Nursing Elites

1. You are dispatched to a residence for a 4-year-old female who is sick. Your assessment reveals that she has increased work of breathing and is making a high-pitched sound during inhalation. Her mother tells you that she has been running a high fever for the past 24 hours. Your MOST immediate concern should be:

• A. determining if the child has a history of croup.
• B. preparing to treat her for a febrile seizure.
• C. assessing the need for ventilation assistance.
• D. taking her temperature to see how high it is.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a child with increased work of breathing, a high-pitched sound during inhalation, and a high fever, upper airway obstruction should be suspected. The child's condition may require immediate ventilation assistance to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation. Therefore, the most immediate concern in this scenario is to assess the need for ventilation assistance.

2. How should the nurse prepare the sibling of a near-drowning accident victim who wants to see his brother in the pediatric intensive care unit, considering the child was present during the accident?

• A. Have the parents explain to the child why the sibling is so sick and inform the child that this could be the last time he sees his brother.
• B. Reassure the sibling not to cry in the child's room to avoid upsetting the ill child.
• C. If death is imminent, avoid informing the child about it and minimize involvement in care to protect the child from further trauma.
• D. Cover tubes and wires with a sheet, wash off any existing blood, and prepare him for what he will see.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When preparing a sibling to see their brother in the pediatric intensive care unit after a near-drowning accident, it is essential to cover tubes and wires with a sheet, wash off any existing blood, and explain what the sibling will see. This approach helps the sibling understand the situation better and prepares them emotionally for the encounter, reducing potential distress and trauma. By providing information and visual preparation, the sibling can have a more controlled and less overwhelming experience when visiting their brother in the intensive care unit. Choice A is incorrect as informing the child that this could be the last time he sees his sibling may cause unnecessary distress and anxiety. Choice B is incorrect as it dismisses the sibling's emotional response, which is essential to address in a supportive manner. Choice C is incorrect as honesty and appropriate information sharing are crucial, even in difficult situations, to help the child cope effectively with the circumstances.

3. A postpartum client is experiencing difficulty voiding. What should the nurse include in the care plan to assist the client?

• A. Encourage the client to drink caffeine-free beverages.
• B. Apply a warm compress to the client's lower abdomen.
• C. Encourage increased fluid intake to promote urinary flow.
• D. Assist the client with Kegel exercises.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Applying a warm compress to the lower abdomen can help relax the muscles and stimulate voiding in postpartum clients. It promotes vasodilation, increases blood flow to the area, and can aid in relieving urinary retention. Encouraging caffeine-free beverages can also be beneficial as caffeine can irritate the bladder and worsen the situation. Increasing fluid intake helps prevent urinary stasis and promotes bladder emptying. Kegel exercises can strengthen pelvic floor muscles over time, but in the immediate situation of difficulty voiding, a warm compress is more appropriate.

4. The healthcare provider is preparing to administer Rh immune globulin (RhoGAM) to a postpartum client. This medication is indicated for:

• A. Rh-negative individuals with Rh-positive infants
• B. Rh-positive individuals with Rh-negative infants
• C. All individuals regardless of Rh status
• D. Individuals with a history of Rh incompatibility

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Rh immune globulin (RhoGAM) is administered to Rh-negative individuals who have given birth to Rh-positive infants to prevent Rh sensitization. When an Rh-negative individual gives birth to an Rh-positive infant, there is a risk of the mother developing antibodies against the Rh-positive blood cells, which can lead to hemolytic disease of the newborn in subsequent pregnancies. Rh immune globulin is given to prevent this sensitization in Rh-negative individuals who deliver Rh-positive infants.

5. 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.

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