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 newborn has been diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s disease. The parent asks the nurse about the symptoms that led to the diagnosis. Which symptoms should the nurse include in the response?

• A. Acute diarrhea and dehydration
• B. Current jelly-like stools and pain
• C. Failure to pass meconium and abdominal distension
• D. Projectile vomiting and altered electrolytes

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Failure to pass meconium and abdominal distension. Hirschsprung’s disease is commonly diagnosed in newborns due to the failure to pass meconium within the first 24-48 hours after birth and abdominal distension, indicating a bowel obstruction. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not correspond to the typical symptoms of Hirschsprung’s disease. Acute diarrhea and dehydration, current jelly-like stools and pain, and projectile vomiting with altered electrolytes are not characteristic of this condition.

3. During which phase of the nursing process does the nurse use essential information about the child’s physical, social, and emotional health to decide which interventions to use?

• A. Implementation
• B. Planning
• C. Diagnosis
• D. Assessment

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Planning. During the planning phase of the nursing process, the nurse utilizes essential information gathered during the assessment about the child’s physical, social, and emotional health to determine the most appropriate interventions to address the identified needs. This phase focuses on developing a comprehensive care plan tailored to the individual child. A) Implementation is incorrect because this phase involves carrying out the interventions outlined in the care plan. C) Diagnosis is incorrect as it refers to identifying health issues based on the assessment data. D) Assessment is incorrect as it involves collecting and analyzing data about the child's health status, rather than deciding on interventions.

4. A sixteen-year-old boy is diagnosed with osteosarcoma. What information should the nurse know regarding the treatment plan?

• A. Amputation of the affected extremity is rarely necessary.
• B. Intensive radiation is the primary treatment modality.
• C. Treatment usually consists of surgery and chemotherapy.
• D. Bone marrow transplantation is the preferred option for long-term survival.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Osteosarcoma is typically treated with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. This approach aims to remove the tumor and reduce the risk of metastasis. Amputation of the affected extremity may be necessary in some cases to ensure complete removal of the tumor. Intensive radiation is not the primary treatment for osteosarcoma, and bone marrow transplantation is not the standard treatment for this type of cancer.

5. When checking the intravenous (IV) site on a child, the nurse should take which action?

• A. Look at the site.
• B. Ask the child if the site hurts.
• C. Look at the site while palpating the area.
• D. Take all the tape off, assess the site, and redress.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Looking at and palpating the IV site helps assess for signs of infiltration or infection, such as swelling, redness, or pain. Simply looking or asking the child may miss subtle signs, and removing all the tape unnecessarily disrupts the site.

Similar Questions