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. Where is the best place to observe for the presence of petechiae in dark-skinned individuals?

• A. Face
• B. Buttocks
• C. Oral mucosa
• D. Palms and soles

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The oral mucosa and conjunctivae are the best places to observe petechiae in dark-skinned individuals because these areas have less pigmentation.

3. For a child with Kawasaki disease, which symptom is most indicative of the acute phase?

• A. Strawberry tongue
• B. Joint pain
• C. Rash
• D. Peeling skin

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Strawberry tongue. In Kawasaki disease, a 'strawberry tongue' is most indicative of the acute phase. This refers to the tongue appearing red and swollen with enlarged fungiform papillae, giving it a strawberry-like appearance. Joint pain (Choice B) is more commonly associated with other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Rash (Choice C) and peeling skin (Choice D) are also seen in Kawasaki disease but are not as specific to the acute phase as the presence of a strawberry tongue.

4. Which reflex, present at birth, is elicited by stroking the sole of the infant's foot, resulting in the fanning of the toes?

• A. Babinski
• B. Moro
• C. Sucking
• D. Rooting

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The Babinski reflex is the correct answer. This reflex is characterized by the fanning out of the toes when the sole of the foot is stroked. It is a normal reflex in infants and is typically present at birth, disappearing by around 12 months of age. The Moro reflex, which involves the infant's response to a sudden loss of support or a loud noise, is not related to the fanning of toes. Sucking and rooting reflexes are related to feeding behaviors and are not elicited by stroking the sole of the foot.

5. Which sign is indicative of developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants?

• A. Ortolani sign
• B. Romberg sign
• C. Trendelenburg sign
• D. Gower's sign

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The Ortolani sign is a specific maneuver used during physical examination to detect hip instability or dislocation in infants. A positive Ortolani sign, where the hip is felt to slip back into the socket, is indicative of developmental dysplasia of the hip, a condition that can lead to long-term disability if not treated early. Romberg sign is used to assess sensory ataxia, Trendelenburg sign indicates weakness of the hip abductor muscles, and Gower's sign is seen in children with proximal muscle weakness climbing up their own body from a supine position due to conditions like muscular dystrophy.

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