Nursing Elites

1. What is the therapeutic intervention that provides the best chance of survival for a child with cirrhosis?

• A. Nutritional support
• B. Liver transplantation
• C. Blood component therapy
• D. Treatment with corticosteroids

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Liver transplantation offers the best chance of survival for children with cirrhosis, especially in advanced stages where the liver can no longer function effectively. Cirrhosis is a late stage of scarring of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions, such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism. While nutritional support, blood component therapy, and corticosteroids may be part of the treatment plan to manage symptoms and complications, they do not address the underlying cause of cirrhosis or provide a cure like liver transplantation does.

2. Which medication should the nurse expect to administer to a child diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome to decrease proteinuria?

• A. Albumin
• B. Prednisone
• C. Penicillin
• D. Furosemide (Lasix)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Prednisone, a corticosteroid, is the primary treatment for Nephrotic Syndrome as it helps to reduce inflammation in the kidneys and decrease proteinuria by stabilizing the glomerular filtration barrier. Albumin is a protein replacement therapy and would not directly decrease proteinuria. Penicillin is an antibiotic that treats bacterial infections and is not used to manage Nephrotic Syndrome. Furosemide is a diuretic that helps in managing fluid retention but does not specifically target proteinuria in Nephrotic Syndrome.

3. An infant with short bowel syndrome will be on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for an extended period of time. What should the nurse monitor the infant for?

• A. Central venous catheter infection, electrolyte losses, and hyperglycemia
• B. Hypoglycemia, catheter migration, and weight gain
• C. Venous thrombosis, hyperlipidemia, and constipation
• D. Catheter damage, red currant jelly stools, and hypoglycemia

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Infants with short bowel syndrome requiring prolonged total parenteral nutrition (TPN) are susceptible to central venous catheter infections, electrolyte losses, and hyperglycemia. Monitoring for these complications is crucial to prevent serious outcomes. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not reflect the common complications associated with prolonged TPN in infants.

4. A child diagnosed with a soft tissue tumor is being treated with chemotherapy. Prior to administering the chemotherapy, which laboratory test should the nurse monitor to determine if the child has any capability of fighting infections?

• A. Hemoglobin
• B. Red blood cell count
• C. Platelets
• D. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is crucial for determining the child's ability to fight infections. Neutrophils play a key role in combating bacterial infections. Monitoring the ANC is essential before administering chemotherapy, as a low ANC indicates an increased risk of infection. Hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and platelets are important for assessing oxygen-carrying capacity, anemia, and clotting function, respectively, but they do not directly reflect the child's capability to fight infections.

5. The mother of a child with type 1 diabetes asks the nurse why her child cannot avoid all those ‘shots’ and take pills like an uncle does. How should the nurse respond?

• A. The pills work with adult pancreases only.
• B. Your child needs insulin replaced, and the oral hypoglycemic only add to an existing supply of insulin.
• C. The drugs affect fat and protein metabolism, not sugar.
• D. Perhaps when your child is older the pancreas will produce its own insulin, and then your child can take oral hypoglycemic agents.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Children with type 1 diabetes require insulin replacement because their pancreas produces little or no insulin. Oral hypoglycemics used in type 2 diabetes work by improving the effectiveness of insulin the body already makes, which is not sufficient in type 1 diabetes. Choice A is incorrect because the issue is not about the pancreas being adult or child-specific but rather the type of diabetes. Choice C is incorrect because it misstates the mechanism of action of the medications. Choice D is incorrect because it provides inaccurate information about the potential for the child's pancreas to produce insulin in the future, which is unlikely in type 1 diabetes.

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