Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is teaching a parent of a 6-month-old infant with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) before discharge. What instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Elevate the head of the bed in the crib to a 90-degree angle while the infant is sleeping.
• B. Hold the infant in the prone position after a feeding.
• C. Discontinue breastfeeding so that a formula and rice cereal mixture can be used.
• D. Prescribed cimetidine (Tagamet) should be given 30 minutes before feedings.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Cimetidine is an H2 blocker that reduces stomach acid, helping manage GER. Holding the infant in the prone position is not recommended due to the risk of SIDS. Breastfeeding should not be discontinued unless advised by a physician. Elevating the head to 90 degrees is excessive.

2. What is the most common complication following surgical correction of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula in infants?

• A. Gastroesophageal reflux
• B. Respiratory distress
• C. Stricture formation
• D. Aspiration pneumonia

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The most common complication following surgical correction of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula in infants is stricture formation. This complication occurs due to the healing process after surgery, leading to the narrowing of the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux (Choice A) can be a concern but is not the most common complication. Respiratory distress (Choice B) may happen but is not the primary complication. Aspiration pneumonia (Choice D) is a risk but is typically not as common as stricture formation in these cases.

3. A 5-year-old is hospitalized with a fractured femur. Which pain assessment tool is appropriate for this child?

• A. CRIES Scale
• B. Faces Pain Rating Scale
• C. SUN Scale
• D. NIPS Scale

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The Faces Pain Rating Scale is appropriate for assessing pain in children who can express their feelings visually. For a 5-year-old child who can communicate effectively, using a tool like the Faces Pain Rating Scale, which uses facial expressions to indicate pain levels, is more suitable than the CRIES Scale (used for neonates), the SUN Scale (used for infants), or the NIPS Scale (used for preterm and term newborns).

4. The parent of a 2-week-old infant asks the nurse if fluoride supplements are necessary because the infant is exclusively breastfed. What is the nurse's best response?

• A. The infant needs to begin taking them now.
• B. Supplements are not needed if you drink fluoridated water.
• C. The infant may need to begin taking them at age 6 months.
• D. The infant can have infant cereal mixed with fluoridated water instead of supplements.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Breastfed infants may need fluoride supplements starting at 6 months if they are not receiving fluoride from other sources, such as drinking water.

5. 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.

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