Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following clinical signs would MOST suggest acute respiratory distress in a 2-month-old infant?

• A. Heart rate of 130 beats/min
• B. Respiratory rate of 30 breaths/min
• C. Abdominal breathing
• D. Grunting respirations

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Grunting respirations are a key clinical sign of acute respiratory distress in infants. Grunting is a protective mechanism where the infant exhales against a partially closed glottis to increase functional residual capacity and oxygenation. This is often seen in conditions such as respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, or other causes of respiratory compromise in infants. Monitoring respiratory patterns like grunting is crucial for early recognition and intervention in infants with respiratory distress. Choices A, B, and C are less specific to acute respiratory distress in infants. While an elevated heart rate and respiratory rate can be present in respiratory distress, grunting respirations are a more direct indicator of significant respiratory compromise in infants.

2. Beta-adrenergic agonists such as albuterol are given to Reggie, a child with asthma, to primarily do which of the following?

• A. Dilate the bronchioles
• B. Reduce secondary infections
• C. Decrease postnasal drip
• D. Reduce airway inflammation

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Beta-adrenergic agonists like albuterol are bronchodilators that primarily work by relaxing and dilating the bronchioles, which helps to alleviate bronchoconstriction, a characteristic feature of asthma. This action leads to improved airflow and easier breathing for individuals experiencing asthma symptoms.

3. A 6-year-old male is hospitalized in stable condition with multiple fractures following a car accident. The child's parents tell the nurse that their 7-year-old daughter is very upset about the accident and is concerned that her brother will die. Which suggestion by the nurse is most appropriate?

• A. Encourage the parents to phone the sister frequently with updates on her brother's condition.
• B. Suggest that the sister come to the hospital for a visit.
• C. Suggest that one parent leave the hospital to spend extra time with their daughter at home.
• D. Remind the parents that it is normal for children to be upset when their sibling is hospitalized.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In situations where a sibling is upset about a family member being hospitalized, suggesting that the sister come to the hospital for a visit can help alleviate her concerns. This allows the sister to see her brother, ask questions, and receive reassurance from seeing him in stable condition. Direct contact and interaction can often provide more comfort and understanding than phone calls or staying at home. Encouraging phone calls (Choice A) might not provide the same level of comfort as a physical visit. While spending extra time with the daughter at home (Choice C) is important, in this scenario, facilitating a visit to the hospital can address the daughter's immediate concerns better. Reminding the parents that it is normal for children to be upset (Choice D) is not as proactive as arranging for the sister to visit her brother.

4. What assessment finding places a newborn at risk for developing physiologic jaundice?

• A. Cephalohematoma
• B. Mongolian spots
• C. Telangiectatic nevi
• D. Molding

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Cephalohematoma. Physiologic jaundice in newborns can occur due to the breakdown of excess red blood cells. A cephalohematoma, a collection of blood caused by ruptured blood vessels between a cranial bone's surface and periosteal membrane, can lead to increased red blood cell breakdown. This increased breakdown can contribute to the development of physiologic jaundice in newborns. Choices B, Mongolian spots, and C, Telangiectatic nevi, are both benign skin conditions and are not directly associated with increased red blood cell breakdown. Choice D, Molding, refers to the shaping of the fetal head during passage through the birth canal and is not related to the development of physiologic jaundice.

5. Which of the following findings is abnormal?

• A. Rapid, irregular breathing in a newly born infant
• B. Heart rate of 80 beats/min in a 3-month-old infant
• C. Respiratory rate of 26 breaths/min in a 2-year-old child
• D. Systolic BP of 100 mm Hg in a 10-year-old child

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A heart rate of 80 beats per minute in a 3-month-old infant is abnormally low for that age group and could indicate underlying health issues. The normal heart rate for a 3-month-old infant is typically higher, around 100-150 beats per minute. Therefore, this finding stands out as abnormal and warrants further evaluation. Choice A is not necessarily abnormal in a newly born infant as irregular breathing patterns can be common during the neonatal period. Choice C falls within the normal respiratory rate range for a 2-year-old child, which is around 20-30 breaths per minute. Choice D reflects a systolic blood pressure value within the normal range for a 10-year-old child, which is typically around 90-110 mm Hg.

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