Nursing Elites

1. What is the most critical physiologic change required of newborns at birth?

• A. Transition from fetal to neonatal breathing
• B. Body temperature maintenance
• C. Stabilization of fluid and electrolytes
• D. Closure of fetal shunts in the heart

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Transition from fetal to neonatal breathing. The onset of breathing is the most immediate and critical physiologic change required for the transition to extrauterine life. Factors that interfere with this normal transition increase fetal asphyxia, which is a condition of hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and acidosis. While body temperature maintenance, stabilization of fluid and electrolytes, and closure of fetal shunts in the heart are crucial changes in the transition to extrauterine life, breathing and the exchange of oxygen for carbon dioxide must take precedence as they are essential for newborn survival.

2. Which is the leading cause of death in infants younger than 1 year in the United States?

• A. Congenital anomalies
• B. Sudden infant death syndrome
• C. Disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight
• D. Maternal complications specific to the perinatal period

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Congenital anomalies are the leading cause of death in infants younger than 1 year in the United States.

3. What should the nurse include in the discharge instructions for the parents of an infant diagnosed with acute otitis media?

• A. Keep the baby in an elevated position during sleep
• B. Administer an antibiotic
• C. Place the baby to sleep with a bottle
• D. Administer acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve discomfort

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is recommended to help relieve the discomfort associated with acute otitis media, such as pain and fever. Elevating the baby's head during sleep can also help with drainage and relieve pressure, making choice A incorrect. Administering an antibiotic may be necessary for bacterial otitis media but is not usually the first-line treatment for acute otitis media, so choice B is incorrect. Placing the baby to sleep with a bottle can increase the risk of ear infections due to the pooling of milk around the Eustachian tube, so choice C is incorrect.

4. The nurse determines that a child's intravenous infusion has infiltrated. The infused solution is a vesicant. What is the most appropriate nursing action?

• A. Stop the infusion and apply ice.
• B. End the infusion and notify the practitioner.
• C. Slow the infusion rate and notify the practitioner.
• D. Discontinue the infusion and apply warm compresses.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: If a vesicant solution infiltrates, stopping the infusion immediately and notifying the practitioner is critical to prevent tissue damage. Cold or warm compresses should only be applied following specific medical advice based on the vesicant involved.

5. A school-age child is admitted to the pediatric unit with a vaso-occlusive crisis. Which of these should be included in the nursing plan of care?

• A. Correction of alkalosis
• B. Pain management and administration of heparin
• C. Adequate oxygenation and replacement of factor VIII to correct the sickling
• D. Adequate hydration, oxygenation, and pain management

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell anemia require a comprehensive approach that includes adequate hydration to reduce blood viscosity, oxygenation to prevent further sickling of red blood cells, and aggressive pain management. This approach helps improve tissue perfusion and manage pain effectively. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Correction of alkalosis is not a priority in vaso-occlusive crisis management. Administration of heparin is not indicated as it can increase the risk of bleeding in sickle cell patients. Factor VIII replacement is not relevant to sickle cell anemia as it is a treatment for hemophilia, not sickle cell disease.

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