Nursing Elites

1. The practical nurse is caring for a child who was admitted for treatment of seizures. Which intervention should the nurse implement to help prevent injury from a seizure?

• A. Have a padded tongue depressor at the bedside.
• B. Keep the side rails padded and in an upright position.
• C. Place a padded helmet on the child’s head.
• D. Restrain the child during the seizure activity.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct intervention to help prevent injury during a seizure is to keep the side rails padded and in an upright position. This measure helps to ensure the child's safety by preventing falls or accidental injuries. Using a padded tongue depressor or restraining the child can potentially cause harm and are not recommended. Placing a padded helmet is not a standard intervention for seizure safety in this scenario.

2. A 10-year-old child is brought to the emergency department after falling from a bicycle and hitting their head. The nurse notes that the child is drowsy and has a headache. What is the nurse’s priority action?

• A. Perform a full neurological assessment
• B. Administer pain medication
• C. Allow the child to rest quietly
• D. Check the child's immunization status

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a child who has fallen and hit their head, presenting with drowsiness and headache, the priority action for the nurse is to perform a full neurological assessment. This is crucial to evaluate the extent of the head injury and monitor for signs of increased intracranial pressure, which could indicate a more severe traumatic brain injury. Administering pain medication or allowing the child to rest quietly are not appropriate initial actions without first assessing the neurological status. Checking the child's immunization status is important for overall health but is not the priority in this acute situation.

3. A school-age child with a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus is brought to the emergency department with confusion and rapid breathing. The practical nurse (PN) suspects diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which initial intervention should the PN anticipate?

• A. Administer subcutaneous insulin.
• B. Give oral glucose tablets.
• C. Start intravenous fluids.
• D. Administer oxygen therapy.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Intravenous fluids are typically the initial intervention in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) to treat dehydration and stabilize the patient's condition. The fluid replacement helps correct electrolyte imbalances and improve perfusion, which are crucial in managing DKA. Insulin therapy follows after fluid resuscitation to address the underlying cause of DKA, which is the lack of insulin leading to increased ketone production. Administering subcutaneous insulin (Choice A) would be premature without first addressing the dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Giving oral glucose tablets (Choice B) is contraindicated in DKA as the patient already has high blood glucose levels. Administering oxygen therapy (Choice D) may be necessary based on the patient's condition, but addressing dehydration with intravenous fluids is the priority intervention in DKA.

4. What instructions should the nurse provide to the parents about the treatment of head lice in a 3-year-old boy who has been confirmed to have head lice?

• A. Wash the child's bed linens and clothing in hot soapy water.
• B. Dispose of the child's brushes, combs, and other hair accessories.
• C. Rewash the child's hair following a 24-hour isolation period.
• D. Take the child to a hair salon for a shampoo and shorter haircut.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct instruction for the nurse to provide to the parents is to wash the child's bed linens and clothing in hot soapy water. This is essential to eliminate head lice as they can survive on bedding and clothing. It is also important to wash any other items that the child may have used or come into contact with, such as brushes and combs, to prevent reinfestation. Rewashing the child's hair following an isolation period is not necessary, and taking the child to a hair salon for a shampoo and shorter haircut is not a recommended treatment for head lice.

5. A 3-year-old child with a high fever and sore throat is brought to the clinic. The nurse observes that the child is drooling and has difficulty swallowing. What is the nurse’s priority action?

• A. Administer antipyretic medication
• B. Prepare for emergency airway management
• C. Offer the child ice chips to suck on
• D. Assess the child’s hydration status

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In a 3-year-old child with drooling, difficulty swallowing, high fever, and sore throat, the nurse should prioritize preparing for emergency airway management. These signs may indicate epiglottitis, a condition that can quickly obstruct the airway, leading to respiratory distress and potentially fatal outcomes if not managed promptly. Administering antipyretic medication (Choice A) may be necessary later but is not the priority. Offering ice chips (Choice C) is contraindicated as the child has difficulty swallowing. Assessing hydration status (Choice D) is important but not the priority when the airway is at risk.

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