Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is caring for an infant who was born 24 hr ago to a mother who received no prenatal care. The infant is a poor feeder but sucks avidly on his hands. Clinical manifestations also include hyperactive reflexes, tremors, sneezing, and a high-pitched shrill cry. What does the nurse consider as a possible diagnosis for this infant?

• A. Seizure disorder
• B. Narcotic withdrawal
• C. Placental insufficiency
• D. Meconium aspiration syndrome

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this case, the infant's symptoms are consistent with narcotic withdrawal. Infants exposed to drugs in utero may display withdrawal symptoms starting around 12 to 24 hours post-birth. The presentation often includes hyperactive reflexes, tremors, sneezing, high-pitched shrill cry, poor feeding, and sucking avidly on hands. Signs such as loose stools, tachycardia, fever, projectile vomiting, sneezing, and generalized sweating are common. These symptoms are not indicative of a seizure disorder. Placental insufficiency typically leads to a small-for-gestational-age child, which is not mentioned in the scenario. Meconium aspiration syndrome primarily presents with respiratory distress, not the symptoms described in this case.

2. What is the most consistent and commonly used indicator of pain in infants?

• A. Increased respirations
• B. Increased heart rate
• C. Thrashing of arms and legs
• D. Facial expression of discomfort

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Facial expression has consistently been validated as an indicator of pain in infants. Behavioral pain measures are most reliable for sharp procedural pain in infants. Increased heart rate and respirations are indicative of a generalized and complex response to stress, not specific for pain in infants. Thrashing of arms and legs is a reliable indicator in young children, not specifically in infants.

3. As the primary caregiver for a 5-month-old baby, according to Maslow’s hierarchy of basic needs, which intervention takes the highest priority?

• A. Feeding every four hours
• B. Protection from harm
• C. Providing stimulation
• D. Providing love

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Feeding every four hours. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, physiological needs, such as food, water, and warmth, take the highest priority. Ensuring that the baby is fed regularly is crucial for survival and overall health. Choice B, protection from harm, relates more to safety needs which come after physiological needs. Choice C, providing stimulation, is associated with higher-level needs like belongingness and esteem. Choice D, providing love, corresponds to esteem and self-actualization needs, which are higher in the hierarchy than physiological needs.

4. Physiologically, the child compensates for fluid volume losses by which mechanism?

• A. Inhibition of aldosterone secretion
• B. Hemoconcentration to reduce cardiac workload
• C. Fluid shift from interstitial space to intravascular space
• D. Vasodilation of peripheral arterioles to increase perfusion

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In response to dehydration, the body compensates by shifting fluids from the interstitial spaces to the intravascular space to maintain blood pressure and perfusion to vital organs. Hemoconcentration and vasoconstriction are other compensatory mechanisms but are less immediate.

5. What is the primary goal in the treatment of a child with nephrotic syndrome?

• A. Decrease urine output
• B. Increase serum albumin
• C. Reduce proteinuria
• D. Increase blood pressure

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary goal in treating nephrotic syndrome in children is to reduce proteinuria. Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by proteinuria, leading to hypoalbuminemia and edema. By reducing proteinuria, kidney damage can be minimized, and symptoms can be managed effectively. Decreasing urine output (Choice A) is not the primary goal, as it does not address the underlying issue of protein loss. Increasing serum albumin (Choice B) is a consequence of reducing proteinuria rather than the primary goal. Increasing blood pressure (Choice D) is not a goal in treating nephrotic syndrome and may even be contraindicated to prevent further kidney damage.

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