Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. A child with acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) poisoning is being admitted to the emergency department. What early clinical manifestation does the nurse expect to assess on this child?

• A. Hematemesis
• B. Hematochezia
• C. Hyperglycemia
• D. Hyperventilation

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Early signs of aspirin poisoning include hyperventilation due to the stimulation of the respiratory center and the resultant respiratory alkalosis. Hematemesis, hematochezia, and hyperglycemia can occur later in the poisoning process or may not be directly related to aspirin toxicity.

3. The Denver II is a test used to assess children. What does it evaluate?

• A. Behavior problems
• B. Developmental status
• C. Body mass index
• D. Infection likelihood

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The Denver II Developmental Screening Test is used to assess a child's development in four areas: personal-social, fine motor-adaptive, language, and gross motor skills. It helps identify children who may need further evaluation. Choice A, behavior problems, is incorrect as the Denver II primarily focuses on developmental milestones rather than behavior. Choice C, body mass index, is unrelated to the assessment of child development. Choice D, infection likelihood, is also not evaluated by the Denver II test.

4. The nurse has just started assessing a young child who is febrile and appears ill. There is hyperextension of the child's head (opisthotonos) with pain on flexion. Which is the most appropriate action?

• A. Ask the parent when the neck was injured
• B. Refer for immediate medical evaluation
• C. Continue assessment to determine the cause of the neck pain
• D. Record head lag on the assessment record and continue the assessment of the child

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Opisthotonos with pain on flexion is a sign of possible meningitis or other serious neurological conditions, requiring immediate medical evaluation.

5. What is the priority nursing intervention for a child with epiglottitis?

• A. Administer antibiotics
• B. Maintain airway patency
• C. Provide hydration
• D. Monitor vital signs

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Maintain airway patency. When dealing with a child with epiglottitis, the priority nursing intervention is to ensure airway patency to prevent airway obstruction, which can lead to respiratory distress or failure. Administering antibiotics (choice A) is important to treat the infection, but airway management takes precedence. Providing hydration (choice C) and monitoring vital signs (choice D) are essential aspects of care but are secondary to securing the airway in a child with epiglottitis.

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