Nursing Elites

1. The healthcare provider is preparing to administer a scheduled dose of digoxin to a 4-year-old child with heart failure. The healthcare provider notes that the child’s heart rate is 70 beats per minute. What should the healthcare provider do next?

• A. Administer the medication as prescribed
• B. Hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider
• C. Recheck the heart rate in 30 minutes
• D. Administer half of the prescribed dose

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In pediatric patients, digoxin administration is guided by the heart rate. If the child's heart rate is below the established threshold, which is typically 90-100 beats per minute in a 4-year-old, the medication should be withheld, and the healthcare provider should be notified for further evaluation and instructions. Choice A is incorrect because administering the medication when the heart rate is low can lead to adverse effects. Rechecking the heart rate in 30 minutes (Choice C) may delay necessary intervention if the heart rate remains low. Administering half of the prescribed dose (Choice D) is not recommended without healthcare provider guidance.

2. The parents of a 3-year-old boy who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy ask, 'How can our son have this disease? We are wondering if we should have any more children.' What information should the nurse provide to parents?

• A. This is an inherited X-linked recessive disorder, which primarily affects male children in the family
• B. The striated muscle groups of males can be impacted by a lack of the protein dystrophin in their mothers
• C. The male infant had a viral infection that went unnoticed and untreated so muscle damage was incurred
• D. Birth trauma with a breech vaginal birth causes damage to the spinal cord, thus weakening the muscles

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an X-linked recessive disorder that primarily affects males. It is crucial for the nurse to explain to the parents that this condition follows an inheritance pattern where the gene mutation responsible for the disorder is located on the X chromosome. Males have only one X chromosome, so if they inherit the mutated gene, they will develop the disease. Females, on the other hand, have two X chromosomes, providing a backup copy that can compensate for the mutation. Understanding this inheritance pattern is essential for family planning decisions, as the risk of passing on the disorder to future children can be explained based on this genetic inheritance. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not address the genetic basis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy or its inheritance pattern, which is crucial information for the parents in this scenario.

3. What response should the practical nurse (PN) provide when a school-age child asks to talk with a dying sister?

• A. Talk loudly to ensure the dying person hears and recognizes others' voices.
• B. Touch can provide a tactile presence if the dying person does not respond to words.
• C. Sitting close offers the dying person the sensation of others' presence.
• D. Although the dying person may not respond, they can still hear what is said.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct response is D because it is believed that hearing is the last sense to go. Even if the dying person does not respond, speaking to them can still provide comfort. Choice A is incorrect because talking loudly is not necessary and can be distressing. Choice B is incorrect as it focuses on touch rather than the sense of hearing. Choice C is incorrect because sitting close may not necessarily help the dying person hear better.

4. The nurse provides information about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to the mother of a 14-year-old adolescent who came to the clinic this morning complaining of menstrual cramping. Which explanation should the nurse provide to support administering the HPV vaccine to the adolescent at this visit?

• A. Use of protective barriers during sexual activity prevents most strains of HPV infection
• B. Most adolescents are not honest about being sexually active
• C. Not all strains of HPV will be covered if given at a later date
• D. Immunity must be established to prevent future HPV infection and the risk for cervical cancer

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Administering the HPV vaccine helps establish immunity before potential exposure to the virus, reducing the risk of HPV infection and subsequent development of cervical cancer. It is recommended to vaccinate adolescents before they become sexually active for maximum effectiveness. Choice A is incorrect because while protective barriers can reduce the risk, they do not prevent all strains of HPV. Choice B is incorrect and judgmental as it assumes dishonesty without providing relevant information about HPV vaccination. Choice C is incorrect as it downplays the importance of vaccination by suggesting that not all strains are necessary to cover, which is not the case in preventing HPV-related diseases.

5. When reinforcing information about the use of corticosteroids in treating asthma in children, which statement indicates that the parent understands the teaching?

• A. My child should take the medication only when experiencing symptoms.
• B. I will rinse my child's mouth after each use of the inhaler.
• C. I should discontinue the medication if my child seems better.
• D. Corticosteroids are used for quick relief during an asthma attack.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Rinsing the mouth after using corticosteroid inhalers is crucial as it helps prevent oral thrush, a common side effect associated with these medications. This practice reduces the risk of developing fungal infections in the mouth and throat, maintaining optimal oral health during asthma treatment.

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