Nursing Elites

1. What is an important consideration in understanding the reactions of parents when their infant is born with physical defects?

• A. Grief lasts until the defects are repaired.
• B. Denial is a common adaptive reaction.
• C. The psychologic reaction is similar to that with the death of an infant.
• D. Reactions of health professionals to the birth of an infant can affect parents’ reactions.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a parent's infant is born with physical defects, understanding the psychological reactions is crucial. The reaction is often similar to the grief experienced when facing the death of a child. Parents need to grieve for the loss of the expected child and adapt to the needs of a child with physical defects. The grief process typically involves stages like shock, frustration, and anger, which can last for years. Denial during the shock phase is not maladaptive but can help parents cope initially. Additionally, parents are sensitive to the behavior of health professionals, whose interactions can significantly influence the parents' reactions to the infant. Therefore, recognizing the similarity of the psychological reaction to grief is an important consideration in understanding how parents cope with their infant's physical defects.

2. The mother of a 6-year-old boy who has recently had surgery for the removal of his tonsils and adenoids complains that he has begun sucking his thumb again. Which defense mechanism should the nurse include when responding to the mother?

• A. Repression
• B. Regression
• C. Rationalization
• D. Fantasy

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Regression. Regression is a common defense mechanism where a child reverts to an earlier stage of development, such as thumb-sucking, to cope with stress. In this scenario, the 6-year-old boy is using thumb-sucking (a behavior typical of earlier developmental stages) as a way to deal with the stress of surgery. Repression (choice A) involves unconsciously blocking out thoughts or feelings, which is not applicable in this case. Rationalization (choice C) is a defense mechanism where illogical or unreasonable explanations are provided to justify behavior, which is not relevant here. Fantasy (choice D) refers to the use of imagination to escape from reality, which is also not the appropriate defense mechanism for the situation described.

3. The nurse is teaching parents about diarrhea in young children. A parent asks the nurse what causes most cases of diarrhea in young children. How should the nurse respond?

• A. Rotavirus
• B. Giardia
• C. Shigella
• D. Salmonella

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrhea in young children, particularly those under the age of 2. Giardia, Shigella, and Salmonella can also cause diarrhea, but in the context of young children, Rotavirus is the primary pathogen responsible for diarrheal illnesses.

4. Parents of a preschool child ask the nurse, "Should we set rules for our child as part of a discipline plan?" Which is an accurate response by the nurse?

• A. It is best to delay the punishment if a rule is broken.
• B. The child is too young for rules. At this age, unrestricted freedom is best.
• C. It is best to set the rules and reason with the child when the rules are broken.
• D. Set clear and reasonable rules and expect the same behavior regardless of the circumstances.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Clear and reasonable rules provide structure and help children understand expectations, promoting consistent behavior and discipline.

5. The nurse is caring for an infant who had surgical repair of a tracheoesophageal fistula 24 hours ago. Gastrostomy feedings have not been started. What do nursing actions related to the gastrostomy tube include?

• A. Keep the tube clamped.
• B. Suction the tube as needed.
• C. Leave the tube open to gravity drainage.
• D. Secure the tube with tape.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Leaving the gastrostomy tube open to gravity drainage prevents the accumulation of air and fluids, reducing the risk of complications such as vomiting or aspiration in the immediate postoperative period. Keeping the tube clamped or suctioning it can lead to pressure buildup, increasing the risk of complications. Securing the tube with tape is important but not the primary action related to the gastrostomy tube in this case.

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