Nursing Elites

1. The healthcare provider is preparing to administer digoxin (Lanoxin) to a 6-month-old infant with heart failure. The healthcare provider notes that the infant’s heart rate is 90 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. Reassess the heart rate in 30 minutes
• D. Administer half the prescribed dose

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this scenario, the correct action is to hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider. Digoxin should be withheld if the infant’s heart rate is below 100 beats per minute. Administering digoxin in this situation can further slow down the heart rate in infants with heart failure, leading to potential adverse effects. Reassessing the heart rate in 30 minutes is not the best immediate action to take, as prompt notification and withholding of the medication are crucial. Administering the medication as prescribed or giving half the dose can exacerbate the situation by potentially further lowering the heart rate.

2. A mother brings her 8-month-old baby boy to the clinic because he has been vomiting and having diarrhea for the last 3 days. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to make?

• A. Assess the infant's abdomen for tenderness
• B. Determine if the infant has been exposed to a virus
• C. Measure the infant’s pulse
• D. Evaluate the infant’s cry

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The most crucial assessment in this scenario is to measure the infant's pulse. Pulse measurement is essential to evaluate the severity of dehydration, which can be a significant concern in a baby experiencing vomiting and diarrhea for several days. Assessing the abdomen for tenderness may provide information on potential causes of symptoms but is not as urgent as monitoring hydration status. Determining exposure to a virus is important for infection control but does not directly address the immediate issue of dehydration. Evaluating the infant's cry, although a form of communication, does not provide critical information regarding the baby's physiological status in this situation.

3. After observing a mother giving her 11-month-old ferrous sulfate followed by two ounces of orange juice, what should the nurse do next?

• A. Suggest placing the iron drops in the orange juice and feed the infant.
• B. Advise the mother to follow the iron drops with formula instead of orange juice.
• C. Instruct the mother to feed the infant nothing in the next 30 minutes after the iron.
• D. Give positive feedback about the way she administered the sulfate.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Providing positive feedback is essential in reinforcing correct behaviors. By praising the mother for properly administering the ferrous sulfate to her 11-month-old, the nurse can encourage her to continue following the correct procedure. This positive reinforcement can boost the mother's confidence and adherence to the recommended administration method, ultimately benefiting the infant's health.

4. The nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who is hospitalized with pneumonia. The child is receiving IV antibiotics and oxygen therapy. The nurse notes that the child’s respiratory rate is 40 breaths per minute, and the oxygen saturation is 92%. What is the nurse’s priority action?

• A. Increase the child’s oxygen flow rate
• B. Notify the healthcare provider
• C. Encourage the child to take deep breaths
• D. Auscultate the child’s lung sounds

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this scenario, the child is hospitalized with pneumonia, receiving IV antibiotics and oxygen therapy. With a high respiratory rate and decreased oxygen saturation, auscultating the child’s lung sounds is the priority action. This assessment can provide crucial information about the child’s respiratory status, such as the presence of adventitious sounds or decreased air entry, which can guide further interventions and help in evaluating the effectiveness of the current treatments. Increasing the oxygen flow rate may not address the underlying issue causing the decreased oxygen saturation. Notifying the healthcare provider can be necessary but auscultating lung sounds should be done first to gather more information. Encouraging the child to take deep breaths is important for respiratory function but should not be the immediate priority in this situation.

5. A 10-year-old child is brought to the emergency department after falling from a bicycle and hitting their head. The nurse notes that the child is drowsy and has a headache. What is the nurse’s priority action?

• A. Perform a full neurological assessment
• B. Administer pain medication
• C. Allow the child to rest quietly
• D. Check the child's immunization status

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a child who has fallen and hit their head, presenting with drowsiness and headache, the priority action for the nurse is to perform a full neurological assessment. This is crucial to evaluate the extent of the head injury and monitor for signs of increased intracranial pressure, which could indicate a more severe traumatic brain injury. Administering pain medication or allowing the child to rest quietly are not appropriate initial actions without first assessing the neurological status. Checking the child's immunization status is important for overall health but is not the priority in this acute situation.

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