Nursing Elites

1. When reviewing developmental changes with the parents of a 6-month-old infant, what information should the practical nurse reinforce?

• A. Encourage the infant to self-feed finger foods.
• B. Teach the parents strategies to help the infant sit up.
• C. Provide a developmentally safe environment for the infant.
• D. Explain that an increased appetite typically occurs in the next 6 months.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because providing a developmentally safe environment for a 6-month-old infant is crucial as they begin to explore their surroundings more actively. This includes ensuring that the environment is free of hazards and that the infant is supervised to prevent accidents. Choice A is incorrect because self-feeding finger foods may not be developmentally appropriate for a 6-month-old infant. Choice B is incorrect as most infants are able to sit up with support around 6 months of age without the need for specific teaching strategies. Choice D is also incorrect as while appetite changes can occur, explaining a specific increase in appetite over the next 6 months is not a primary focus when discussing developmental changes with parents of a 6-month-old.

2. An adolescent female who is leaning forward with her hands on her knees to breathe tells the practical nurse that she has been using triamcinolone (Azmacort) inhalation aerosol before coming to the clinic. Which action should the PN implement?

• A. Obtain vital signs and assess breath sounds for wheezing.
• B. Collect a blood sample for white blood cell count.
• C. Give the client a nebulizer breathing treatment.
• D. Administer another dose of Azmacort.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a patient presents with breathing difficulties, the first action should be to assess vital signs and breath sounds to evaluate the severity of the condition. This assessment will provide crucial information to determine the appropriate course of action and treatment. Collecting a blood sample for a white blood cell count, giving a nebulizer treatment, or administering another dose of Azmacort would not be the initial priority in this situation. Therefore, option A is the correct choice as it focuses on assessing the patient's respiratory status to guide further interventions.

3. The nurse is providing care for a 12-year-old child who was recently diagnosed with scoliosis. The child’s parent asks about treatment options. What is the nurse’s best response?

• A. Scoliosis can be corrected with exercises and physical therapy.
• B. Bracing is often recommended to prevent further curvature of the spine.
• C. Surgery is usually necessary for all cases of scoliosis.
• D. There is no effective treatment for scoliosis.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Bracing is commonly used in moderate cases of scoliosis to prevent progression of the spinal curvature. Choice A is incorrect because exercises and physical therapy can help manage scoliosis but may not correct it. Choice C is incorrect as surgery is usually reserved for severe cases of scoliosis that do not respond to other treatments. Choice D is incorrect because there are effective treatments available for scoliosis, such as bracing, and surgery when necessary.

4. 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.

5. A 5-year-old child is brought to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain and vomiting. The child’s parent reports that the pain started suddenly and is located in the lower right abdomen. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Administer pain medication
• B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
• C. Start an IV line for fluid administration
• D. Obtain a complete blood count

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to notify the healthcare provider immediately. The child's presentation of sudden, severe abdominal pain in the lower right abdomen is highly concerning for appendicitis, a medical emergency. Promptly notifying the healthcare provider is crucial for further evaluation and management. Administering pain medication as the first action might mask symptoms and delay diagnosis. Starting an IV line for fluid administration and obtaining a complete blood count are important interventions but should come after healthcare provider notification.

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