Nursing Elites

1. Which of these specific measurements is the best index of a child's general health?

• A. Body mass index
• B. Height and weight
• C. Head circumference
• D. Chest circumference

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Height and weight are the most accurate measurements to assess a child's general health. These measurements reflect the physical growth and development of the child, indicating overall health status. Choices C and D, head circumference and chest circumference, are important measurements for specific assessments but do not provide as comprehensive an overview of general health as height and weight. Body mass index (BMI) is a calculation based on height and weight, making height and weight more direct and primary indicators of a child's health compared to BMI.

2. A healthcare professional is employed at a district health department and must spend several hours each day sitting at a desk. Which principle of ergonomics will most likely help them to reduce the risk of injury or pain in this situation?

• A. Adjust the chair height to keep the legs bent at the hips at a 90-degree angle
• B. Maintain the position of the computer monitor just below eye level
• C. Stand up and take a walk or stretch every 4 hours
• D. Rest wrists on the edge of the desk while typing

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When sitting for prolonged periods, it is important to adjust the height of the chair so that the legs are bent at the hips at a 90-degree angle. This position helps to reduce pressure on the back, legs, and feet, promoting better posture and reducing muscle fatigue. Standing up and moving around at least once every hour is crucial to support circulation and prevent stiffness. Maintaining the position of the computer monitor just below eye level helps reduce strain on the neck and eyes. Resting wrists on the edge of the desk while typing can lead to wrist strain and discomfort, so it is not an ergonomic recommendation for prolonged desk work.

3. The nurse is assessing the vital signs of a 3-year-old patient who appears to have an irregular respiratory pattern. How would the nurse assess this child's respirations?

• A. Respirations should be counted for 1 full minute.
• B. Child's pulse and respirations should be simultaneously checked for 30 seconds and then multiplied by 2.
• C. Child's respirations should be checked for a minimum of 5 minutes to identify any variations in his or her respiratory pattern.
• D. Patient's respirations should be counted for 15 seconds and then multiplied by 4.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: To accurately assess a child's respiratory pattern, the nurse should count respirations for a full minute. This duration provides a comprehensive view of the child's breathing pattern, ensuring abnormalities are not missed. Counting for only 30 seconds may not capture irregularities effectively. Checking respirations for 5 minutes is excessive and unnecessary for a routine assessment. Counting for 15 seconds and multiplying by 4 is not as precise as a full-minute count. Pulse and respirations should not be checked simultaneously; instead, the nurse should count respirations unobtrusively while appearing to take the child's pulse. Therefore, the correct approach is to count the child's respirations for 1 full minute to obtain an accurate assessment.

4. What is the primary route of transmission of MRSA?

• A. Shared needles
• B. Hands of healthcare workers
• C. Items in the healthcare environment
• D. Blood transfusions

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Hands of healthcare workers.' MRSA is primarily transmitted via the unwashed hands of healthcare workers who can carry the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium from one patient to another. Shared needles, items in the healthcare environment, and blood transfusions are not the main routes of transmission for MRSA. Shared needles can transmit bloodborne pathogens, items in the healthcare environment can harbor bacteria but are not the primary mode for MRSA, and blood transfusions are not a common route for MRSA transmission.

5. Which of the following may represent an upper airway obstruction?

• A. Retractions
• B. Elongated expiratory phase
• C. Stridor
• D. Expiratory wheezing

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Stridor is the sound produced by turbulent airflow through a partially obstructed upper airway. It is a classic sign of upper airway obstruction. While an elongated expiratory phase may indicate lower airway obstruction, stridor specifically points to an upper airway issue. Retractions are also often seen in upper airway obstruction due to the increased effort of breathing. Expiratory wheezing, on the other hand, is more indicative of lower airway conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

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