Nursing Elites

1. You are called to a residence for a 'sick' 5-year-old child. When you arrive and begin your assessment, you note that the child is unconscious with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min and a heart rate of 50 beats/min. Management of this child should consist of

• A. 100% oxygen via a non-rebreathing mask and rapid transport
• B. positive pressure ventilations with a BVM device and rapid transport
• C. chest compressions, artificial ventilations, and rapid transport
• D. back blows and chest thrusts while attempting artificial ventilations

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a 5-year-old child who is unconscious with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min and a heart rate of 50 beats/min, the priority is to initiate chest compressions, artificial ventilations, and rapid transport. These vital interventions are crucial in cases of severe respiratory and cardiovascular compromise. Choice A is incorrect because administering 100% oxygen alone may not address the underlying issues of inadequate ventilation and circulatory support. Choice B is not the most appropriate initial intervention in this scenario; chest compressions should precede positive pressure ventilations. Choice D is incorrect as back blows and chest thrusts are indicated in choking emergencies, not in this case of respiratory and cardiovascular compromise.

2. A child with a cardiac malformation associated with left-to-right shunting. What does this type of congenital disorder lead to primarily?

• A. Elevated hematocrit
• B. Severe growth retardation
• C. Clubbing of the fingers and toes
• D. Increased blood flow to the lungs

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Left-to-right shunting in a cardiac malformation results in increased blood flow to the lungs. This increased blood flow can lead to pulmonary hypertension and heart failure if left untreated. Elevated hematocrit (Choice A) is not a characteristic directly associated with left-to-right shunting. Severe growth retardation (Choice B) is not a typical manifestation of this type of congenital disorder. Clubbing of the fingers and toes (Choice C) is more commonly seen in conditions like chronic respiratory or cardiac diseases, not specifically with left-to-right shunting and associated cardiac malformations.

3. A parent tearfully tells a nurse, 'They think our child is developmentally delayed. We are thinking about investigating a preschool program for cognitively impaired children.' What is the nurse’s most appropriate response?

• A. Praise the parent for the decision and encourage the plan.
• B. Ask for more specific information related to the developmental delays.
• C. Advise the parent to have the healthcare provider help choose an appropriate program.
• D. Explain that this may be a premature action and the developmental delays could disappear.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most appropriate response for the nurse in this situation is to ask for more specific information related to the developmental delays. By seeking additional details, the nurse can better understand the situation, offer appropriate support, and provide guidance tailored to the child's specific needs. Praising the parent or encouraging the plan without understanding the full context may not be beneficial. Advising the parent to have the healthcare provider help choose a program assumes the parent has not already involved the healthcare provider, which may not be the case. Explaining that the developmental delays could disappear is not appropriate as it may give false hope or minimize the parent's concerns.

4. A 3-year-old child ingests a substance that may be a poison. The parent calls a neighbor who is a nurse and asks what to do. What should the nurse recommend the parent to do?

• A. Administer syrup of ipecac.
• B. Call the poison control center.
• C. Take the child to the emergency department.
• D. Give the child bread dipped in milk to absorb the poison.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In cases of potential poisoning, immediate guidance from professionals is crucial. Administering syrup of ipecac is no longer recommended routinely due to potential risks and lack of benefit. Taking the child to the emergency department is necessary in severe cases but may not always be the immediate action needed. Giving the child bread dipped in milk is not an appropriate method to manage poisoning and could potentially worsen the situation. Therefore, the most appropriate action for the nurse to recommend is to call the poison control center for expert advice on managing the situation.

5. A child has been admitted to the pediatric unit with a severe asthma attack. What type of acid-base imbalance should the nurse expect the child to develop?

• A. metabolic alkalosis due to insufficient production of acid metabolites
• B. respiratory alkalosis due to depressed respirations and retention of carbon dioxide
• C. respiratory acidosis due to impaired respirations and increased formation of carbonic acid
• D. metabolic acidosis due to the kidneys' inability to compensate for decreased carbonic acid formation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a severe asthma attack, the child is likely to develop respiratory acidosis. This occurs due to impaired respirations, leading to the retention of carbon dioxide and the formation of carbonic acid. Choice A is incorrect as metabolic alkalosis is not expected in this situation. Choice B is incorrect as respiratory alkalosis does not align with the scenario of impaired respirations in severe asthma attacks. Choice D is also incorrect as it describes metabolic acidosis, which is not typically associated with severe asthma attacks.

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