Nursing Elites

1. The nurse needs to take the blood pressure of a small child. Of the cuffs available, one is too large and one is too small. The best nursing action is which?

• A. Use the small cuff
• B. Use the large cuff
• C. Use either cuff using the palpation method
• D. Wait to take the blood pressure until a proper cuff can be located

Correct answer: D

Rationale: It is essential to use the correct cuff size for accurate blood pressure readings; if the proper size is not available, it's best to wait until it can be obtained.

2. When checking the intravenous (IV) site on a child, the nurse should take which action?

• A. Look at the site.
• B. Ask the child if the site hurts.
• C. Look at the site while palpating the area.
• D. Take all the tape off, assess the site, and redress.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Looking at and palpating the IV site helps assess for signs of infiltration or infection, such as swelling, redness, or pain. Simply looking or asking the child may miss subtle signs, and removing all the tape unnecessarily disrupts the site.

3. Which inpatient pediatric patient would not be able to go to the playroom due to their physical condition?

• A. A 4-year-old with chickenpox
• B. A 12-year-old with a fractured femur
• C. A 7-year-old with new-onset diabetes mellitus
• D. A 10-year-old postoperative appendectomy

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. A child with chickenpox should not go to the playroom due to being contagious, as the virus can easily spread to other children. Children with fractures (choice B), new-onset diabetes mellitus (choice C), or postoperative appendectomy (choice D) do not pose a risk of spreading an infectious disease, so they can safely go to the playroom.

4. What is the earliest age at which a satisfactory radial pulse can be taken in children?

• A. 1 year
• B. 2 years
• C. 3 years
• D. 6 years

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A satisfactory radial pulse can typically be taken starting at around 3 years of age, as younger children often have pulses that are too fast and irregular for accurate measurement.

5. The nurse is assessing a 3-year-old African American child whose height and weight are at the 20th percentile on the growth chart. What should the nurse recognize?

• A. The data suggest the child requires nutritional intervention
• B. The NCHS charts are accurate for U.S. African American children
• C. A correction factor is used for nonwhite ethnic groups
• D. No assessment can be made until several measurements are plotted over time

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The NCHS growth charts serve as reference guides for all racial or ethnic groups, including African American children. The 20th percentile for height and weight does not indicate nutritional failure but provides a reference point for ongoing assessment. Choice A is incorrect because being at the 20th percentile does not automatically imply the need for nutritional intervention. Choice C is incorrect as there is no correction factor specifically used for nonwhite ethnic groups in this context. Choice D is incorrect as a single measurement at the 20th percentile can provide valuable information for assessment.

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