a 6 year old child with asthma is admitted to the hospital with an acute exacerbation what is the priority nursing intervention
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Nursing Elites

HESI LPN

Pediatric HESI 2024

1. A 6-year-old child with asthma is admitted to the hospital with an acute exacerbation. What is the priority nursing intervention?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering a bronchodilator is the priority intervention for a child experiencing an acute asthma exacerbation. Bronchodilators help to dilate the airways, making breathing easier and relieving acute symptoms of asthma. Antihistamines are not the first-line treatment for asthma exacerbations; they are more commonly used for allergic reactions. Corticosteroids are beneficial in reducing inflammation in asthma but are usually administered after bronchodilators to provide long-term control. Oxygen therapy may be necessary in severe cases of asthma exacerbation, but bronchodilators take precedence in improving airway patency and respiratory distress.

2. A 5-year-old child with a diagnosis of asthma is being evaluated for medication management. What is an important assessment for the nurse to perform?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Assessing the child's dietary intake is crucial for managing asthma symptoms as certain foods can trigger or worsen asthma attacks. Monitoring dietary intake helps ensure the child receives proper nutrition and avoids triggers. Assessing sleep patterns (Choice A) may be relevant but not as directly impactful on asthma management. Academic performance (Choice C) and behavior at home (Choice D) are important aspects of a child's overall health but are not as directly related to asthma management as dietary intake.

3. You are caring for a 6-year-old child with a possible fractured left arm and have reason to believe that the child was abused. How should you manage this situation?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In cases where child abuse is suspected, the priority is the safety and well-being of the child. Advising the parents that the child needs to be transported allows for the child to receive necessary medical care without immediate confrontation or escalating the situation. Calling the police to have the parents arrested without concrete evidence may not be appropriate and could further endanger the child. Informing the parents of suspicions may lead to interference or denial of necessary care. Transporting the child to the hospital is crucial, but involving and engaging with the parents in a non-confrontational manner is the initial step to ensure the child's safety and well-being.

4. The nurse is caring for an infant with suspected pyloric stenosis. Which clinical manifestation would indicate pyloric stenosis?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Visible peristalsis and weight loss are classic clinical manifestations of pyloric stenosis. The obstruction at the pyloric sphincter causes visible peristalsis as the stomach tries to push food through the narrowed opening, leading to the appearance of waves across the abdomen. Weight loss occurs due to poor feeding and frequent vomiting associated with pyloric stenosis. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Abdominal rigidity and pain on palpation, rounded abdomen and hypoactive bowel sounds, as well as distention of the lower abdomen and constipation are not typically seen in pyloric stenosis.

5. When assessing a 2-year-old child with abdominal pain and adequate perfusion, general guidelines include

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When assessing a 2-year-old child with abdominal pain and adequate perfusion, it is essential to examine the child in the parent's arms. This approach helps reduce anxiety, provide comfort, and establish trust with the child. Palpating the painful area of the abdomen first (Choice B) may cause discomfort and increase anxiety in the child. Placing the child supine and palpating the abdomen (Choice C) without considering the child's comfort and security may lead to resistance and inaccurate assessment. Separating the child from the parent (Choice D) can exacerbate the child's anxiety and hinder the examination process. Therefore, examining the child in the parent's arms is the most appropriate approach in this scenario.

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