Nursing Elites

1. A 6-year-old child with sickle cell anemia presents to the emergency department with severe pain in the legs and abdomen. The child is crying and states that the pain is unbearable. What is the nurse’s priority action?

• A. Apply warm compresses to the painful areas
• B. Administer prescribed pain medication
• C. Encourage the child to drink fluids
• D. Monitor the child’s oxygen saturation

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In a sickle cell crisis, pain management is a priority to alleviate the child's suffering. Administering the prescribed pain medication is crucial to address the severe pain experienced by the child. Warm compresses, encouraging fluid intake, and monitoring oxygen saturation are important interventions but should follow the priority of pain management in this situation.

2. In a 12-year-old child with a history of epilepsy brought to the emergency department after experiencing a 10-minute seizure, what is the nurse’s priority intervention?

• A. Administer oxygen
• B. Administer antiepileptic medication as prescribed
• C. Monitor the child’s vital signs
• D. Check the child’s blood glucose level

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Administering antiepileptic medication as prescribed is the priority intervention in a child with a history of epilepsy who experienced a prolonged seizure. This action is crucial to stop the seizure and prevent further complications associated with prolonged seizure activity. Administering oxygen may be necessary, but the priority is to stop the seizure. Monitoring vital signs and checking blood glucose levels are important but secondary to administering antiepileptic medication to manage the seizure.

3. A 10-year-old girl who has had type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) for the past two years tells the nurse that she would like to use a pump instead of insulin injections to manage her diabetes. Which assessment of the girl is most important for the nurse to obtain?

• A. Understanding of the quality control process used to troubleshoot the pump
• B. Interpretation of fingerstick glucose levels that influence diet selections
• C. Knowledge of her glycosylated hemoglobin A1c levels for the past year
• D. Ability to perform the pump for basal insulin with mealtime boluses

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a patient transitioning to an insulin pump, understanding the quality control process to troubleshoot the pump is crucial for ensuring proper and safe management of diabetes. This knowledge enables the individual to identify and address any issues that may arise with the pump, helping maintain optimal glycemic control and prevent complications. Choices B, C, and D, although important in diabetes management, are not as critical as ensuring the correct understanding of troubleshooting the pump, which directly impacts the girl's ability to effectively use the pump for insulin delivery.

4. A 16-year-old female student with a history of asthma controlled with both an oral antihistamine and an albuterol (Proventil) metered-dose inhaler (MDI) comes to the school nurse. The student complains that she cannot sleep at night, feels shaky, and her heart feels like it is 'beating a mile a minute.' Which information is most important for the nurse to obtain?

• A. When she last took the antihistamine.
• B. When her last asthma attack occurred.
• C. Duration of most asthma attacks.
• D. How often the MDI is used daily.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The most important information for the nurse to obtain is how often the MDI is used daily. This is crucial to assess if the symptoms of insomnia, shakiness, and rapid heart rate are related to overuse of the inhaler, leading to potential side effects such as systemic effects of beta-2 agonists.

5. A 12-year-old child with type 1 diabetes is under the nurse's care. The child’s parent asks how to prevent hypoglycemia during physical activity. What is the nurse’s best response?

• A. Give your child extra insulin before exercise
• B. Make sure your child eats a snack before exercise
• C. Limit your child’s physical activity to avoid hypoglycemia
• D. Monitor your child’s blood glucose levels after exercise

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most effective way to prevent hypoglycemia during physical activity in a child with type 1 diabetes is to ensure they eat a snack before exercising. Eating a snack before exercise helps maintain blood glucose levels by providing additional glucose for energy during physical activity, reducing the risk of hypoglycemia. Giving extra insulin before exercise (Choice A) can increase the risk of hypoglycemia as it lowers blood glucose levels further. Limiting physical activity (Choice C) is not recommended as exercise is important for overall health. Monitoring blood glucose levels after exercise (Choice D) is essential but does not directly prevent hypoglycemia during physical activity.

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