Nursing Elites

1. A 2-year-old child who was admitted to the hospital for further surgical repair of a clubfoot is standing in the crib, crying. The child refuses to be comforted and calls for the mother. As the nurse approaches the crib to provide morning care, the child screams louder. Knowing that this behavior is typical of the stage of protest, what is the most appropriate nursing intervention?

• A. Use comforting measures while holding the child.
• B. Fill the basin with water and proceed to bathe the child.
• C. Sit by the crib and bathe the child later when the anxiety decreases.
• D. Postpone the bath for a day because a child this upset should not be traumatized further.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: During the stage of protest, children may exhibit distress and cling to familiar figures, resisting interactions with others. The most appropriate nursing intervention is to sit by the crib, offer comfort, and wait until the child's anxiety decreases before proceeding with bathing. This approach allows the child to feel supported and gradually transition to accepting care. Choice A is incorrect because forcing comfort may escalate the child's distress. Choice B is inappropriate as it disregards the child's emotional state and rushes into the bathing procedure. Choice D is not ideal as it suggests delaying care for an extended period, which may not address the child's immediate needs for comfort and hygiene.

2. Parents of a sick infant talk with a nurse about their baby. One parent says, “I am so upset; I didn’t realize our baby was ill.” What major indication of illness in an infant should the nurse explain to the parent?

• A. Grunting respirations
• B. Excessive perspiration
• C. Longer periods of sleep
• D. Crying immediately after feedings

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Longer periods of sleep than usual can be a sign of illness in infants. When an infant sleeps more than usual, it can indicate that the baby is conserving energy due to an underlying condition. Grunting respirations (choice A) can be a sign of respiratory distress, not just an indication of illness. Excessive perspiration (choice B) can occur due to various reasons and is not a specific major indication of illness. Crying immediately after feedings (choice D) is a common behavior in infants and not necessarily a major indication of illness.

3. When the working mother of a toddler is preparing to take her child home after a prolonged hospitalization, she asks the nurse what type of behavior she should expect to be displayed. What is the nurse’s most appropriate description of her child’s probable behavior?

• A. Excessively demanding behavior
• B. Hostile attitude toward the mother
• C. Cheerful, with shallow attachment behaviors
• D. Withdrawn, without emotional ties to the mother

Correct answer: A

Rationale: After a prolonged hospitalization, a toddler may exhibit excessively demanding behavior as they readjust to being home. This behavior can stem from the child feeling insecure or anxious about the changes in their environment. The child may seek extra attention and reassurance during this transition period. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because hostility, shallowness in attachment, and withdrawal without emotional ties are less likely behaviors to be displayed by a toddler readjusting to home after a hospital stay.

4. The nurse is caring for a child who has been admitted for a sickle cell crisis. What would the nurse do first to provide adequate pain management?

• A. Administer a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) as ordered.
• B. Use guided imagery and therapeutic touch.
• C. Administer meperidine as ordered.
• D. Initiate pain assessment with a standardized pain scale.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Initiating pain assessment with a standardized pain scale is crucial in effectively managing pain during a sickle cell crisis. This initial step helps the nurse understand the severity of the pain, which guides subsequent interventions. Administering medications, such as NSAIDs or meperidine, should only be done after a thorough pain assessment to ensure appropriate and individualized treatment. Using guided imagery and therapeutic touch may be beneficial as adjunct interventions, but they should not replace the essential first step of assessing the pain level accurately.

5. At 2 years of age, a child is readmitted to the hospital for additional surgery. What is the most important factor in preparing the toddler for this experience?

• A. Meeting the child’s wishes
• B. Previous hospitalization experience
• C. Preventing the child from staying with strangers
• D. Ensuring ongoing parental affection

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most important factor in preparing a toddler for additional surgery is their previous hospitalization experience. This familiarity with the hospital setting and procedures can help reduce anxiety and fear in the child. Choice A, meeting the child's wishes, may not always align with what is medically necessary or safe for the child. Choice C, preventing the child from staying with strangers, is important for general comfort but may not directly address the child's preparation for surgery. Choice D, ensuring ongoing parental affection, is crucial for emotional support but may not have the same impact as the child's previous hospitalization experience in preparing them for the surgery.

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