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 school nurse is evaluating the number of school-age children classified as obese. The nurse recognizes that the percentile of body mass index that classifies a child as obese is greater than which?

• A. 50th percentile
• B. 75th percentile
• C. 80th percentile
• D. 95th percentile

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A child with a BMI greater than the 95th percentile is classified as obese, according to standard growth charts used in pediatric practice.

3. A child is admitted to the hospital with acute renal failure. The parents ask about the prognosis for acute renal failure. The nurse’s response should be based on which statement about acute renal failure?

• A. Children with acute renal failure will have to take prophylactic antibiotics for life.
• B. Acute renal failure always leads to chronic renal failure.
• C. Acute renal failure may be reversible.
• D. All children with acute renal failure will eventually need a kidney transplant.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Acute renal failure in children is often reversible, especially when the underlying cause is identified and treated promptly. It does not always lead to chronic renal failure or the need for a kidney transplant. Choice A is incorrect as prophylactic antibiotics for life are not a standard treatment for acute renal failure. Choice B is incorrect as acute renal failure does not always progress to chronic renal failure. Choice D is incorrect as not all children with acute renal failure will eventually require a kidney transplant.

4. What is a key distinguishing feature of bronchiolitis in infants?

• A. Dry cough
• B. Wheezing
• C. Stridor
• D. Productive cough

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Wheezing. Wheezing is a key distinguishing feature of bronchiolitis in infants, typically caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Bronchiolitis is characterized by inflammation and mucus buildup in the small airways of the lungs, leading to wheezing sounds during breathing. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because dry cough, stridor, and productive cough are not typical features of bronchiolitis in infants.

5. Nurses should be alert for increased fluid requirements in which circumstance?

• A. Fever
• B. Mechanical ventilation
• C. Congestive heart failure
• D. Increased intracranial pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Fever increases metabolic rate, leading to insensible water loss, thus requiring increased fluid intake. Mechanical ventilation, CHF, and increased intracranial pressure generally require fluid restriction rather than increased fluid intake.

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