Nursing Elites

1. You are managing a 10-month-old infant who has had severe diarrhea and vomiting for 3 days and is now showing signs of shock. You have initiated supplemental oxygen therapy and elevated the lower extremities. En route to the hospital, you note that the child's work of breathing has increased. What must you do first?

• A. Lower the extremities and reassess the child
• B. Begin positive pressure ventilations and reassess the child
• C. Place a nasopharyngeal airway and increase the oxygen flow
• D. Listen to the lungs with a stethoscope for abnormal breath sounds

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the infant is presenting with signs of respiratory distress, as evidenced by the increased work of breathing. Lowering the extremities can help reduce the workload on the diaphragm and improve respiratory mechanics. This action can be beneficial in optimizing the infant's breathing before considering more invasive interventions. Option B, initiating positive pressure ventilations, should be considered if the infant's condition deteriorates further and not as the first step. Option C, placing a nasopharyngeal airway and increasing oxygen flow, is not indicated as the primary intervention for increased work of breathing. Option D, listening to the lungs with a stethoscope, may provide additional information but is not the most urgent action needed in this situation.

2. What is the most important intervention for a nurse to implement for a child with sickle cell anemia admitted to the hospital during a vaso-occlusive crisis?

• A. Administering oxygen
• B. Ensuring adequate hydration
• C. Monitoring vital signs
• D. Administering pain medication

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Ensuring adequate hydration is crucial during a vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell anemia as it helps to reduce the viscosity of the blood and prevent further sickling of the cells. While administering oxygen may be necessary in some cases, ensuring hydration takes precedence as it directly impacts the underlying pathophysiology of the crisis. Monitoring vital signs is important for ongoing assessment but does not directly address the crisis as hydration does. Administering pain medication is important for pain relief but does not address the primary issue of vaso-occlusion and is not the most crucial intervention in this scenario.

3. A 7-year-old child has an altered mental status, high fever, and a generalized rash. You perform your assessment and initiate oxygen therapy. En route to the hospital, you should be most alert for:

• A. vomiting
• B. seizures
• C. combativeness
• D. respiratory distress

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In a pediatric patient presenting with altered mental status, high fever, and a generalized rash, seizures are a significant concern. Febrile seizures can occur in children with high fevers and may lead to further complications. It is crucial to monitor for seizures and be prepared to manage them promptly. Vomiting, combativeness, and respiratory distress are also important considerations in pediatric patients; however, given the clinical presentation described, seizures take priority as they are a common complication in this scenario.

4. What definitive diagnostic procedure does the nurse expect to be used to confirm the diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease in a 1-month-old infant?

• A. Colonoscopy
• B. Rectal biopsy
• C. Multiple saline enemas
• D. Fiberoptic nasoenteric tube

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Rectal biopsy is the definitive diagnostic procedure for Hirschsprung disease in infants. This procedure reveals the absence of ganglion cells in the affected bowel segment, which is a hallmark of Hirschsprung disease. Colonoscopy (Choice A) is not typically used for diagnosing Hirschsprung disease due to the risk of not accurately reaching the affected segment. Multiple saline enemas (Choice C) are not used to confirm the diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease. Fiberoptic nasoenteric tube (Choice D) is not a standard diagnostic procedure for Hirschsprung disease and does not provide the necessary information to confirm the absence of ganglion cells in the affected bowel segment.

5. A 2-year-old child with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is being discharged. What should the nurse include in the discharge teaching?

• A. Maintain a structured routine
• B. Encourage social interaction
• C. Use positive reinforcement
• D. Use a communication board

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to maintain a structured routine. Children with autism spectrum disorder benefit greatly from structured routines as they provide a sense of stability and predictability, which can help reduce anxiety and improve behavior. Encouraging social interaction (Choice B) is important but may need to be approached in a structured manner to prevent overwhelming the child. Positive reinforcement (Choice C) is also beneficial for behavior management but may not address the overall need for routine and predictability that is crucial for children with autism. Using a communication board (Choice D) may be helpful for facilitating communication, but establishing and maintaining a structured routine is fundamental for supporting the child's development and well-being in managing their autism spectrum disorder.

Similar Questions