Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is caring postoperatively for an 8-year-old child with multiple fractures and other traumatic injuries from a motor vehicle crash. The child is experiencing severe pain. What is an important consideration in managing the child’s pain?

• A. Give only an opioid analgesic at this time.
• B. Increase the dosage of analgesic until the child is adequately sedated.
• C. Plan a preventive schedule of pain medication around the clock.
• D. Give the child a clock and explain when they can have pain medications.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: For severe postoperative pain, a preventive around-the-clock schedule is necessary to prevent decreased plasma levels of medications. Providing only an opioid analgesic at this time may not be sufficient for effective pain management. Increasing the dosage without an order is unsafe and may lead to oversedation. Planning a preventive schedule of pain medication around the clock ensures consistent pain relief and better management. Giving the child a clock and explaining when they can have pain medications may increase the child's focus on waiting for relief rather than addressing the pain promptly, making it a less effective strategy.

2. The nurse is planning care for a hospitalized preschool-aged child. Which should the nurse plan to ensure atraumatic care?

• A. Limit explanation of procedures because the child is preschool-aged
• B. Ask that all family members leave the room when performing procedures
• C. Allow the child to choose the type of juice to drink with the administration of oral medications
• D. Explain that EMLA cream cannot be used for the morning lab draw because there is not time for it to be effective

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Allowing the child to make choices, such as selecting the type of juice, helps to maintain a sense of control and reduce anxiety, ensuring atraumatic care.

3. What is the recommended position for a child after a tonsillectomy?

• A. Supine
• B. Prone
• C. Side-lying
• D. Fowler's position

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Side-lying. The side-lying position is recommended after a tonsillectomy to facilitate drainage of secretions and reduce the risk of aspiration. This position helps prevent blood from pooling in the back of the throat, decreasing the chance of bleeding postoperatively. Supine (lying face up), while commonly used in other situations, may not be ideal immediately after a tonsillectomy due to the risk of airway obstruction from blood clots. Prone (lying face down) is not recommended as it can hinder breathing and increase the risk of complications. Fowler's position (semi-sitting) is also not typically used after a tonsillectomy because it may cause discomfort and hinder proper drainage.

4. The nurse is preparing to administer a prescribed, as-needed antiemetic drug for a child diagnosed with cancer. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

• A. Administering the drug only if the child is nauseated.
• B. Administering the drug prophylactically before the next dose of chemotherapy.
• C. Administering the drug after the next dose of chemotherapy.
• D. Administering the drug only if the child is experiencing diarrhea.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Administering the antiemetic prophylactically before the next dose of chemotherapy is the most appropriate action. This approach helps prevent nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. Waiting until the child is already nauseated, as stated in option A, is less effective as it is reactive rather than proactive. Administering the drug after chemotherapy, as in option C, may not be as beneficial in preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Option D, administering the drug only if the child is experiencing diarrhea, is not relevant to the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea.

5. The nurse is teaching a child experiencing severe edema associated with minimal change nephrotic syndrome about his diet. The nurse should discuss what dietary need?

• A. Consuming a regular diet
• B. Increasing protein
• C. Restricting fluids
• D. Decreasing calories

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Fluid restriction is often necessary to manage severe edema associated with MCNS. Increasing protein is not typically recommended due to the risk of exacerbating proteinuria, and calorie reduction is not generally needed.

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