Nursing Elites

1. Which drug is usually the best choice for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for a child in the immediate postoperative period?

• A. Codeine sulfate (Codeine)
• B. Morphine (Roxanol)
• C. Methadone (Dolophine)
• D. Meperidine (Demerol)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Morphine is the drug of choice for PCA in children because of its efficacy, safety profile, and rapid onset of action for pain management.

2. The child is admitted with acute abdominal pain and possible appendicitis. What intervention is appropriate to relieve the abdominal discomfort during the evaluation?

• A. Place the child in the Trendelenburg position.
• B. Apply moist heat to the abdomen.
• C. Allow the child to assume a position of comfort.
• D. Administer a saline enema to cleanse the bowel.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Allowing the child to assume a position of comfort is appropriate as it helps alleviate discomfort without the risk of complications. Placing the child in the Trendelenburg position could increase intra-abdominal pressure and worsen the condition. Applying moist heat may lead to vasodilation and potential perforation in case of appendicitis. Administering a saline enema can be harmful if the appendix is inflamed or perforated.

3. The nurse is explaining different parenting styles to a group of parents. The nurse explains that an authoritative parenting style can lead to which child behavior?

• A. Shyness
• B. Self-reliance
• C. Submissiveness
• D. Self-consciousness

Correct answer: B

Rationale: An authoritative parenting style, which balances warmth with firmness, is associated with fostering self-reliance and independence in children.

4. Which laboratory test would be most important for the nurse to assess when caring for a toddler suspected of having cystic fibrosis?

• A. Liver enzymes
• B. Serum calcium
• C. Sweat chloride test
• D. Urine creatinine

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The sweat chloride test is the primary diagnostic test for cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is characterized by abnormal transport of chloride and sodium across epithelial cell membranes, leading to increased chloride in sweat. This test is crucial for diagnosing cystic fibrosis in suspected cases. Liver enzymes (Choice A), serum calcium (Choice B), and urine creatinine (Choice D) are not specific tests for cystic fibrosis and would not provide the necessary information for diagnosis in this case.

5. 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.

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