Nursing Elites

1. A 3-year-old female has had severe diarrhea and vomiting for 4 days. She is now unresponsive with rapid, shallow respirations and thready radial pulses. Her heart rate is 160 beats/min, and her oxygen saturation is 88%. You should:

• A. Ventilate her with a bag-valve mask.
• B. Start chest compressions.
• C. Administer high-flow oxygen via a non-rebreathing mask.
• D. Place her in the recovery position.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a pediatric patient presenting with unresponsiveness, rapid, shallow respirations, thready pulses, high heart rate, and low oxygen saturation, the priority is to ensure adequate oxygenation. Ventilating the child with a bag-valve mask is crucial in this scenario to support her breathing and improve oxygenation, as indicated by her low oxygen saturation and respiratory distress. Starting chest compressions is not indicated as the child has a pulse. Administering high-flow oxygen via a non-rebreathing mask may not be as effective as providing positive pressure ventilation with a bag-valve mask in this situation. Placing her in the recovery position is not appropriate when the child is unresponsive and in respiratory distress.

2. You are dispatched to a residence for a 5-year-old child who is not breathing. Upon arrival, you find the child supine on the floor, cyanotic, and unresponsive. You should first:

• A. begin chest compressions.
• B. open the airway and give two rescue breaths.
• C. apply an AED and analyze the rhythm.
• D. ask the parent for the child's medical history.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When encountering an unresponsive and not breathing child, the initial step is to open the airway and provide two rescue breaths. This action helps to deliver oxygen to the child's lungs and body, which is crucial in attempting to restore breathing and circulation. Chest compressions are not initiated first in pediatric cases unless the child has no signs of circulation after delivering rescue breaths. Applying an AED and analyzing the rhythm is not the initial step in a pediatric cardiac arrest scenario, as the primary focus should be on providing oxygenation. Asking the parent for the child's medical history is not the immediate priority when the child is unresponsive and not breathing, as interventions to support breathing and circulation should be the primary concern.

3. What is the reason for Asthma in 4-year-old Mabele, as Mrs. Joyce Thomson inquires? How would you explain it?

• A. Asthma occurs due to inflammation of the respiratory tract triggered by infections.
• B. An asthmatic attack can occur when the child is exposed to certain allergens, triggering an allergic reaction in the bronchioles that causes bronchial constriction.
• C. An asthmatic attack is a response to the release of inflammatory mediators to epithelial cells, affecting the autonomic neural control of the airway.
• D. Asthma is not an inborn problem; it involves abnormal growth of the bronchial tree causing restriction.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Asthma in children like Mabele can be triggered by exposure to allergens, leading to an allergic reaction in the bronchioles. This reaction causes constriction of the bronchial tree, resulting in an asthmatic attack. It is essential for caregivers to identify and minimize exposure to these triggers to manage and prevent asthma episodes effectively.

4. During the 'Provide practical treatment' phase, what is the nurse expected to do?

• A. Greet the mother and inquire about the history
• B. Assess for danger signs
• C. Give appropriate treatment
• D. Check vital signs

Correct answer: C

Rationale: During the 'Provide practical treatment' phase, the nurse is expected to give appropriate treatment to address the patient's needs. This involves implementing the necessary medical interventions or care based on the assessment findings and treatment plan. While greeting the mother, assessing for danger signs, and checking vital signs are important aspects of patient care, the focal point during this phase is to administer the specific treatment required to manage the patient's condition effectively.

5. What percentage of total body surface area has been burned in a 5-year-old child who experienced partial-thickness burns to his head, anterior chest, and both upper extremities?

• A. 45%
• B. 63%
• C. 72%
• D. 54%

Correct answer: A

Rationale: According to the pediatric rule of nines, the head and neck represent 18%, the anterior chest and abdomen 18%, and each arm 9%. By adding these percentages (18% + 18% + 9% + 9% = 45%), we find that 45% of the total body surface area has been burned in this child.

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