Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. During a funduscopic examination of a school-age child, the nurse notes a brilliant, uniform red reflex in both eyes. The nurse should recognize that this is which?

• A. A normal finding
• B. A sign of a possible visual defect and a need for vision screening
• C. An abnormal finding requiring referral to an ophthalmologist
• D. A sign of small hemorrhages, which usually resolve spontaneously

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A brilliant, uniform red reflex in both eyes is a normal finding, indicating that the retina is healthy and there are no significant obstructions in the visual pathway.

3. A mother brings 6-month-old Eric to the clinic for a well-baby checkup. She comments, "I want to go back to work, but I don't want Eric to suffer because I'll have less time with him." Which is the nurse's most appropriate answer?

• A. "I'm sure he'll be fine if you get a good babysitter."
• B. "You will need to stay home until Eric starts school."
• C. "Let's talk about the childcare options that will be best for Eric."
• D. "You should go back to work so Eric will get used to being with others."

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The best approach is to discuss childcare options that would suit Eric's needs, allowing the mother to make an informed decision without guilt or pressure.

4. What information does the nurse include when teaching parents about nonpharmacologic strategies for pain management in children?

• A. May reduce pain perception.
• B. Make pharmacologic strategies unnecessary.
• C. Usually take too long to implement.
• D. Trick children into believing they do not have pain.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'May reduce pain perception.' When teaching parents about nonpharmacologic strategies for pain management in children, the nurse should include information that these techniques may help reduce pain perception, make the pain more tolerable, decrease anxiety, and enhance the effectiveness of analgesics. It is important to note that nonpharmacologic techniques should be learned before the pain occurs, and it is beneficial to use both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic measures for pain control. Choice B is incorrect because nonpharmacologic strategies do not make pharmacologic strategies unnecessary but rather complement them. Choice C is incorrect as nonpharmacologic techniques, when properly learned and applied, do not usually take too long to implement. Choice D is incorrect as the goal of nonpharmacologic strategies is not to trick children into believing they do not have pain, but to help them cope with and manage their pain effectively.

5. When transitioning from intravenous to oral morphine, what would the nurse anticipate regarding the oral dose in comparison to the intravenous dose to achieve equianalgesia?

• A. Same as the intravenous dose
• B. Greater than the intravenous dose
• C. One half of the intravenous dose
• D. One fourth of the intravenous dose

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When switching from intravenous to oral morphine, a higher oral dose is required to achieve equianalgesia due to significant metabolism from the first-pass effect. Choosing the same oral dose as the intravenous dose would provide less pain relief. Opting for a dose greater than the intravenous dose is necessary to achieve the same analgesic effect. Therefore, options A, C, and D are incorrect.

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