Nursing Elites

1. The nurse has just started assessing a young child who is febrile and appears ill. There is hyperextension of the child's head (opisthotonos) with pain on flexion. Which is the most appropriate action?

• A. Ask the parent when the neck was injured
• B. Refer for immediate medical evaluation
• C. Continue assessment to determine the cause of the neck pain
• D. Record head lag on the assessment record and continue the assessment of the child

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Opisthotonos with pain on flexion is a sign of possible meningitis or other serious neurological conditions, requiring immediate medical evaluation.

2. Frequent urine tests for specific gravity are required on a 6-month-old infant. What method is the most appropriate way to collect small amounts of urine for these tests?

• A. Apply a urine collection bag to the perineal area.
• B. Tape a small medicine cup inside of the diaper.
• C. Aspirate urine from cotton balls inside the diaper with a syringe without a needle.
• D. Use a syringe without a needle to aspirate urine from a superabsorbent disposable diaper.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Aspirating urine from cotton balls inside the diaper is a minimally invasive method and effective for collecting small amounts of urine. Using a collection bag can be more cumbersome, and other methods are not as effective for this age.

3. The nurse is performing an assessment on a 12-month-old infant. Which fine or gross motor developmental skill demonstrates the proximodistal acquisition of skills?

• A. Standing
• B. Sitting without assistance
• C. Fully developed pincer grasp
• D. Taking a few steps holding onto something

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The development of a pincer grasp reflects fine motor skills, which develop in a proximodistal pattern (from the center of the body outward).

4. A parent and 4-year-old child are waiting in an exam room when the nurse enters and greets them. Which activity that the nurse observes the child doing would best demonstrate the primary developmental task of the preschool-age child, according to Erikson?

• A. Reading a book
• B. Singing a song he learned at preschool
• C. Opening drawers in the room, pulling out supplies, and examining them
• D. Roughhousing with the parent

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. According to Erikson, the primary task of a preschool-aged child is to explore and assert control over their environment. This behavior is demonstrated by the child opening drawers, pulling out supplies, and examining them, showcasing curiosity and exploration. Choices A, B, and D do not align with the primary developmental task of a preschool-age child according to Erikson. Reading a book and singing a song are more passive activities, while roughhousing with the parent does not directly relate to exploration and asserting control over the environment.

5. Which of the following is the best indicator of a child's nutritional status?

• A. Weight
• B. Height
• C. Head circumference
• D. Mid-upper arm circumference

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Mid-upper arm circumference is a good indicator of muscle mass and fat stores, reflecting a child's nutritional status. It is particularly useful in assessing malnutrition, as it is less affected by fluid retention or dehydration compared to other anthropometric measurements. Weight can fluctuate due to factors like hydration status, making it less reliable as a sole indicator of nutritional status. Height reflects growth but may not directly indicate current nutritional status. Head circumference is more related to brain growth and development rather than overall nutritional status.

Similar Questions