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 discussing growth and development with a group of parents. What should the nurse say about developmental milestones?

• A. Increase in body size.
• B. Age-specific tasks that most children can do at a certain time.
• C. The direction of growth.
• D. Refers to the age group of children.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: "Age-specific tasks that most children can do at a certain time." Developmental milestones are specific tasks or abilities that most children can achieve at a certain age range. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because developmental milestones are not just about increase in body size, the direction of growth, or the age group of children. They are more focused on the expected tasks and skills children can accomplish at particular ages.

3. Which reflex is expected to disappear by 4 months of age?

• A. Rooting reflex
• B. Moro reflex
• C. Babinski reflex
• D. Palmar grasp

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex, typically disappears by 4 months as the infant's nervous system matures. This reflex is important for assessing the development of the nervous system in newborns. The Rooting reflex (Choice A) is related to turning the head in response to cheek stimulation; the Babinski reflex (Choice C) involves the fanning of toes in response to foot stimulation; and the Palmar grasp (Choice D) is the curling of the fingers around an object placed in the infant's hand. These reflexes have different timelines for disappearance and are not typically expected to be gone by 4 months of age.

4. One of the most critical needs of the infant is control of body temperature. The nurse caring for a newborn warms all equipment that comes in direct contact with the newborn to help prevent which type of heat loss?

• A. Convection
• B. Evaporation
• C. Conduction
• D. Radiation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is Conduction (choice C). Conduction heat loss occurs when the newborn’s skin comes into direct contact with a cooler surface, so warming equipment helps prevent this. Choice A, Convection, is the transfer of heat through air or water currents, not direct contact. Choice B, Evaporation, is the loss of heat through moisture on the skin evaporating, not direct contact. Choice D, Radiation, is the transfer of heat in the form of waves or particles, not direct contact.

5. Children are taught the values of their culture through observation and feedback relative to their own behavior. In teaching a class on cultural competence, the nurse should be aware that which factor may be culturally determined?

• A. Ethnicity
• B. Racial variation
• C. Status
• D. Geographic boundaries

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Status, or the social standing within a culture, is often culturally determined and plays a significant role in shaping behaviors and expectations.

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