Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is educating a new nurse on the identification of pain in children. What does the nurse teach about physiologic measurements in children’s pain assessment?

• A. Not useful as the only indicator for pain
• B. Best indicator of pain in children of all ages
• C. Most valuable when children also report having pain
• D. Essential to determine whether a child is telling the truth about pain

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Physiologic manifestations of pain may vary considerably, so they do not provide a consistent measure of pain. Heart rate may increase or decrease. The same signs that may suggest fear, anxiety, or anger also indicate pain. In chronic pain, the body adapts, and these signs decrease or stabilize. Physiologic measurements are of limited value and must be viewed in the context of a pain rating scale, behavioral assessment, and parental report. When the child reports pain on an appropriate pain scale, the appropriate interventions should be used. Therefore, physiologic measurements are not considered a reliable standalone indicator for pain in children, making choice A the correct answer. Choice B is incorrect because physiologic measurements alone do not serve as the best indicator of pain. Choice C is incorrect as physiologic measurements are still limited even when children report pain. Choice D is incorrect as physiologic measurements are not primarily used to determine the truthfulness of a child's pain report.

2. The mother of a 3-month-old breastfed infant asks about giving her baby water because it is summer and very warm. What should the nurse tell her?

• A. Fluids in addition to breast milk are not needed.
• B. Water should be given if the infant seems to nurse longer than usual.
• C. Clear juices are better than water to promote adequate fluid intake.
• D. Water once or twice a day will make up for losses resulting from environmental temperature.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Breast milk provides adequate hydration, even in warm weather, so additional fluids like water are not necessary and can interfere with breastfeeding.

3. A child with pyloric stenosis is having excessive vomiting. The nurse should assess for what potential complication?

• A. Hyperkalemia
• B. Hyperchloremia
• C. Metabolic acidosis
• D. Metabolic alkalosis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Excessive vomiting in pyloric stenosis leads to the loss of stomach acid (hydrochloric acid), resulting in metabolic alkalosis, not hyperkalemia, hyperchloremia, or metabolic acidosis. Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by a higher pH level in the blood due to the loss of acid and a relative increase in bicarbonate. Hyperkalemia is an elevated level of potassium in the blood and is not directly related to excessive vomiting in pyloric stenosis. Hyperchloremia is an excess of chloride in the blood, which is not typically associated with this condition. Metabolic acidosis is a condition characterized by a lower pH level in the blood, caused by an excess of acid or a loss of bicarbonate, which is not the typical complication seen in pyloric stenosis with excessive vomiting.

4. The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 4-month-old infant on preventing an aspiration injury. What should the nurse include in the teaching?

• A. Keep baby powder out of reach.
• B. Inspect toys for removable parts.
• C. Allow the infant to take a bottle to bed.
• D. Teething biscuits can be used for teething discomfort.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Baby powder can be inhaled by the infant and cause respiratory distress. Toys should be inspected to prevent choking hazards. Allowing an infant to take a bottle to bed can increase the risk of aspiration, and hard foods like teething biscuits should be given with caution.

5. In children with Type 1 diabetes, what is a common early sign of hypoglycemia?

• A. Irritability
• B. Rapid heartbeat
• C. Confusion
• D. Sweating

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Sweating is indeed one of the earliest signs of hypoglycemia in children with Type 1 diabetes. When blood sugar levels drop too low, the body releases stress hormones like adrenaline, which can lead to sweating. While irritability, rapid heartbeat, and confusion can also be seen in hypoglycemia, sweating is particularly common as a quick indicator of low blood sugar levels in children with Type 1 diabetes.

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