Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. The parent of a child hospitalized with acute glomerulonephritis asks the nurse why blood pressure readings are being taken so often. What knowledge should influence the nurse's reply?

• A. The antibiotic therapy contributes to labile blood pressure values.
• B. Hypotension leading to sudden shock can develop at any time.
• C. Acute hypertension is a concern that requires monitoring.
• D. Blood pressure fluctuations indicate that the condition has become chronic.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Acute hypertension is a common complication of acute glomerulonephritis, requiring frequent monitoring to prevent complications such as encephalopathy or heart failure. Blood pressure fluctuations can occur but are not necessarily indicative of chronic disease.

3. By what age does birth weight usually triple?

• A. 1 year
• B. 1 month
• C. 2 years
• D. 6 months

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 1 year. By the age of 1 year, a baby’s birth weight typically triples. This period allows for significant growth and development in infants. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because birth weight does not usually triple by 1 month, 2 years, or 6 months of age, respectively.

4. What interventions should be implemented to maintain the skin integrity of a preterm infant born at 30 weeks?

• A. Avoid cleaning the skin
• B. Bathe the infant with sterile water
• C. Cleanse the skin with a gentle alkaline-based soap and water
• D. Thoroughly rinse the skin with plain water after bathing

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct intervention to maintain the skin integrity of a preterm infant born at 30 weeks is to bathe the infant with sterile water. Bathing with sterile water or a neutral pH solution is recommended to protect the delicate skin of preterm infants, which is more permeable and prone to damage. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as avoiding cleaning the skin may lead to hygiene issues, cleansing with alkaline-based soap can be harsh on the delicate skin, and thoroughly rinsing with plain water after bathing may not be as gentle and protective for preterm infants.

5. In the newborn, into what muscle is intramuscular vitamin K administered?

• A. Deltoid
• B. Dorsogluteal
• C. Rectus femoris
• D. Vastus lateralis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In newborns, intramuscular vitamin K is traditionally administered into the vastus lateralis muscle. This site is preferred due to its large muscle mass and accessibility. The dorsogluteal site is not recommended for newborns due to the risk of injury to the sciatic nerve. The deltoid site is also not recommended for newborns. The rectus femoris muscle is not commonly used for intramuscular injections in newborns.

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