Nursing Elites

1. When responding to a call for a 2-year-old child who fell from a second-story window, with the mechanism of injury and the age of the patient in mind, you should suspect that the primary injury occurred to the child's:

• A. chest.
• B. head.
• C. lower extremities.
• D. abdomen.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In a scenario where a young child falls from a significant height like a second-story window, the primary injury is more likely to be to the head. This is because young children have proportionately larger head sizes compared to their body, making them more susceptible to head injuries in such falls. The chest (Choice A), lower extremities (Choice C), and abdomen (Choice D) are less likely to sustain the primary injury in this scenario, as the impact of the fall and the child's anatomy predispose the head to be the most affected area.

2. A 4-year-old boy with a tracheostomy tube is experiencing respiratory distress. He has intercostal retractions, a heart rate of 80 beats/min, and an oxygen saturation of 85%. During his attempts to breathe, a gurgling sound is heard in the tracheostomy tube. You should:

• A. Ventilate through the tracheostomy tube.
• B. Place an oxygen mask over the tracheostomy tube.
• C. Remove the tracheostomy tube and clean it.
• D. Carefully suction the tracheostomy tube.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this scenario, the 4-year-old boy with a tracheostomy tube is showing signs of respiratory distress, including intercostal retractions, a low heart rate, and decreased oxygen saturation. The gurgling sound indicates a possible airway obstruction. Correctly, the immediate action should be to carefully suction the tracheostomy tube. Suctioning can help clear any secretions or obstructions, thus improving the child's ability to breathe effectively. Ventilating through the tube, placing an oxygen mask over it, or removing and cleaning the tube would not address the potential obstruction and could worsen the respiratory distress.

3. Why is a prolapsed umbilical cord dangerous?

• A. The cord may be wrapped around the baby's neck, causing strangulation.
• B. The cord might pull the placenta from the uterine wall during delivery.
• C. The baby's head may compress the cord, cutting off its supply of oxygen.
• D. The mother may die of hypoxia due to compromised placental blood flow.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A prolapsed umbilical cord is dangerous because the baby's head may compress the cord, cutting off its supply of oxygen. This compression can lead to oxygen deprivation, potentially causing significant harm to the baby. Immediate medical intervention is crucial in such cases to prevent adverse outcomes.

4. After providing home care instructions to the mother of a child being discharged following cardiac surgery, which statement made by the mother indicates a need for further instructions?

• A. A balance of rest and exercise is important.
• B. I can apply lotion or powder to the incision if it is itchy.
• C. Activities in which falling could occur need to be avoided for two to four weeks.
• D. Large crowds of people need to be avoided for at least two weeks after the surgery.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The mother stating that she can apply lotion or powder to the incision if it is itchy indicates a need for further instructions. Applying lotion or powder to the incision is not recommended as it can increase the risk of infection. The other choices are correct: A) Balancing rest and exercise is important for recovery, C) avoiding activities where falling could occur is necessary to prevent injury, and D) avoiding large crowds helps reduce the risk of infections during the initial recovery period.

5. You have just delivered a baby girl. Your assessment of the newborn reveals that she has a patent airway, is breathing adequately, and has a heart rate of 130 beats/min. Her face and trunk are pink, but her hands and feet are cyanotic. You have clamped and cut the umbilical cord, but the placenta has not yet delivered. You should:

• A. reassess the newborn every 5 minutes and transport after the placenta delivers.
• B. keep the newborn warm, give oxygen to the mother if needed, and transport.
• C. massage the lower part of the mother's uterus until the placenta delivers.
• D. give the newborn high-flow oxygen via a non-rebreathing mask and transport.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this scenario, the appropriate action is to keep the newborn warm, ensure the mother receives oxygen if needed, and prepare for transport. The newborn is showing signs of central cyanosis (hands and feet being cyanotic), which can be due to various reasons, including inadequate oxygenation. Therefore, ensuring warmth and possible oxygen to the mother are important. Additionally, monitoring both the mother and baby during transport is crucial for their well-being.

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