Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is caring for a very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infant with a peripheral intravenous infusion. What nursing considerations regarding infiltration should be included in planning IV care?

• A. Infiltration is not solely related to the activity level of VLBW infants.
• B. Continuous infusion pumps do not always stop automatically when infiltration occurs.
• C. Hypertonic solutions can cause severe tissue damage if infiltration occurs.
• D. The infusion site should be checked regularly to prevent infiltration-related complications.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Hypertonic solutions can damage tissues if they leak from the vein due to infiltration. It is crucial to monitor for this complication to prevent severe tissue damage. Infiltration is not solely related to the activity level of VLBW infants; it can occur due to various reasons such as vein condition, catheter placement, and fluid type. Continuous infusion pumps may not always detect infiltration, as they typically alarm for pressure changes but not all infiltration instances. Checking the infusion site regularly, preferably hourly, is essential to prevent complications like tissue damage from extravasations, fluid overload, and dehydration.

2. During the nurse’s initial assessment of a school-age child, the child reports a pain level of 6 out of 10. The child is lying quietly in bed watching television. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Reassess the child in 15 minutes to see if the pain rating has changed
• B. Administer the prescribed analgesic
• C. Do nothing since the child appears to be resting
• D. Ask the child’s parents if they think the child is hurting

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Pain management should be based on the child’s report of pain, regardless of their activity level. Administering the prescribed analgesic is the appropriate action. Reassessing the child in 15 minutes without providing immediate pain relief may not be in the child's best interest. Doing nothing since the child appears to be resting may lead to inadequate pain management. Asking the child’s parents if they think the child is hurting does not replace the need for direct assessment and intervention by the nurse.

3. What laboratory finding should the nurse expect in a child with an excess of water?

• A. Decreased hematocrit
• B. High serum osmolality
• C. High urine specific gravity
• D. Increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN)

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Water excess typically leads to hemodilution, resulting in a decreased hematocrit. High serum osmolality and specific gravity would indicate dehydration, while elevated BUN could suggest renal impairment or dehydration, not fluid overload.

4. What is typically the first sign of puberty in females?

• A. Breast development
• B. Menarche
• C. Pubic hair growth
• D. Axillary hair growth

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Breast development (thelarche) is usually the first sign of puberty in females, typically beginning between ages 8 and 13. This marks the start of puberty, followed by pubic hair growth, a growth spurt, and eventually menarche (the onset of menstruation). Pubic hair growth and axillary hair growth usually follow breast development in the sequence of pubertal changes. Therefore, the first noticeable change indicating the onset of puberty in females is the development of breast buds.

5. Which nonpharmacologic intervention appears to be effective in decreasing neonatal procedural pain?

• A. Tactile stimulation
• B. Commercial warm packs
• C. Doing procedure during infant sleep
• D. Oral sucrose and nonnutritive sucking

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Oral sucrose and nonnutritive sucking are effective nonpharmacologic interventions for reducing procedural pain in neonates.

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