Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is assessing a 9-year-old girl with a history of tuberculosis at age 6 years. She has been losing weight and has no appetite. The nurse suspects Addison disease based on which assessment findings?

• A. Arrested height and increased weight
• B. Thin, fragile skin and multiple bruises
• C. Hyperpigmentation and hypotension
• D. Blurred vision and enuresis

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Hyperpigmentation and hypotension. These findings are classic signs of Addison disease, caused by adrenal insufficiency. Hyperpigmentation results from increased ACTH stimulating melanin production, and hypotension occurs due to mineralocorticoid deficiency. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Arrested height and increased weight are not typical of Addison disease. Thin, fragile skin and multiple bruises are seen in conditions like Cushing's syndrome, not Addison disease. Blurred vision and enuresis are not characteristic symptoms of Addison disease.

2. A 6-year-old child with asthma is admitted to the hospital with an acute exacerbation. What is the priority nursing intervention?

• A. Administering a bronchodilator
• B. Administering an antihistamine
• C. Administering a corticosteroid
• D. Administering oxygen

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering a bronchodilator is the priority intervention for a child experiencing an acute asthma exacerbation. Bronchodilators help to dilate the airways, making breathing easier and relieving acute symptoms of asthma. Antihistamines are not the first-line treatment for asthma exacerbations; they are more commonly used for allergic reactions. Corticosteroids are beneficial in reducing inflammation in asthma but are usually administered after bronchodilators to provide long-term control. Oxygen therapy may be necessary in severe cases of asthma exacerbation, but bronchodilators take precedence in improving airway patency and respiratory distress.

3. A 12-month-old infant has become immunosuppressed during a course of chemotherapy. When preparing the parents for the infant’s discharge, what information should the nurse give concerning the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) immunization?

• A. It should not be given until the infant reaches 2 years of age.
• B. Infants who are receiving chemotherapy should not be given these vaccines.
• C. It should be given to protect the infant from contracting any of these diseases.
• D. The parents should discuss this with their healthcare provider at the next visit.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Live vaccines, like the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, should not be administered to immunosuppressed infants, such as those undergoing chemotherapy. The weakened immune system of these infants may not be able to handle live vaccines safely, potentially leading to severe complications. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid giving live vaccines like MMR to infants receiving chemotherapy. Choice A is incorrect as delaying the MMR vaccine until the infant reaches 2 years of age is not the main concern in this scenario. Choice C is incorrect because although MMR vaccination is important for disease prevention, it should not be given to immunosuppressed infants. Choice D is incorrect as immediate action is needed to prevent potential harm from live vaccines in immunosuppressed infants.

4. A young child has coarctation of the aorta. What does the nurse expect to identify when taking the child’s vital signs?

• A. A weak radial pulse
• B. An irregular heartbeat
• C. A bounding femoral pulse
• D. An elevated radial blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In coarctation of the aorta, there is narrowing of the aorta leading to decreased blood flow distal to the constriction. This results in a weak or delayed femoral pulse and a relatively weaker radial pulse compared to the femoral pulse. An irregular heartbeat (choice B) is not a typical finding in coarctation of the aorta. A bounding femoral pulse (choice C) would not be expected due to the decreased blood flow beyond the constriction. An elevated radial blood pressure (choice D) is not a common characteristic of coarctation of the aorta; instead, blood pressure may be higher in the upper extremities compared to the lower extremities due to the constriction.

5. What definitive diagnostic procedure does the nurse expect to be used to confirm the diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease in a 1-month-old infant?

• A. Colonoscopy
• B. Rectal biopsy
• C. Multiple saline enemas
• D. Fiberoptic nasoenteric tube

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Rectal biopsy is the definitive diagnostic procedure for Hirschsprung disease in infants. This procedure reveals the absence of ganglion cells in the affected bowel segment, which is a hallmark of Hirschsprung disease. Colonoscopy (Choice A) is not typically used for diagnosing Hirschsprung disease due to the risk of not accurately reaching the affected segment. Multiple saline enemas (Choice C) are not used to confirm the diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease. Fiberoptic nasoenteric tube (Choice D) is not a standard diagnostic procedure for Hirschsprung disease and does not provide the necessary information to confirm the absence of ganglion cells in the affected bowel segment.

Similar Questions