Nursing Elites

1. When assessing the breath sounds of an 18-month-old child who is crying, what action should the healthcare professional take?

• A. Document that the assessment is not available because the child is crying.
• B. Ask the caregiver to quiet the child so breath sounds can be auscultated.
• C. Allow the child to play with a stethoscope to distract them during auscultation.
• D. Auscultate and document breath sounds, noting that the child was crying at the time.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Allowing the child to play with a stethoscope can help distract them, making it easier to auscultate breath sounds. This approach can create a more cooperative and engaging environment for the child, facilitating a more accurate assessment of their breath sounds. Choice A is incorrect because it does not address the need for an assessment. Choice B is not ideal as it puts pressure on the caregiver and may not be effective in calming the child. Choice D is not the best option as it does not actively involve the child in the assessment process and may not provide an accurate representation of their breath sounds.

2. A 10-year-old child is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which laboratory value should the practical nurse (PN) anticipate?

• A. Elevated blood glucose.
• B. Decreased serum ketones.
• C. Low urine glucose.
• D. High bicarbonate levels.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a case of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), the primary feature is elevated blood glucose levels due to insulin deficiency. Additionally, ketones are increased in the blood and urine. Bicarbonate levels are usually low because of the metabolic acidosis that accompanies DKA. Therefore, the practical nurse should anticipate elevated blood glucose levels as a characteristic laboratory finding in a child admitted with DKA. Choice B is incorrect because serum ketones are increased in DKA. Choice C is incorrect because in DKA, urine glucose is typically high due to spillage of glucose into the urine. Choice D is incorrect because bicarbonate levels are usually low in DKA, not high.

3. A 2-year-old child with heart failure (HF) is admitted for replacement of a graft for coarctation of the aorta. Prior to administering the next dose of digoxin (Lanoxin), the nurse obtains an apical heart rate of 128 bpm. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Determine the pulse deficit.
• B. Administer the scheduled dose.
• C. Calculate the safe dose range.
• D. Review the serum digoxin level.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Administering the scheduled dose is appropriate in this scenario since the heart rate of 128 bpm is within an acceptable range for a 2-year-old child with heart failure. Monitoring for signs of digoxin toxicity is important; however, the immediate action required is to administer the scheduled dose as prescribed based on the heart rate assessment.

4. The nurse finds a 6-month-old infant unresponsive and calls for help. After opening the airway and finding the XXXX, the infant is still not breathing. What action should the nurse take next?

• A. Palpate the femoral pulse and check for regularity.
• B. Deliver cycles of 30 chest compressions and 2 breaths.
• C. Give two breaths that make the chest rise.
• D. Feel the carotid pulse and check for adequate breathing.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a scenario where a 6-month-old infant is unresponsive and not breathing after the airway is open, giving two breaths that make the chest rise is the appropriate action. This helps deliver oxygen to the infant's lungs and can help initiate breathing. Chest compressions are not recommended for infants as the first step in resuscitation. Checking pulses like the femoral or carotid pulse is not the priority when an infant is not breathing, as providing oxygen through breaths is essential.

5. A 16-year-old female student with a history of asthma controlled with both an oral antihistamine and an albuterol (Proventil) metered-dose inhaler (MDI) comes to the school nurse. The student complains that she cannot sleep at night, feels shaky and her heart feels like it is 'beating a mile a minute.' Which information is most important for the nurse to obtain?

• A. When she last took the antihistamine.
• B. When her last asthma attack occurred.
• C. Duration of most asthma attacks.
• D. How often the MDI is used daily.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The most important information for the nurse to obtain in this scenario is how often the MDI is used daily. This is crucial to assess if the symptoms the student is experiencing, such as insomnia, shakiness, and tachycardia, could be related to overuse of the inhaler. Overuse of albuterol can lead to side effects like tremors, palpitations, and difficulty sleeping, so understanding the frequency of MDI use is key in determining a potential cause for the student's symptoms. Options A, B, and C are not as pertinent in this situation as they do not directly address the possible link between the student's symptoms and the use of the albuterol MDI.

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