Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is preparing to care for a newborn with an omphalocele. The nurse should understand that care of the infant should include what intervention?

• A. Initiating breast or bottle-feedings to stabilize the blood glucose level
• B. Maintaining pain management with an intravenous opioid
• C. Covering the intact bowel with a nonadherent dressing to prevent injury
• D. Performing immediate surgery

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The priority intervention for an infant with an omphalocele is to cover the intact bowel with a nonadherent dressing to protect the exposed organs and prevent infection. This intervention is crucial to prevent injury and maintain the infant's safety. Initiating feedings or maintaining pain management are not the immediate priorities in the care of an infant with an omphalocele. Performing immediate surgery may be required in the future, but initially, covering the bowel is the first critical step in management.

2. The nurses caring for a child are concerned about the child’s frequent requests for pain medication. During a team conference, a new nurse suggests they consider administering a placebo instead of the usual pain medication to see how the child responds. The team educates the nurse on why this is not appropriate and bases the decision on what knowledge?

• A. This practice is unjustified and unethical.
• B. This practice is effective in determining whether a child’s pain is real.
• C. The absence of a response to a placebo means the child’s pain has an organic basis.
• D. A positive response to a placebo will not occur if the child’s pain has an organic basis.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. The use of placebos without the patient’s consent is unethical and goes against the principles of beneficence and autonomy. Choice B is incorrect because using placebos does not provide reliable information about the presence or severity of the pain; it only indicates the response to the placebo itself. Choice C is wrong as the absence of a response to a placebo does not definitively mean that the child’s pain has an organic basis; there could be various reasons for the lack of response. Choice D is also incorrect as individuals may have a positive response to a placebo even if their pain has a significant organic cause. Therefore, the most appropriate response is A, emphasizing the ethical concerns surrounding the use of placebos without informed consent.

3. The nurse is using a bulb syringe to suction a neonate after delivery. What is an important consideration?

• A. Compress the bulb before insertion.
• B. Clear the mouth and pharynx before the nasal passages.
• C. Use two bulb syringes, one for the mouth and pharynx and one for the nasal passages.
• D. Continue using a bulb syringe until secretions are removed as mechanical suction is contraindicated.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct consideration when using a bulb syringe to suction a neonate after delivery is to clear the mouth and pharynx before the nasal passages to prevent aspiration of amniotic fluid. Compressing the bulb syringe before insertion is important to create suction. Using two bulb syringes is unnecessary, as one is sufficient for both the mouth/pharynx and nasal passages. It is not recommended to continue using a bulb syringe until all secretions are removed; instead, mechanical suction can be employed if more forceful removal of secretions is required.

4. Which medication should the nurse expect to administer to a child with an acute sickle cell pain crisis?

• A. Meperidine (Demerol)
• B. Morphine
• C. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• D. Ibuprofen (Motrin)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In the management of acute sickle cell pain crisis in children, morphine is the preferred medication due to its effectiveness in providing pain relief. Meperidine (Demerol) is less commonly used in this scenario because of its potential for neurotoxicity with repeated doses. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Motrin) are not typically sufficient for managing the severe pain associated with sickle cell crises and are not the first-line treatment options.

5. Why are neonates predisposed to problems with thermoregulation?

• A. Renal function is not fully developed
• B. Flexed posture favors heat loss
• C. A large body surface area favors heat loss to the environment
• D. A thick layer of subcutaneous fat provides excellent insulation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Newborns have a large surface area relative to their body weight, making them more susceptible to heat loss and requiring careful thermoregulation. Choice A is incorrect because renal function is not directly related to thermoregulation. Choice B is incorrect because a flexed posture actually helps reduce heat loss by minimizing the surface area exposed to the environment. Choice D is incorrect because neonates have limited subcutaneous fat, which contributes to their susceptibility to heat loss.

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