Nursing Elites

1. Which physiological acid-base balance complication would be most important for the nurse to assess in a patient with diarrhea?

• A. High serum pH
• B. Normal serum pH
• C. Metabolic alkalosis
• D. Metabolic acidosis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is metabolic acidosis. Diarrhea can lead to the loss of bicarbonate, causing an imbalance in the acid-base status of the body, specifically resulting in metabolic acidosis. High serum pH (choice A) is incorrect as diarrhea-induced bicarbonate loss would lower pH, not increase it. Normal serum pH (choice B) is not the best answer as diarrhea can disrupt the acid-base balance. Metabolic alkalosis (choice C) is an alkaline state, which is less likely to be caused by diarrhea.

2. Following treatment for iron deficiency anemia, the physician orders lab tests. Which lab value would indicate an improvement in the child’s condition?

• A. Low hemoglobin
• B. Normal platelet count
• C. High reticulocyte count
• D. Low hematocrit

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A high reticulocyte count indicates that the bone marrow is producing more red blood cells, which is a sign of recovery from anemia as the body replenishes its iron stores and increases hemoglobin levels. Low hemoglobin (Choice A) would indicate ongoing anemia rather than improvement. A normal platelet count (Choice B) and low hematocrit (Choice D) are not specific indicators of improvement in iron deficiency anemia.

3. Which characteristic best describes the fine motor skills of an infant at age 5 months?

• A. Neat pincer grasp
• B. Strong grasp reflex
• C. Builds a tower of two cubes
• D. Able to grasp object voluntarily

Correct answer: D

Rationale: By 5 months, infants develop the ability to grasp objects voluntarily, showing improved motor control. The neat pincer grasp and building towers are skills that develop later.

4. A child is admitted for minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). The nurse recognizes that the child’s prognosis is related to what factor?

• A. Admission blood pressure
• B. Creatinine clearance
• C. Amount of protein in urine
• D. Response to steroid therapy

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The prognosis for children with MCNS is closely related to their response to steroid therapy. A favorable response to steroids usually indicates a better prognosis, while poor response may require alternative treatments and can indicate a more complicated disease course.

5. The nurse is performing an oral examination on a preschool child. Which strategies should the nurse use to encourage the child to open the mouth for the examination? (Select all that apply.)

• A. Lightly brush the palate with a cotton swab
• B. Perform the examination in front of a mirror
• C. Let the child examine someone else's mouth first
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Using a cotton swab, allowing the child to observe, and demonstrating on someone else are effective ways to encourage a preschooler to open their mouth for examination.

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