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. In planning care for children, the nurse considers children’s anxiety about hospitalization. Which measure should be included in the child’s plan of care to help reduce anxiety?

• A. Therapeutic play
• B. Time-out
• C. Counseling
• D. Movies

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Therapeutic play should be included in the child’s plan of care to help reduce anxiety during hospitalization. It is an effective strategy that allows children to express their feelings, understand procedures, and reduce anxiety levels. Time-out (choice B) is not suitable for addressing anxiety related to hospitalization. Counseling (choice C) may be beneficial but is not as specifically tailored to reduce anxiety in the hospital setting as therapeutic play. Movies (choice D) may provide a temporary distraction but do not actively involve the child in addressing their emotions and fears associated with hospitalization.

3. The nurse is preparing a 9-year-old boy before obtaining a blood specimen by venipuncture. The child tells the nurse he does not want to lose his blood. What approach is best by the nurse?

• A. Explain that it will not be painful.
• B. Suggest to him that he not worry about losing just a little bit of blood.
• C. Discuss with him how his body is always in the process of making blood.
• D. Tell the child that he will not even need a Band-Aid afterward because it is a simple procedure.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Discussing how the body continuously makes blood helps the child understand that losing a small amount is normal and not harmful. This educational approach also helps reduce anxiety by giving the child a sense of control over the situation.

4. You are developing a plan of care for a hospitalized child. Which age group is most likely to view illness as a punishment for misdeeds?

• A. Adolescence
• B. Preschool age
• C. Infancy
• D. School age

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Preschool-aged children often engage in magical thinking, where they may believe that illness is a punishment for misdeeds. This belief is related to their cognitive development stage, where they may attribute cause and effect in a magical or unrealistic way. Adolescents are more likely to view illness as a disruption to their sense of independence or control. Infants lack the cognitive development to associate illness with punishment for misdeeds. School-aged children typically have a more concrete understanding of illness and its causes, moving away from magical thinking.

5. The LPN is caring for a 1-month-old patient post-surgery. Which pain scale is expected to be used to evaluate post-op pain?

• A. Oucher
• B. Wong-Baker FACES
• C. FLACC
• D. 0-10 pain scale

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) scale is commonly used to assess pain in infants and young children who are unable to verbally communicate their pain. This scale is particularly useful in assessing post-operative pain in infants as it evaluates different behaviors and physiological responses to pain. The Oucher scale is more commonly used with children who are older and can provide self-report of pain intensity. Wong-Baker FACES scale is primarily used with children who are older and can indicate their pain level by pointing to facial expressions. The 0-10 pain scale is typically used with older children and adults who can rate their pain on a numerical scale.

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