Nursing Elites

1. A 7-year-old child has an altered mental status, high fever, and a generalized rash. You perform your assessment and administer supplemental oxygen. En route to the hospital, you should be MOST alert for:

• A. hypotension.
• B. combativeness.
• C. convulsions.
• D. respiratory distress.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a 7-year-old child with altered mental status, high fever, and a generalized rash, the most critical concern is the potential for convulsions. These symptoms could indicate a serious underlying condition, such as a febrile seizure or another type of seizure activity. Monitoring for convulsions is crucial during transport to ensure prompt intervention if they occur, as seizures can lead to additional complications and require immediate management.

2. A 4-year-old boy with a tracheostomy tube is experiencing respiratory distress. He has intercostal retractions, a heart rate of 80 beats/min, and an oxygen saturation of 85%. During his attempts to breathe, a gurgling sound is heard in the tracheostomy tube. You should:

• A. Ventilate through the tracheostomy tube.
• B. Place an oxygen mask over the tracheostomy tube.
• C. Remove the tracheostomy tube and clean it.
• D. Carefully suction the tracheostomy tube.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this scenario, the 4-year-old boy with a tracheostomy tube is showing signs of respiratory distress, including intercostal retractions, a low heart rate, and decreased oxygen saturation. The gurgling sound indicates a possible airway obstruction. Correctly, the immediate action should be to carefully suction the tracheostomy tube. Suctioning can help clear any secretions or obstructions, thus improving the child's ability to breathe effectively. Ventilating through the tube, placing an oxygen mask over it, or removing and cleaning the tube would not address the potential obstruction and could worsen the respiratory distress.

3. What is the pattern of fever in enteric fever?

• A. Intermittent fever
• B. Relapsing fever
• C. Pel-Ebstein fever
• D. Continuous fever

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Enteric fever, caused by Salmonella typhi or paratyphi, is characterized by a continuous fever pattern. The fever typically persists without significant fluctuations, distinguishing it from diseases with intermittent or relapsing fever patterns. Pel-Ebstein fever, a cyclic pattern of fever seen in Hodgkin's lymphoma, is not associated with enteric fever. Relapsing fever is a characteristic of diseases like Borrelia recurrentis infection. Intermittent fever is seen in conditions like malaria.

4. You have arrived for your shift on the children's ward and need to assess a 2-year-old who is accompanied by his father. Identify the appropriate strategy to successfully complete a focused assessment:

• A. Allow the child to inspect the equipment for faults before and during assessment
• B. Ask parent to leave room until assessment has been completed
• C. Perform traumatic or invasive procedures first
• D. Have the child sit in parents lap and request assistance if necessary

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Having the child sit in parent's lap can help reduce anxiety and allow for a more accurate assessment.

5. A postpartum client is being discharged and asks the nurse when she should expect her menstrual period to return if she is not breastfeeding. The nurse's best response is:

• A. In about 6 to 8 weeks
• B. In about 3 to 4 months
• C. In about 6 months
• D. In about 1 year

Correct answer: A

Rationale: For non-breastfeeding mothers, the return of menstrual periods typically occurs around 6 to 8 weeks postpartum. This timeframe may vary among individuals, but generally, hormonal changes after childbirth lead to the resumption of menstrual cycles within this period.

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