Nursing Elites

1. What disease should be suspected in a 3-day-old infant presenting with abdominal distention, vomiting, and failure to pass meconium?

• A. Pyloric stenosis
• B. Intussusception
• C. Hirschsprung disease
• D. Celiac disease

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Hirschsprung disease should be suspected in a newborn with abdominal distention, vomiting, and failure to pass meconium. This condition arises from a congenital absence of nerve cells in a portion of the colon, leading to severe constipation and intestinal obstruction. Pyloric stenosis typically presents with non-bilious projectile vomiting in the first few weeks of life. Intussusception classically manifests with sudden onset of colicky abdominal pain and currant jelly stools. Celiac disease may present with chronic diarrhea, failure to thrive, and abdominal distention but is less likely in this scenario.

2. When assessing a child with chronic renal failure, which clinical manifestations would the nurse expect to find?

• A. Uremic frost
• B. Hypotension
• C. Massive hematuria
• D. Severe metabolic acidosis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When assessing a child with chronic renal failure, the nurse would expect to find uremic frost as a clinical manifestation. Uremic frost, a white powdery deposit of urea on the skin, occurs in severe cases of chronic renal failure due to the accumulation of urea and other waste products in the blood. Hypotension and massive hematuria are less common in chronic renal failure, while severe metabolic acidosis is typically mild to moderate and not a prominent clinical manifestation.

3. Which is the leading cause of death in infants younger than 1 year in the United States?

• A. Congenital anomalies
• B. Sudden infant death syndrome
• C. Disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight
• D. Maternal complications specific to the perinatal period

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Congenital anomalies are the leading cause of death in infants younger than 1 year in the United States.

4. What is a common significant side effect of opioid administration?

• A. Euphoria
• B. Diuresis
• C. Constipation
• D. Allergic reactions

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Constipation is one of the most common side effects of opioid administration due to the slowing down of gastrointestinal motility. Opioids affect the bowel movements, leading to constipation. Euphoria, while a possible effect, is less common than constipation. Diuresis is not a typical side effect of opioids; instead, urinary retention may occur. Allergic reactions are rare side effects of opioids, with symptoms such as rash, itching, or anaphylaxis.

5. A 5-year-old has patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for pain management after abdominal surgery. What information does the nurse include in teaching the parents about the PCA?

• A. The child may not be pain-free.
• B. The parents or nurse may push the button for a bolus if needed.
• C. The pump allows for a continuous basal rate to deliver a constant amount of medication for pain control.
• D. Monitoring is required every 1 to 2 hours to assess patient response.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the PCA pump can be programmed to deliver a continuous basal rate of pain medication to maintain pain control. While the goal of PCA is effective pain relief, it does not guarantee a pain-free state. In the case of a 5-year-old child, the parents or nurse can administer boluses if necessary since the child may not fully comprehend using the PCA button. Monitoring every 1 to 2 hours for patient response is adequate and there is no need for monitoring every 15 minutes, as stated in choice D, unless specific circumstances dictate more frequent monitoring.

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