Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. You are providing a home health care assessment for a very low-income mother with three young children under 5 who all appear to be at nutritional risk. Which program would you refer them to in an attempt to reduce the risk and safeguard the health of this family?

• A. Division of Maternal and Child Health
• B. Medicaid
• C. Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children
• D. The State Children’s Health Insurance Program

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, the Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). WIC provides nutritional assistance to low-income pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children under 5. The Division of Maternal and Child Health (Choice A) focuses on promoting the health of mothers and children but does not provide direct nutritional assistance. Medicaid (Choice B) is a health insurance program for low-income individuals but does not specifically address nutritional needs. The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (Choice D) provides health insurance for children in low-income families but does not offer nutritional support like WIC does.

3. A parent and 4-year-old child are waiting in an exam room when the nurse enters and greets them. Which activity that the nurse observes the child doing would best demonstrate the primary developmental task of the preschool-age child, according to Erikson?

• A. Reading a book
• B. Singing a song he learned at preschool
• C. Opening drawers in the room, pulling out supplies, and examining them
• D. Roughhousing with the parent

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. According to Erikson, the primary task of a preschool-aged child is to explore and assert control over their environment. This behavior is demonstrated by the child opening drawers, pulling out supplies, and examining them, showcasing curiosity and exploration. Choices A, B, and D do not align with the primary developmental task of a preschool-age child according to Erikson. Reading a book and singing a song are more passive activities, while roughhousing with the parent does not directly relate to exploration and asserting control over the environment.

4. The nurse is educating a new nurse on the identification of pain in children. What does the nurse teach about physiologic measurements in children’s pain assessment?

• A. Not useful as the only indicator for pain
• B. Best indicator of pain in children of all ages
• C. Most valuable when children also report having pain
• D. Essential to determine whether a child is telling the truth about pain

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Physiologic manifestations of pain may vary considerably, so they do not provide a consistent measure of pain. Heart rate may increase or decrease. The same signs that may suggest fear, anxiety, or anger also indicate pain. In chronic pain, the body adapts, and these signs decrease or stabilize. Physiologic measurements are of limited value and must be viewed in the context of a pain rating scale, behavioral assessment, and parental report. When the child reports pain on an appropriate pain scale, the appropriate interventions should be used. Therefore, physiologic measurements are not considered a reliable standalone indicator for pain in children, making choice A the correct answer. Choice B is incorrect because physiologic measurements alone do not serve as the best indicator of pain. Choice C is incorrect as physiologic measurements are still limited even when children report pain. Choice D is incorrect as physiologic measurements are not primarily used to determine the truthfulness of a child's pain report.

5. The nurse is caring postoperatively for an 8-year-old child with multiple fractures and other traumatic injuries from a motor vehicle crash. The child is experiencing severe pain. What is an important consideration in managing the child’s pain?

• A. Give only an opioid analgesic at this time.
• B. Increase the dosage of analgesic until the child is adequately sedated.
• C. Plan a preventive schedule of pain medication around the clock.
• D. Give the child a clock and explain when they can have pain medications.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: For severe postoperative pain, a preventive around-the-clock schedule is necessary to prevent decreased plasma levels of medications. Providing only an opioid analgesic at this time may not be sufficient for effective pain management. Increasing the dosage without an order is unsafe and may lead to oversedation. Planning a preventive schedule of pain medication around the clock ensures consistent pain relief and better management. Giving the child a clock and explaining when they can have pain medications may increase the child's focus on waiting for relief rather than addressing the pain promptly, making it a less effective strategy.

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