Nursing Elites

1. The mother of a 6-year-old boy who has recently had surgery for the removal of his tonsils and adenoids complains that he has begun sucking his thumb again. Which defense mechanism should the nurse include when responding to the mother?

• A. Repression
• B. Regression
• C. Rationalization
• D. Fantasy

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Regression. Regression is a common defense mechanism where a child reverts to an earlier stage of development, such as thumb-sucking, to cope with stress. In this scenario, the 6-year-old boy is using thumb-sucking (a behavior typical of earlier developmental stages) as a way to deal with the stress of surgery. Repression (choice A) involves unconsciously blocking out thoughts or feelings, which is not applicable in this case. Rationalization (choice C) is a defense mechanism where illogical or unreasonable explanations are provided to justify behavior, which is not relevant here. Fantasy (choice D) refers to the use of imagination to escape from reality, which is also not the appropriate defense mechanism for the situation described.

2. During a funduscopic examination of a school-age child, the nurse notes a brilliant, uniform red reflex in both eyes. The nurse should recognize that this is which?

• A. A normal finding
• B. A sign of a possible visual defect and a need for vision screening
• C. An abnormal finding requiring referral to an ophthalmologist
• D. A sign of small hemorrhages, which usually resolve spontaneously

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A brilliant, uniform red reflex in both eyes is a normal finding, indicating that the retina is healthy and there are no significant obstructions in the visual pathway.

3. What is the narrowing of the preputial opening of the foreskin called?

• A. Chordee
• B. Phimosis
• C. Epispadias
• D. Hypospadias

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Phimosis is the condition where the foreskin cannot be fully retracted over the glans penis due to a narrowing of the preputial opening. Chordee, epispadias, and hypospadias are different conditions involving the penis's structure.

4. A child is refusing to use the potty and having accidents, even though he has achieved toilet training. This is an example of which type of behavior?

• A. Positive reinforcement
• B. Desensitization
• C. Phobia
• D. Regression

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, regression. Regression occurs when a child reverts to an earlier behavior, such as having accidents after being successfully toilet trained. This regression often happens due to stress or changes in routine. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because positive reinforcement involves encouraging desired behavior, desensitization is a process of reducing sensitivity to a stimulus, and phobia is an intense fear or aversion to a specific object or situation, none of which directly apply to the described situation of the child having accidents after being toilet trained.

5. A 12-year-old girl has recently begun menstruating and is well into puberty. The child is visiting the health care provider today for a routine physical examination. Which finding should cause concern in the nurse?

• A. Breasts of slightly different sizes
• B. Irregular periods
• C. Vulvar irritation
• D. Supernumerary nipple

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Vulvar irritation may indicate an infection or other issues and should be further evaluated. In a pubescent girl, breasts of slightly different sizes and irregular periods are common variations of normal development. Supernumerary nipple, an extra nipple, is a benign condition that is not typically concerning during puberty.

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