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. A child is hospitalized in acute renal failure and has a serum potassium greater than 7 mEq/L. What temporary measures that will produce a rapid but transient effect to reduce the potassium should the nurse expect to be prescribed? (Select all that apply.)

• A. Dialysis
• B. All below
• C. Sodium bicarbonate
• D. Glucose 50% and insulin

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Calcium gluconate, sodium bicarbonate, and glucose with insulin are used as temporary measures to rapidly reduce serum potassium levels. They help shift potassium into cells and stabilize the heart but do not remove potassium from the body like dialysis does.

3. What statement is an advantage of peritoneal dialysis compared with hemodialysis?

• A. Protein loss is less extensive.
• B. Dietary limitations are not necessary.
• C. It is easy to learn and safe to perform.
• D. It is needed less frequently than hemodialysis.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Peritoneal dialysis is generally easier to learn and can be safely performed at home. Although dietary limitations still apply, this method offers greater flexibility in treatment scheduling compared to hemodialysis, which often requires multiple weekly visits to a dialysis center.

4. A two-month-old infant who has gastroesophageal reflux is thriving without other complications. Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching plan?

• A. Place the infant in the Trendelenburg position after feeding
• B. Thicken formula with rice cereal
• C. Give continuous nasogastric feedings
• D. Give larger, less frequent feeds

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct instruction for a two-month-old infant with gastroesophageal reflux who is thriving without complications is to thicken the formula with rice cereal. This can help reduce reflux by increasing the weight of the formula, making it less likely to be regurgitated. Placing the infant in the Trendelenburg position after feeding (Choice A) is not recommended as it can increase the risk of aspiration. Continuous nasogastric feedings (Choice C) are not typically indicated for uncomplicated reflux in infants. Giving larger, less frequent feeds (Choice D) can worsen reflux symptoms by overloading the stomach.

5. Which is considered a block to effective communication?

• A. Using silence
• B. Using clichés
• C. Directing the focus
• D. Defining the problem

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Using clichés is a communication block because it can come across as dismissive or insincere, hindering meaningful dialogue.

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