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. A child with a diagnosis of sickle cell anemia is experiencing a vaso-occlusive crisis. What is the most important nursing intervention?

• A. Administering oxygen
• B. Administering pain medication
• C. Monitoring fluid intake
• D. Encouraging physical activity

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Administering pain medication is the most crucial nursing intervention during a vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell anemia. Pain management is a priority to alleviate the patient's discomfort and improve outcomes. Administering oxygen may be necessary in some cases but is not the primary intervention for vaso-occlusive crisis. Monitoring fluid intake is important in sickle cell anemia but is not the priority during a crisis situation. Encouraging physical activity is contraindicated during a vaso-occlusive crisis as it can exacerbate pain and complications.

3. The nurse is caring for a child and family who just moved out of a dangerous neighborhood. Which of the following approaches is appropriate based on the family stress theory?

• A. Determining who the decision-maker is
• B. Assessing the child's coping abilities
• C. Exploring how a sibling feels
• D. Explaining procedures to a sibling

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Assessing the child's coping abilities is appropriate based on the family stress theory because it helps the nurse understand how well the child can manage and adapt to the stressors related to the move. This assessment can guide interventions to support the child's emotional well-being and adjustment. Choices A, C, and D are not directly related to assessing the child's coping abilities and may not address the child's immediate needs during this stressful time.

4. Why should a nurse plan an evening snack for a child receiving Novolin N insulin?

• A. To encourage the child to adhere to the diet.
• B. To provide energy for immediate use.
• C. To help the child gain weight with extra calories.
• D. To counteract late insulin activity with nourishment.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Novolin N insulin peaks in the evening, which can lead to hypoglycemia during the night. Providing an evening snack helps to counteract the late insulin activity and prevent hypoglycemia. Choice A is incorrect because the primary reason for the evening snack is not to encourage adherence to the diet. Choice B is incorrect as the snack is not primarily for immediate energy use. Choice C is incorrect as the goal of the snack is not to help the child gain weight but to manage blood sugar levels.

5. What intervention best meets a major developmental need of a newborn in the immediate postoperative period?

• A. Giving a pacifier to the newborn
• B. Placing a mobile over the newborn's crib
• C. Providing the newborn with a soft, cuddly toy
• D. Warming the newborn's formula before feeding

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is giving a pacifier to the newborn. Sucking is a natural reflex and a source of comfort for newborns, especially postoperatively. Offering a pacifier can help meet their developmental needs by providing comfort and a soothing mechanism. Placing a mobile over the crib (choice B) may provide visual stimulation but does not directly address the newborn's developmental needs for comfort and self-soothing. Providing a soft, cuddly toy (choice C) may offer some comfort but may not be as effective in meeting the specific developmental need for sucking postoperatively. Warming the newborn's formula before feeding (choice D) relates more to feeding practices than directly addressing a major developmental need in the postoperative period.

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