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. What is important to include in discharge instructions for parents of a child who has had a tonsillectomy?

• A. Encourage the child to gargle with salt water
• B. Encourage fluid intake
• C. Provide the child with hard candy
• D. Apply heat to the neck

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Encouraging fluid intake is essential in the discharge instructions for a child who has had a tonsillectomy. It helps keep the throat moist, aids in preventing dehydration, and promotes healing. Gargling with salt water is not typically recommended after a tonsillectomy as it may irritate the surgical site. Providing the child with hard candy is not advisable as it can irritate the throat and potentially cause harm. Applying heat to the neck is also not recommended post-tonsillectomy as it can increase swelling and discomfort in the surgical area.

3. A 2-year-old child with a diagnosis of hemophilia is admitted to the hospital. What should the nurse include in the care plan?

• A. Encourage participation in contact sports
• B. Use a soft toothbrush for oral care
• C. Administer nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• D. Administer aspirin for pain

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to use a soft toothbrush for oral care. Children with hemophilia have a decreased ability to form blood clots, leading to prolonged bleeding. Using a soft toothbrush helps prevent trauma to the gums and oral mucosa, reducing the risk of bleeding. Encouraging participation in contact sports (Choice A) is contraindicated in hemophiliac patients due to the high risk of injury and bleeding. Administering nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Choice C) and aspirin (Choice D) should be avoided in hemophilia as they can further increase the risk of bleeding due to their antiplatelet effects.

4. A nurse in the emergency department observes large welts and scars on the back of a child who has been admitted for an asthma attack. What additional information must be included in the nurse’s assessment?

• A. History of an injury
• B. Signs of child abuse
• C. Presence of food allergies
• D. Recent recovery from chickenpox

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Signs of child abuse. Large welts and scars on a child may be indicative of abuse, making it crucial for the nurse to assess and report any suspicions. Assessing the history of an injury (choice A) may not provide insight into the cause of the welts and scars as effectively as looking for signs of potential abuse. Food allergies (choice C) and recent recovery from chickenpox (choice D) are not directly relevant to the observation of welts and scars on the child's back.

5. Which observation made of the exposed abdomen is most indicative of pyloric stenosis?

• A. abdominal rigidity
• B. substernal retraction
• C. palpable olive-like mass
• D. marked distention of lower abdomen

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: palpable olive-like mass. In pyloric stenosis, a palpable olive-like mass can often be felt in the abdomen due to the hypertrophied pyloric muscle. This mass is a key characteristic finding in infants with pyloric stenosis. Choice A, abdominal rigidity, is more commonly associated with conditions like peritonitis. Choice B, substernal retraction, is not typically seen in pyloric stenosis but can be a sign of respiratory distress. Choice D, marked distention of the lower abdomen, is not specific to pyloric stenosis and can be present in various abdominal conditions.

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