Nursing Elites

1. When checking the intravenous (IV) site on a child, the nurse should take which action?

• A. Look at the site.
• B. Ask the child if the site hurts.
• C. Look at the site while palpating the area.
• D. Take all the tape off, assess the site, and redress.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Looking at and palpating the IV site helps assess for signs of infiltration or infection, such as swelling, redness, or pain. Simply looking or asking the child may miss subtle signs, and removing all the tape unnecessarily disrupts the site.

2. Which of the following is a hallmark sign of intussusception in children?

• A. Bilious vomiting
• B. "Currant jelly" stools
• C. Abdominal distention
• D. Constipation

Correct answer: B

Rationale: "Currant jelly" stools, consisting of mucus and blood, are characteristic of intussusception in children. It occurs due to the telescoping of a segment of the intestine into an adjacent segment, leading to obstruction and subsequent mucosal ischemia, causing the passage of bloody mucus in the stool. Bilious vomiting can be seen in other conditions like bowel obstruction, abdominal distention can be present but is not as specific, and constipation is less likely in the presentation of intussusception.

3. The nurse is planning a teaching session to adolescents about deaths by unintentional injuries. Which should the nurse include in the session with regard to deaths caused by injuries?

• A. More deaths occur in males
• B. More deaths occur in females
• C. The pattern of deaths does not vary according to age and sex
• D. The pattern of deaths does not vary widely among different ethnic groups

Correct answer: A

Rationale: More deaths due to unintentional injuries occur in males, which may be due to higher risk-taking behaviors.

4. Ongoing fluid losses can overwhelm the child’s ability to compensate, resulting in shock. What early clinical sign precedes shock?

• A. Tachycardia
• B. Slow respirations
• C. Warm, flushed skin
• D. Decreased blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Tachycardia is an early sign of shock as the body tries to maintain cardiac output in the face of declining circulatory volume. Blood pressure often remains normal until late in the progression, at which point decompensated shock is occurring.

5. What self-report pain rating scales can be used in children as young as 3 years of age?

• A. Poker Chip Tool
• B. Visual Analog Scale
• C. FACES Pain Rating Scale
• D. Word-Graphic Rating Scale

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The FACES Pain Rating Scale is suitable for children as young as 3 years of age. It uses facial expressions to depict different levels of pain, making it easy for young children to understand and use. The Poker Chip Tool is validated for children aged 4 and older who have a certain level of cognitive ability. The Visual Analog Scale is more appropriate for children aged 7 and above. The Word-Graphic Rating Scale, which uses descriptive words, is recommended for children in the age range of 4 to 17 years.

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