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. After the family, which has the greatest influence on providing continuity between generations?

• A. Race
• B. School
• C. Social Class
• D. Government

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Schools play a significant role in providing continuity between generations by imparting cultural values, social norms, and knowledge to children.

3. What laboratory finding should the nurse expect in a child with an excess of water?

• A. Decreased hematocrit
• B. High serum osmolality
• C. High urine specific gravity
• D. Increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN)

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Water excess typically leads to hemodilution, resulting in a decreased hematocrit. High serum osmolality and specific gravity would indicate dehydration, while elevated BUN could suggest renal impairment or dehydration, not fluid overload.

4. The nurse on a pediatric unit is writing guidelines for age-specific preparation of children for procedures based on developmental characteristics. What guideline is accurate?

• A. Inform toddlers about an upcoming procedure 2 hours before the procedure is to be performed.
• B. Inform school-age children about an upcoming procedure immediately before the procedure is scheduled to occur.
• C. Discourage parent presence during procedures on infants and toddlers.
• D. Use simple diagrams of anatomy and physiology to explain a procedure to a school-age child.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Using simple diagrams helps school-age children understand what to expect in a procedure, catering to their developmental level and reducing anxiety. Informing toddlers too early can increase anxiety, and parents' presence is generally comforting, not discouraging.

5. A mother reports to the nurse that her 6-year-old child is highly active, irritable, irregular in habits, and adapts slowly to new routines, people, or situations. Which pattern of temperament would best describe the child?

• A. The 'easy' child
• B. The 'difficult' child
• C. The 'slow-to-warm-up' child
• D. The 'fast-to-warm-up' child

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The 'difficult' child is the best way to describe the child in this scenario. This temperament is characterized by high activity levels, irritability, irregular habits, and difficulty adapting to changes. Choice A, the 'easy' child, is known for being generally positive and adaptable. Choice C, the 'slow-to-warm-up' child, typically needs time to adapt to new situations but is not necessarily highly active or irritable. Choice D, the 'fast-to-warm-up' child, adapts quickly to new situations, which contrasts with the child's slow adaptation mentioned in the scenario.

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