Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is teaching parents about diarrhea in young children. A parent asks the nurse what causes most cases of diarrhea in young children. How should the nurse respond?

• A. Rotavirus
• B. Giardia
• C. Shigella
• D. Salmonella

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrhea in young children, particularly those under the age of 2. Giardia, Shigella, and Salmonella can also cause diarrhea, but in the context of young children, Rotavirus is the primary pathogen responsible for diarrheal illnesses.

2. A child has a nasogastric (NG) tube after surgery for Hirschsprung disease. What is the purpose of the NG tube?

• A. Prevent the spread of infection.
• B. Monitor electrolyte balance.
• C. Prevent abdominal distention.
• D. Maintain accurate records of output.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary purpose of an NG tube post-surgery for Hirschsprung disease is to prevent abdominal distention by decompressing the stomach and intestines. This helps prevent complications and promotes healing.

3. A Hispanic toddler has pneumonia. The nurse notices that the parent consistently feeds the child only the broth that comes on the clear liquid tray. Food items, such as Jell-O, Popsicles, and juices, are left. Which statement best explains this?

• A. The parent is trying to feed the child only what the child likes most
• B. Hispanics believe the evil eye enters when a person gets cold
• C. The parent is trying to restore normal balance through appropriate hot remedies
• D. Hispanics believe an innate energy called chi is strengthened by eating soup

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In Hispanic culture, the balance between hot and cold is important, and the parent may be giving the child broth to restore this balance while avoiding "cold" foods.

4. You are developing a plan of care for a hospitalized child. Which age group is most likely to view illness as a punishment for misdeeds?

• A. Adolescence
• B. Preschool age
• C. Infancy
• D. School age

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Preschool-aged children often engage in magical thinking, where they may believe that illness is a punishment for misdeeds. This belief is related to their cognitive development stage, where they may attribute cause and effect in a magical or unrealistic way. Adolescents are more likely to view illness as a disruption to their sense of independence or control. Infants lack the cognitive development to associate illness with punishment for misdeeds. School-aged children typically have a more concrete understanding of illness and its causes, moving away from magical thinking.

5. 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.

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