Nursing Elites

1. The child has been admitted for a sickle cell crisis. What would the nurse do first to provide adequate pain management?

• A. Administer a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) as ordered.
• B. Use guided imagery and therapeutic touch.
• C. Administer meperidine as ordered.
• D. Initiate pain assessment with a standardized pain scale.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Initiating pain assessment with a standardized pain scale is crucial in managing pain effectively during a sickle cell crisis. This step allows the nurse to objectively evaluate the child's pain level and tailor the pain management plan accordingly. Administering medication without a proper assessment could lead to inappropriate pain management. Using guided imagery and therapeutic touch may be beneficial as adjunct therapies but should not replace the initial pain assessment. Meperidine is not typically the first-line choice for pain management in sickle cell crisis due to its potential for neurotoxic metabolites.

2. After instituting ordered measures to reduce the fever in a 3-year-old with fever and vomiting, what nursing action is most important for the nurse in the emergency department to take?

• A. Preventing shivering
• B. Restricting oral fluids
• C. Measuring output hourly
• D. Taking vital signs hourly

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Preventing shivering is crucial in this situation as it can increase the body temperature and counteract the effects of antipyretic measures aimed at reducing the fever. Shivering generates heat, potentially worsening the fever. Restricting oral fluids (Choice B) is not appropriate as fluid intake is important to prevent dehydration, especially in a child who has been vomiting. Measuring output hourly (Choice C) and taking vital signs hourly (Choice D) are important nursing actions but not as critical as preventing shivering in this scenario. Therefore, the most important nursing action is to prevent shivering to aid in fever reduction and management.

3. A healthcare provider is assessing a 2-year-old child with suspected Down syndrome. What characteristic physical feature is the healthcare provider likely to observe?

• A. Epicanthal folds
• B. Webbed neck
• C. Enlarged head
• D. Polydactyly

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Epicanthal folds are a common physical feature seen in individuals with Down syndrome. These are folds of skin that cover the inner corners of the eyes. Webbed neck (Choice B) is associated with Turner syndrome, not Down syndrome. Enlarged head (Choice C) is not a typical physical characteristic of Down syndrome. Polydactyly (Choice D) is the presence of extra fingers or toes, which is not specifically related to Down syndrome.

4. What explanation should the nurse provide to the parents of a 6-month-old infant diagnosed with cystic fibrosis?

• A. It is a condition affecting the respiratory and digestive systems.
• B. It is an autoimmune disorder affecting multiple organs.
• C. It is a genetic disorder that can be managed with medication.
• D. It is a condition caused by prenatal exposure to toxins.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that primarily affects the respiratory and digestive systems. It results in the production of thick, sticky mucus that can clog the lungs and obstruct the pancreas. This explanation is crucial for parents to understand the impact of the condition on their child's health. Choice B is incorrect because cystic fibrosis is not an autoimmune disorder. Choice C is partially correct in that cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder, but it requires a comprehensive management approach beyond just medication. Choice D is incorrect as cystic fibrosis is not caused by prenatal exposure to toxins but rather by inheriting specific genetic mutations.

5. While caring for a 5-year-old child hospitalized for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), what is the priority nursing intervention?

• A. Administering antibiotics
• B. Preventing infection
• C. Providing nutritional support
• D. Managing pain

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is preventing infection due to their compromised immune system. Children undergoing treatment for ALL are highly susceptible to infections, making infection prevention crucial for the child's well-being and treatment success. Administering antibiotics, though important in specific cases, is not the priority in this scenario. Providing nutritional support and managing pain are significant aspects of care but take a back seat to infection prevention in this situation.

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