Nursing Elites

1. When instilling ear drops in a 2-year-old child, how should the practical nurse (PN) position the earlobe to straighten the external auditory canal?

• A. Up and back.
• B. Down and back.
• C. Up and forward.
• D. Down and forward.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When administering ear drops to a child under three years old, it is essential to pull the earlobe down and back. This positioning helps straighten the external auditory canal, facilitating the proper administration of the ear drops. Pulling the earlobe down and back in young children aims to ensure that the medication reaches the intended area for optimal effectiveness.

2. The mother of a 14-year-old who had a below-the-knee amputation for osteosarcoma tells the nurse that her child is angry and blaming her for allowing the amputation to occur. Which response is best for the nurse to provide?

• A. I will ask the HCP for a psychiatric consult for your child
• B. This type of acting out behavior is normal for adolescents
• C. It is important to focus on your child's needs at this difficult time
• D. A reaction of anger is your child's attempt to cope with this loss

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Acknowledging the child's anger as a coping mechanism helps validate their feelings and can open a dialogue for further support.

3. The mother of an 11-year-old boy with juvenile arthritis tells the nurse, 'I really don’t want my son to become dependent on pain medication, so I only allow him to take it when he is really hurting.' Which information is most important for the nurse to provide this mother?

• A. Encouraging the child to rest when he experiences pain
• B. Encouraging quiet activities like watching television as a pain distractor
• C. Suggesting the use of hot baths as an alternative to pain medication
• D. Explaining that giving pain medication around the clock helps control the pain

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The nurse should educate the mother that giving pain medication around the clock helps maintain a consistent level of pain control, preventing severe pain episodes and improving the child's quality of life. It is essential to manage pain proactively rather than waiting for the child to be in severe pain before administering medication. Choices A, B, and C do not address the importance of proactive pain management and maintaining a consistent level of pain control. Encouraging rest, quiet activities, or hot baths as distractions or alternatives may not provide adequate pain relief for the child with juvenile arthritis, and they do not address the underlying issue of effective pain management.

4. The healthcare provider is preparing to suture a 10-year-old child with a lacerated forehead. Both parents and a 12-year-old sibling are present at the child's bedside. Which instruction best supports family involvement?

• A. While waiting for the healthcare provider, only one visitor may stay with the child.
• B. All of you should leave while the healthcare provider sutures the child's forehead.
• C. It is best if the sibling goes to the waiting room until the suturing is completed.
• D. Please decide who will stay when the healthcare provider begins suturing.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Involving the family members in deciding who will stay when the healthcare provider begins suturing supports family involvement and helps reduce anxiety for the child. This approach respects the family's dynamics and preferences, promoting a supportive environment during the procedure.

5. When caring for a 5-year-old child with a history of seizures who suddenly begins to have a tonic-clonic seizure, what should the nurse do first?

• A. Administer oxygen
• B. Insert an oral airway
• C. Turn the child to the side
• D. Start an IV line

Correct answer: C

Rationale: During a tonic-clonic seizure, the priority action is to turn the child to the side. This helps maintain an open airway and prevents aspiration of secretions or vomitus. It also helps in keeping the airway clear and promotes safety during the seizure episode. Administering oxygen, inserting an oral airway, and starting an IV line are important interventions but should follow the initial step of positioning the child to prevent airway obstruction.

Similar Questions