Nursing Elites

1. Why should the nurse closely monitor the IV flow rate for a 5-month-old infant with severe diarrhea receiving IV fluids?

• A. Maintaining electrolyte balance
• B. Preventing dehydration
• C. Preventing fluid overload
• D. Avoiding cardiac overload

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In infants, monitoring IV flow rates is essential to prevent fluid overload, not cardiac overload. Excessive fluid administration can lead to complications such as pulmonary edema or congestive heart failure. It is crucial to maintain a balance between providing adequate hydration and avoiding fluid overload to prevent adverse outcomes. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because the primary concern is to prevent complications related to excess fluid rather than focusing on electrolyte balance, dehydration prevention, or avoiding cardiac overload.

2. Why should a nurse plan an evening snack for a child receiving Novolin N insulin?

• A. To encourage the child to adhere to the diet.
• B. To provide energy for immediate use.
• C. To help the child gain weight with extra calories.
• D. To counteract late insulin activity with nourishment.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Novolin N insulin peaks in the evening, which can lead to hypoglycemia during the night. Providing an evening snack helps to counteract the late insulin activity and prevent hypoglycemia. Choice A is incorrect because the primary reason for the evening snack is not to encourage adherence to the diet. Choice B is incorrect as the snack is not primarily for immediate energy use. Choice C is incorrect as the goal of the snack is not to help the child gain weight but to manage blood sugar levels.

3. You are managing a 10-month-old infant who has had severe diarrhea and vomiting for 3 days and is now showing signs of shock. You have initiated supplemental oxygen therapy and elevated the lower extremities. En route to the hospital, you note that the child's work of breathing has increased. What must you do first?

• A. Lower the extremities and reassess the child
• B. Begin positive pressure ventilations and reassess the child
• C. Place a nasopharyngeal airway and increase the oxygen flow
• D. Listen to the lungs with a stethoscope for abnormal breath sounds

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the infant is showing signs of shock with increased work of breathing. Lowering the extremities helps improve venous return to the heart, cardiac output, and oxygenation by reducing the pressure on the diaphragm. This action can alleviate the respiratory distress and is a critical step to take in a child with signs of shock. Beginning positive pressure ventilations (Choice B) should be considered if the infant's respiratory distress worsens despite lowering the extremities. Placing a nasopharyngeal airway and increasing oxygen flow (Choice C) may not directly address the increased work of breathing or the underlying shock condition. Listening to the lungs with a stethoscope (Choice D) may provide information on lung sounds but does not address the immediate need to improve breathing in a child with signs of shock.

4. After corrective surgery for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS), what should the nurse teach a parent to do immediately after a feeding to limit vomiting?

• A. Rock the infant.
• B. Place the infant in an infant seat.
• C. Place the infant flat on the right side.
• D. Keep the infant awake with sensory stimulation.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: After corrective surgery for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS), placing the infant in an infant seat is the correct action to take immediately after feeding to limit vomiting. This position helps keep the head elevated, reducing the risk of vomiting. Rocking the infant (Choice A) may agitate the stomach and increase the likelihood of vomiting. Placing the infant flat on the right side (Choice C) is not recommended as it does not encourage proper digestion and may increase the risk of vomiting. Keeping the infant awake with sensory stimulation (Choice D) does not address the positioning concern related to vomiting in this specific post-operative scenario.

5. A child with type 1 diabetes mellitus is being discharged from the hospital. What is important for the nurse to include in the discharge teaching?

• A. Monitor blood glucose levels once a day
• B. Follow a strict meal plan
• C. Administer insulin only when blood glucose is high
• D. Recognize signs of hypoglycemia

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Recognizing signs of hypoglycemia is essential for managing type 1 diabetes mellitus. Hypoglycemia, which occurs when blood glucose levels drop too low, can be dangerous and requires immediate intervention to prevent severe complications. Monitoring blood glucose levels more frequently than once a day, following a strict meal plan, and administering insulin only when blood glucose is high are important aspects of diabetes management but recognizing signs of hypoglycemia is crucial as it enables prompt action to prevent adverse outcomes.

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