Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is seeing an adolescent and the parents in the clinic for the first time. Which should the nurse do first?

• A. Introduce him- or herself
• B. Make the family comfortable
• C. Give assurance of privacy
• D. Explain the purpose of the interview

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Introducing oneself is the first step in establishing a rapport and setting a professional tone for the interaction.

2. The nurse is caring postoperatively for an 8-year-old child with multiple fractures and other traumatic injuries from a motor vehicle crash. The child is experiencing severe pain. What is an important consideration in managing the child’s pain?

• A. Give only an opioid analgesic at this time.
• B. Increase the dosage of analgesic until the child is adequately sedated.
• C. Plan a preventive schedule of pain medication around the clock.
• D. Give the child a clock and explain when they can have pain medications.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: For severe postoperative pain, a preventive around-the-clock schedule is necessary to prevent decreased plasma levels of medications. Providing only an opioid analgesic at this time may not be sufficient for effective pain management. Increasing the dosage without an order is unsafe and may lead to oversedation. Planning a preventive schedule of pain medication around the clock ensures consistent pain relief and better management. Giving the child a clock and explaining when they can have pain medications may increase the child's focus on waiting for relief rather than addressing the pain promptly, making it a less effective strategy.

3. The parents of a child with sickle cell anemia ask why their child did not have a sickle cell crisis until he was approximately 6 months old. How should the nurse respond?

• A. Your child probably had a crisis, and you were unaware of the symptoms.
• B. Are you sure your child has sickle cell anemia and not sickle cell trait?
• C. Affected children can be asymptomatic in early infancy because of high levels of fetal hemoglobin that inhibit sickling.
• D. Have you asked your doctor about this yet?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is present in high levels during early infancy, inhibiting sickling unlike adult hemoglobin (HbS). As the levels of HbF decrease and HbS increases, the risk of sickling and crises becomes more pronounced, typically after 6 months of age. Choice A is incorrect because it assumes the crisis went unnoticed, which is not supported by medical knowledge. Choice B is incorrect as it questions the child's diagnosis rather than explaining the phenomenon of delayed crises. Choice D is incorrect as it does not provide the parents with the necessary information regarding their query.

4. Which of the following is the best indicator of a child's nutritional status?

• A. Weight
• B. Height
• C. Head circumference
• D. Mid-upper arm circumference

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Mid-upper arm circumference is a good indicator of muscle mass and fat stores, reflecting a child's nutritional status. It is particularly useful in assessing malnutrition, as it is less affected by fluid retention or dehydration compared to other anthropometric measurements. Weight can fluctuate due to factors like hydration status, making it less reliable as a sole indicator of nutritional status. Height reflects growth but may not directly indicate current nutritional status. Head circumference is more related to brain growth and development rather than overall nutritional status.

5. A nurse is carrying on a conversation with a 7-year-old child during an office visit. Which is an example of the level of language development the nurse should expect in this child?

• A. Fascination with bathroom language
• B. Difficulty understanding the concept of 'half past' in reference to time
• C. Ability to carry on an adult conversation
• D. Inability to speak in full sentences

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Understanding time concepts like 'half past' can be challenging for a 7-year-old, indicating the level of language development. Choice A is incorrect as fascination with bathroom language is common in this age group but not necessarily indicative of language development. Choice C is incorrect as a 7-year-old typically cannot carry on an adult conversation due to cognitive and experiential limitations. Choice D is incorrect as by the age of 7, children should be able to speak in full sentences.

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