Nursing Elites

1. What is an essential nursing action when caring for a young child with severe diarrhea?

• A. Maintain the IV.
• B. Take daily weights.
• C. Replace the lost calories.
• D. Promote perianal skin integrity.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Promoting perianal skin integrity is crucial when caring for a young child with severe diarrhea as it helps prevent skin breakdown from the irritation caused by frequent stooling. Maintaining the IV (Choice A) may be necessary but is not directly related to managing perianal skin integrity. Taking daily weights (Choice B) is important for monitoring fluid status but not the priority when addressing perianal skin integrity. While replacing lost calories (Choice C) is essential, promoting perianal skin integrity takes precedence in preventing complications associated with skin breakdown.

2. Following corrective surgery for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS), an infant is returned to the pediatric unit with an IV infusion in place. What is the priority nursing action?

• A. Apply adequate restraints.
• B. Administer a mild sedative.
• C. Assess the IV site for infiltration.
• D. Attach the nasogastric tube to wall suction.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The priority nursing action after a corrective surgery for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) is to assess the IV site for infiltration. This is crucial to ensure proper fluid administration and prevent complications such as extravasation or infiltration. Applying restraints (Choice A) is not indicated in this scenario and can compromise the infant's comfort and safety. Administering a mild sedative (Choice B) is not necessary and should only be done based on specific clinical indications. Attaching the nasogastric tube to wall suction (Choice D) may be important for certain conditions but is not the priority immediately post-surgery; assessing the IV site is more urgent to prevent potential complications related to IV therapy.

3. What behavior does a toddler subjected to prolonged hospitalization with limited parental visits typically exhibit?

• A. Cheerful interactions with staff members
• B. Indications of sadness throughout the day
• C. Excessive crying when parents are not present
• D. Limited emotional response to the environment

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Toddlers subjected to prolonged hospitalization with limited parental visits often exhibit a limited emotional response to the environment. This behavior is a common coping mechanism in young children facing such situations. While cheerful interactions with staff members (choice A) may occur occasionally, the overall response tends to be subdued. Indications of sadness throughout the day (choice B) and excessive crying when parents are not present (choice C) are less typical in this scenario, as the child may have learned to suppress emotions due to the challenging circumstances.

4. A nurse is assessing a child with suspected pertussis. What clinical manifestation is the nurse likely to observe?

• A. Dry, hacking cough
• B. Inspiratory stridor
• C. Nasal congestion
• D. Severe coughing spells

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Severe coughing spells. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, typically presents with severe coughing spells that can be followed by a characteristic 'whoop' sound. These coughing fits can be intense and prolonged, often causing the child to gasp for air between coughs. Option A, dry hacking cough, is a common symptom of other respiratory conditions like bronchitis. Option B, inspiratory stridor, is more commonly associated with conditions like croup. Option C, nasal congestion, is not a typical symptom of pertussis.

5. Upon assessing a newborn immediately after delivery, you note that the infant is breathing spontaneously and has a heart rate of 90 beats/min. What is the most appropriate initial management for this newborn?

• A. Begin positive pressure ventilations
• B. Provide blow-by oxygen with oxygen tubing
• C. Assess the newborn's skin condition and color
• D. Start chest compressions and contact medical control

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a newborn, a heart rate below 100 beats/min indicates the need for positive pressure ventilation to improve oxygenation. Providing blow-by oxygen or assessing skin condition/color may not address the primary issue of inadequate oxygenation due to the low heart rate. Starting chest compressions and contacting medical control is not warranted as the newborn is breathing spontaneously and only has a slightly low heart rate, which can be managed initially with positive pressure ventilations.

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