Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is measuring the frontal occipital circumference (FOC) of a 3-month-old infant, notes that the FOC has increased by 5 cm since birth, and observes that the child’s head appears large in relation to body size. Which action is most important for the nurse to take next?

• A. Measure the infant’s head-to-heel length
• B. Observe the infant for sunsetting eyes
• C. Palpate the anterior fontanel for tension and bulging
• D. Plot the measurement on the infant’s growth chart

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Palpating the anterior fontanel for tension and bulging is essential to assess for increased intracranial pressure, which could be indicated by the enlarged head circumference. This assessment can help identify potential neurological issues that need prompt attention.

2. When teaching a gravid client how to perform kick (fetal movement) counts, which instruction should the nurse include?

• A. If 10 kicks are not felt within one hour, drink orange juice and count for another hour.
• B. Count the movements once daily, for one hour, before breakfast.
• C. Avoid caffeinated drinks for 24 hours before conducting the kick test.
• D. Exercise for 15 minutes before starting the counting to help increase fetal movement.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When teaching a gravid client about kick (fetal movement) counts, the nurse should instruct them that if 10 kicks are not felt within one hour, they should drink orange juice and continue counting for another hour. This instruction is crucial as a drop in fetal movements could indicate potential issues with fetal well-being, and taking action such as rechecking after food intake is recommended to monitor the situation closely.

3. The nurse instructs a laboring client to use accelerated-blow breathing. The client begins to complain of tingling fingers and dizziness. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Administer oxygen by face mask.
• B. Notify the healthcare provider of the client's symptoms.
• C. Have the client breathe into her cupped hands.
• D. Check the client's blood pressure and fetal heart rate.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Tingling fingers and dizziness are symptoms of hyperventilation, which can occur with accelerated-blow breathing. Instructing the client to breathe into her cupped hands can help rebreathe exhaled carbon dioxide, which can alleviate the symptoms by restoring the proper balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. This intervention can be effective in managing the client's hyperventilation without the need for additional medical interventions at this point.

4. A 4-week-old premature infant has been receiving epoetin alfa (Epogen) for the last three weeks. Which assessment finding indicates to the healthcare provider that the drug is effective?

• A. Slowly increasing urinary output over the last week.
• B. Respiratory rate changes from the 40s to the 60s.
• C. Changes in apical heart rate from the 180s to the 140s.
• D. Change in indirect bilirubin from 12 mg/dl to 8 mg/dl.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Epoetin alfa stimulates erythropoiesis, leading to an increase in red blood cell production and improving oxygen-carrying capacity. As the oxygenation status improves, there is a reduction in heart rate. Therefore, changes in apical heart rate from the 180s to the 140s indicate that the drug is effective. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not directly reflect the expected outcome of epoetin alfa therapy. Increasing urinary output, changes in respiratory rate, and decreasing bilirubin levels are not primary indicators of the drug's effectiveness in this context.

5. The nurse is caring for a 5-year-old child with Reye’s syndrome. Which goal of treatment most clearly relates to caring for this child?

• A. Reduce cerebral edema and lower intracranial pressure
• B. Avert hypotension and septic shock
• C. Prevent cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure
• D. Promote kidney perfusion and normal blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Reducing cerebral edema and lowering intracranial pressure is the primary goal of treatment for Reye’s syndrome.

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