Nursing Elites

1. The mother of a toddler asks the nurse when she will know that her child is ready to start toilet training. The nurse tells the mother that which observation is a sign of physical readiness?

• A. The child no longer has temper tantrums.
• B. The child can remove his or her own clothing.
• C. The child has been walking for 2 years.
• D. The child can eat using a fork and knife.

Correct answer: The child can remove his or her own clothing.

Rationale: Signs of physical readiness for toilet training include the child's ability to remove his or her own clothing. This ability indicates the child has developed the necessary fine motor skills to manage clothing during toilet training. The other choices are incorrect because temper tantrums, walking for a specific period, and using utensils are not indicators of physical readiness for toilet training.

2. A client complains that her skin is redder than normal. The nurse notes the client’s skin, documents hyperemia, and explains to the client that this condition is caused by which factor?

• A. Constriction of the underlying blood vessels
• B. An increased amount of bilirubin in the blood
• C. Increased perfusion of the surrounding tissues
• D. Excess blood in the dilated superficial capillaries

Correct answer: Excess blood in the dilated superficial capillaries

Rationale: Hyperemia is an excess of blood in a part of the body. The skin over a hyperemic area usually becomes reddened or warm. The condition is caused by increased blood flow, local relaxation of arterioles, or obstruction of the outflow of blood from an area. Choice A is incorrect because constriction of blood vessels would lead to decreased blood flow, not excess blood. Choice B is incorrect as an increased amount of bilirubin in the blood is related to jaundice, not hyperemia. Choice C is incorrect because increased perfusion of the surrounding tissues would cause redness, not hyperemia.

3. The LPN receives a call from a mother caring for her eight-month-old infant. The mother describes that the child has a low-grade fever and has teeth breaking through the gums. Which of the following measures would be inappropriate to recommend to the mother?

• A. Allow the child to chew on a cooled teething ring.
• B. Massage the child’s gums gently.
• C. Administer acetaminophen.
• D. Administer aspirin.

Correct answer: Administer aspirin.

Rationale: Administering aspirin would be inappropriate in this situation. Aspirin should not be recommended for children due to the increased risk of Reye’s syndrome, a serious condition. Choices A, B, and C are all appropriate measures for managing teething discomfort in infants. Allowing the child to chew on a cooled teething ring can help soothe the gums, massaging the child's gums gently can provide relief, and administering acetaminophen is a suitable option for pain relief in infants with teething discomfort. Aspirin is contraindicated in children with viral infections due to the risk of Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal condition affecting the brain and liver. Therefore, recommending aspirin to the mother would not be appropriate in this case.

4. The parents of an adolescent tell the school nurse that they are frustrated because their daughter has become self-centered, lazy, and irresponsible. The nurse should provide which response to the parents?

• A. That this is normal behavior for an adolescent
• B. That their daughter's behavior may be a part of adolescent development
• C. That this behavior could be a phase as the adolescent explores identity
• D. To restrict any social privileges until the behavior stops

Correct answer: That this is normal behavior for an adolescent

Rationale: During adolescence, identity formation is a significant developmental task. Adolescents may appear self-centered, lazy, or irresponsible as they focus on themselves and explore their identity. Erikson describes this phase as identity formation versus role confusion. It is common for frustrated parents to perceive teenagers this way. The adolescent needs time to introspect and develop a sense of self. Suggesting that the behavior requires a child psychologist is premature and not supported by normal adolescent development. Blaming the behavior on parental spoiling is also inaccurate and unhelpful. Restricting social privileges can lead to resentment and rebellion, rather than addressing the root of the behavior.

5. A nurse is preparing to measure a client’s calf circumference. The nurse performs this procedure by performing which action?

• A. Placing a tape measure around the widest point of the lower leg
• B. Measuring 2 inches above the knee and placing the tape measure around the client’s leg at this point
• C. Measuring 2 inches above the ankle and placing the tape measure around the client’s leg at this point
• D. Measuring 2 inches below the patella and placing the tape measure around the client’s leg at this point

Correct answer: Placing a tape measure around the widest point of the lower leg

Rationale: To measure a client’s calf circumference accurately, a nurse should place a non-stretchable tape measure around the widest point of the lower leg. It is crucial to ensure that the tape measure is positioned at the same number of centimeters down from a specific landmark, such as the patella, on both legs for consistency. Placing the tape measure 2 inches above the knee (Option B), 2 inches above the ankle (Option C), or 2 inches below the patella (Option D) would not provide an accurate measurement of the calf circumference. Therefore, these options are incorrect choices.

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