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. When checking the intravenous (IV) site on a child, the nurse should take which action?

• A. Look at the site.
• B. Ask the child if the site hurts.
• C. Look at the site while palpating the area.
• D. Take all the tape off, assess the site, and redress.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Looking at and palpating the IV site helps assess for signs of infiltration or infection, such as swelling, redness, or pain. Simply looking or asking the child may miss subtle signs, and removing all the tape unnecessarily disrupts the site.

3. Superficial palpation of the abdomen is often perceived by the child as tickling. Which measure by the nurse is most likely to minimize this sensation and promote relaxation?

• A. Palpate another area simultaneously
• B. Ask the child not to laugh or move
• C. Begin with deeper palpation and gradually progress to superficial palpation
• D. Have the child help with palpation by placing his or her hand over the palpating hand

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Allowing the child to place their hand over the nurse's hand helps reduce the tickling sensation and increases the child's comfort during the examination.

4. Which laboratory test would be most important for the nurse to assess when caring for a toddler suspected of having cystic fibrosis?

• A. Liver enzymes
• B. Serum calcium
• C. Sweat chloride test
• D. Urine creatinine

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The sweat chloride test is the primary diagnostic test for cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is characterized by abnormal transport of chloride and sodium across epithelial cell membranes, leading to increased chloride in sweat. This test is crucial for diagnosing cystic fibrosis in suspected cases. Liver enzymes (Choice A), serum calcium (Choice B), and urine creatinine (Choice D) are not specific tests for cystic fibrosis and would not provide the necessary information for diagnosis in this case.

5. Which type of play would be most beneficial for preparing a preschool-age child for upcoming surgery to reduce the stress of the event?

• A. Cooperative play
• B. Associative play
• C. Dramatic play
• D. Onlooker play

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Dramatic play involves role-playing, allowing children to act out scenarios and become more comfortable with them. This type of play can help reduce anxiety about upcoming events like surgery. Cooperative play involves working together towards a common goal, associative play involves loosely interacting with others, and onlooker play involves observing others play without actively participating. These types of play are not as directly related to preparing a child for surgery and reducing stress as dramatic play.

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