Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is caring for a 10-year-old with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. As part of the plan of care, the nurse focuses on maintaining his cardiopulmonary function. Which intervention would the nurse implement to best promote maximum chest expansion?

• A. Deep-breathing exercises
• B. Upright positioning
• C. Coughing
• D. Chest percussion

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Upright positioning is the optimal intervention to promote maximum chest expansion in a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. By placing the child in an upright position, gravity can assist in expanding the chest cavity, facilitating better lung expansion and improving breathing efficiency. Deep-breathing exercises may be beneficial but are not as effective in maximizing chest expansion as upright positioning. Coughing and chest percussion focus more on airway clearance and are not directly aimed at promoting chest expansion.

2. What is an important nursing responsibility when a dysrhythmia is suspected?

• A. order an immediate electrocardiogram
• B. count the radial pulse every 1 minute for five times
• C. count the apical pulse for 1 full minute, and compare the rate with the radial pulse rate
• D. have someone else take the radial pulse simultaneously with the apical pulse

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a dysrhythmia is suspected, an important nursing responsibility is to count the apical pulse for 1 full minute and then compare this rate with the radial pulse rate. This method helps in identifying dysrhythmias as it allows for a direct comparison of the heart's rhythm at two different pulse points. Ordering an immediate electrocardiogram (Choice A) may be necessary but should not be the first step. Counting the radial pulse multiple times (Choice B) is not as accurate as comparing rates directly. Having someone else take the radial pulse simultaneously (Choice D) may introduce errors and inconsistencies in the measurement.

3. You are called to a residence for a "sick" 5-year-old child. When you arrive and begin your assessment, you note that the child is unconscious with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min and a heart rate of 50 beats/min. Management of this child should consist of

• A. 100% oxygen via a non-rebreathing mask and rapid transport
• B. positive pressure ventilations with a BVM device and rapid transport
• C. chest compressions, artificial ventilations, and rapid transport
• D. back blows and chest thrusts while attempting artificial ventilations

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a pediatric patient with an unconscious state, a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min, and a heart rate of 50 beats/min, the appropriate management involves chest compressions, artificial ventilations, and rapid transport. These signs indicate severe respiratory and circulatory compromise, requiring immediate intervention to support breathing and circulation. Choice A (100% oxygen via a non-rebreathing mask) is not sufficient in this critical situation as the child requires more than just oxygen supplementation. Choice B (positive pressure ventilations with a BVM device) may be needed, but chest compressions are crucial in this scenario due to the presence of bradycardia. Choice D (back blows and chest thrusts) are not indicated for an unconscious child with respiratory and circulatory compromise; instead, immediate chest compressions are necessary to provide circulatory support.

4. The nurse is counseling a young couple who in 2 months are having their third baby. The nurse uses Von Bertalanffy's general system theory applied to families to analyze the family structure. Which best describes the main emphasis of this theory and its application to family dynamics?

• A. It emphasizes the family as a system with interdependent, interacting parts that endure over time to ensure the survival, continuity, and growth of its components.
• B. It emphasizes the social system of the family, such as the organization or structure of the family and how the structure relates to its function.
• C. It emphasizes the developmental stages that all families go through, beginning with marriage; the longitudinal career of the family is also known as the family life cycle.
• D. It addresses how families respond to stress and how the family copes with stress as a group and how each individual member copes.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Von Bertalanffy's general system theory applied to families emphasizes the family as a system with interdependent, interacting parts that endure over time to ensure the survival, continuity, and growth of its components. This theory focuses on viewing the family as a dynamic system where each member's actions and behaviors impact the whole family unit. Choice B is incorrect as it focuses solely on the social system of the family, while Von Bertalanffy's theory looks at the family as a whole system. Choice C is incorrect as it discusses family developmental stages, which is not the main emphasis of Von Bertalanffy's theory. Choice D is also incorrect as it only addresses how families respond to stress, which is a narrower focus compared to the broader system view of Von Bertalanffy's theory.

5. What information should be included in the preoperative plan of care for an infant with myelomeningocele?

• A. Positioning the infant supine with a pillow under the buttocks
• B. Covering the sac with saline-soaked nonadhesive gauze
• C. Wrapping the infant snugly in a blanket
• D. Applying a diaper to prevent fecal soiling of the sac

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Covering the sac with saline-soaked nonadhesive gauze is essential in the preoperative care of an infant with myelomeningocele. This practice helps prevent infection and maintains moisture around the sac before surgery, promoting optimal healing outcomes. Positioning the infant supine with a pillow under the buttocks may be uncomfortable and unnecessary. Wrapping the infant snugly in a blanket does not address the specific care needs of the myelomeningocele. Applying a diaper over the sac can increase the risk of infection and should be avoided in this case.

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