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 nurse is performing an assessment on a 12-month-old infant. Which fine or gross motor developmental skill demonstrates the proximodistal acquisition of skills?

• A. Standing
• B. Sitting without assistance
• C. Fully developed pincer grasp
• D. Taking a few steps holding onto something

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The development of a pincer grasp reflects fine motor skills, which develop in a proximodistal pattern (from the center of the body outward).

3. The clinic nurse is teaching parents about when to call the office immediately for a child with a fever. What should the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)

• A. The child has a stiff neck.
• B. The fever is over 40.6 C (105 F).
• C. The child is younger than 2 months.
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: D

Rationale: High fever, especially in very young infants, or the presence of a stiff neck can indicate a serious infection requiring immediate attention. A fever lasting more than 3 days also warrants medical evaluation.

4. 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.

5. The nurse needs to start an intravenous (IV) line on an 8-year-old child to begin administering intravenous antibiotics. The child starts to cry and tells the nurse, "Do it later, okay?" What action should the nurse take?

• A. Postpone starting the IV until the next shift.
• B. Start the IV line and then allow for expression of feelings.
• C. Change the route of the antibiotics to PO.
• D. Postpone starting the IV line until the child is ready.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Starting the IV as planned while allowing the child to express feelings afterward helps build trust and ensures the timely administration of necessary antibiotics. Delaying the procedure or changing the route could compromise the child's treatment.

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