Nursing Elites

1. How should a nurse prepare a 15-month-old child diagnosed with hydrocephalus for a computed tomography (CT) scan?

• A. Shaving the child's head
• B. Starting the prescribed IV infusion
• C. Administering the prescribed sedative
• D. Giving the child a simple explanation of the procedure

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Preparing a toddler for a CT scan involves providing a simple explanation of the procedure to help reduce anxiety and fear. Shaving the child's head is unnecessary for a CT scan and may increase distress. Starting an IV infusion or administering sedatives may not be appropriate or necessary for all pediatric patients undergoing CT scans, especially if the child can cooperate without these interventions.

2. A child has coarctation of the aorta. What does the nurse expect to identify when taking the child’s vital signs?

• A. A weak radial pulse
• B. An irregular heartbeat
• C. A bounding femoral pulse
• D. An elevated radial blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a child has coarctation of the aorta, the nurse would expect to identify a weak radial pulse when taking the child's vital signs. Coarctation of the aorta results in a narrowing of the aorta, leading to reduced blood flow and a weakened pulse. An irregular heartbeat (Choice B) is less likely to be associated with coarctation of the aorta. Similarly, a bounding femoral pulse (Choice C) is not typically observed with this condition. An elevated radial blood pressure (Choice D) is less common as coarctation of the aorta usually causes decreased blood pressure in the lower extremities due to the aortic narrowing.

3. A parent asks a nurse how to tell the difference between measles (rubeola) and German measles (rubella). What should the nurse tell the parent about rubeola that is different from rubella?

• A. High fever and Koplik spots
• B. Rash on the trunk with pruritus
• C. Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps
• D. Characteristics of a cold, followed by a rash

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Rubeola (measles) is characterized by a high fever and the presence of Koplik spots, which are not seen in rubella (German measles). Therefore, the correct answer is A. Choice B, rash on the trunk with pruritus, is more indicative of rubella rather than rubeola. Choice C, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps, are not specific differentiating symptoms between rubeola and rubella. Choice D, characteristics of a cold followed by a rash, does not specifically distinguish between rubeola and rubella.

4. What would a healthcare professional expect to find when assessing the skin of a child with cellulitis?

• A. Red, raised hair follicles
• B. Warmth at skin disruption site
• C. Papules progressing to vesicles
• D. Honey-colored exudate

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Cellulitis is characterized by warmth at the site of skin disruption, indicating an infection. The correct answer is choice B. Choice A, 'Red, raised hair follicles,' is more indicative of folliculitis rather than cellulitis. Choice C, 'Papules progressing to vesicles,' is more characteristic of conditions like chickenpox, not cellulitis. Choice D, 'Honey-colored exudate,' is typical of wound infections with bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, not cellulitis.

5. A parent arrives in the emergency clinic with a 3-month-old baby who has difficulty breathing and prolonged periods of apnea. Which assessment data should alert the nurse to suspect shaken baby syndrome (SBS)?

• A. Birth occurred before 32 weeks’ gestation
• B. Lack of stridor and adventitious breath sounds
• C. Previous episodes of apnea lasting 10 to 15 seconds
• D. Retractions and use of accessory respiratory muscles

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Retractions and the use of accessory respiratory muscles are signs of respiratory distress in infants. These clinical manifestations can be associated with trauma, such as shaken baby syndrome (SBS), which can lead to severe head injuries and respiratory compromise. Birth before 32 weeks’ gestation (Choice A) is more related to prematurity complications rather than SBS. The absence of stridor and adventitious breath sounds (Choice B) may not be specific indicators of SBS. Previous episodes of apnea lasting 10 to 15 seconds (Choice C) alone may not be as concerning as the presence of retractions and use of accessory muscles in the context of a distressed infant.

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