Nursing Elites

1. The mother of an 11-year-old boy with juvenile arthritis tells the nurse, 'I really don’t want my son to become dependent on pain medication, so I only allow him to take it when he is really hurting.' Which information is most important for the nurse to provide this mother?

• A. Encouraging the child to rest when he experiences pain
• B. Encouraging quiet activities like watching television as a pain distractor
• C. Suggesting the use of hot baths as an alternative to pain medication
• D. Explaining that giving pain medication around the clock helps control the pain

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The nurse should educate the mother that giving pain medication around the clock helps maintain a consistent level of pain control, preventing severe pain episodes and improving the child's quality of life. It is essential to manage pain proactively rather than waiting for the child to be in severe pain before administering medication. Choices A, B, and C do not address the importance of proactive pain management and maintaining a consistent level of pain control. Encouraging rest, quiet activities, or hot baths as distractions or alternatives may not provide adequate pain relief for the child with juvenile arthritis, and they do not address the underlying issue of effective pain management.

2. The caregiver is providing discharge instructions to the parents of a 6-month-old infant who was hospitalized for bronchiolitis. Which statement by the parents indicates a correct understanding of the instructions?

• A. We should keep our baby away from people with colds
• B. We should continue giving the prescribed medication even if our baby seems better
• C. We should avoid giving solid foods to help with recovery
• D. We can place our baby to sleep on their back to help with breathing

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Keeping the infant away from people with colds is crucial to prevent the spread of respiratory infections, especially for infants recently hospitalized with bronchiolitis. This precaution helps protect the baby from further illnesses and promotes recovery. The other choices are incorrect because it is important to complete the prescribed medication course even if the baby seems better to ensure the infection is fully treated (Choice B). Solid foods are usually introduced around six months of age, so avoiding them entirely may not be necessary (Choice C). Placing the baby to sleep on their back is a safe sleep practice to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) but may not directly help with breathing in the context of bronchiolitis (Choice D).

3. While teaching a parenting class to new parents, the nurse describes the needs of infants and toddlers regarding discipline and limit setting. What is the most important reason for implementing such parenting behaviors?

• A. Children need help in developing social skills.
• B. This age group fears loss of self-control.
• C. They provide the child with a sense of security.
• D. Children must learn to deal with authority.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Implementing discipline and limit setting for infants and toddlers is primarily important as it provides them with a sense of security. This sense of security is crucial for their emotional and psychological development, helping them feel safe and supported as they explore the world around them. Choice A is incorrect because while developing social skills is important, the primary reason for discipline and limit setting in this context is to provide security. Choice B is incorrect as it does not address the main reason for implementing discipline and limit setting. Choice D is incorrect as the primary focus is not about dealing with authority at this early stage of development.

4. Which nursing intervention is most important to assist in detecting hypopituitarism and hyperpituitarism in children?

• A. Carefully recording the height and weight of children to detect inappropriate growth.
• B. Performing head circumference measurements on infants under one year of age.
• C. Assessing for behavioral problems at home and school by interviewing the parents.
• D. Noting tracked weight gain without a gain in height on a growth chart.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Recording the height and weight of children is crucial in detecting growth abnormalities like hypopituitarism and hyperpituitarism. Inappropriate growth patterns, such as disproportionate weight gain or stunted height, can be indicative of these conditions. Regular monitoring of height and weight is a fundamental nursing intervention that can aid in the early identification and management of pituitary-related disorders in children.

5. A 6-year-old boy with bronchial asthma takes the beta-adrenergic agonist agent albuterol (Proventil). The child's mother tells the nurse that she uses this medication to open her son's airway when he is having trouble breathing. What is the nurse's best response?

• A. Recommend that the mother bring the child in for immediate evaluation
• B. Advise the mother that overuse of the drug may cause chronic bronchitis
• C. Assure the mother that she is using the medication correctly
• D. Confirm that the medication helps to reduce airway inflammation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The nurse's priority is to reassure the mother that she is using albuterol correctly to open her son's airways during episodes of difficulty breathing. This reassurance helps build trust and ensures that the child receives the intended benefit of the medication. The answer choice recommending immediate evaluation (A) is not appropriate at this point as the mother is using the medication as prescribed. Advising about overuse causing chronic bronchitis (B) is incorrect and may cause unnecessary alarm. Confirming that the medication helps reduce airway inflammation (D) is not the best response because albuterol is a beta-adrenergic agonist used primarily for bronchodilation in acute asthma exacerbations, rather than for reducing inflammation.

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