Nursing Elites

1. A 7-year-old child with leukemia is receiving chemotherapy. The mother asks the practical nurse (PN) how to manage the child's nausea at home. What advice should the PN provide?

• A. Provide small, frequent meals.
• B. Encourage the child to eat spicy foods.
• C. Offer large meals less frequently.
• D. Allow the child to eat whatever they want.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: During chemotherapy, children may experience nausea. Providing small, frequent meals can help manage nausea as they are easier to tolerate, reducing the likelihood of vomiting. It is important to offer bland, non-spicy foods to avoid exacerbating nausea. Encouraging large meals less frequently or allowing the child to eat whatever they want may overwhelm the digestive system and worsen nausea. Therefore, the correct advice is to provide small, frequent meals to help the child manage nausea effectively.

2. In a 6-year-old child with asthma experiencing difficulty breathing and using accessory muscles to breathe with a peak flow reading in the red zone, what should the nurse do first?

• A. Administer a nebulized bronchodilator
• B. Obtain an arterial blood gas
• C. Start the child on oxygen therapy
• D. Contact the healthcare provider

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action for a 6-year-old child with asthma who is experiencing difficulty breathing, using accessory muscles to breathe, and has a peak flow reading in the red zone is to administer a nebulized bronchodilator first. Nebulized bronchodilators work rapidly to open up the airways, providing immediate relief and improving breathing. This intervention is crucial in addressing the acute respiratory distress the child is facing. Obtaining an arterial blood gas, starting oxygen therapy, or contacting the healthcare provider can be considered after the initial administration of the bronchodilator, as they are not the primary interventions needed to manage the child's acute respiratory distress.

3. The mother of a 14-year old who had a below-the-knee amputation for osteosarcoma tells the nurse that her child is angry and blaming her for allowing the amputation to occur. Which response is best for the nurse to provide?

• A. I will ask the HCP for a psychiatric consult for your child'
• B. This type of acting out behavior is normal for adolescents'
• C. It is important to focus on your child’s needs at this difficult time'
• D. A reaction of anger is your child’s attempt to cope with this loss'

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Acknowledging the child's anger as part of the coping process helps the mother understand her child's emotional response.

4. A 10-year-old child is brought to the emergency department after falling from a bicycle and hitting their head. The nurse notes that the child is drowsy and has a headache. What is the nurse’s priority action?

• A. Perform a full neurological assessment
• B. Administer pain medication
• C. Allow the child to rest quietly
• D. Check the child's immunization status

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a child who has fallen and hit their head, presenting with drowsiness and headache, the priority action for the nurse is to perform a full neurological assessment. This is crucial to evaluate the extent of the head injury and monitor for signs of increased intracranial pressure, which could indicate a more severe traumatic brain injury. Administering pain medication or allowing the child to rest quietly are not appropriate initial actions without first assessing the neurological status. Checking the child's immunization status is important for overall health but is not the priority in this acute situation.

5. When developing a behavior modification program for an extremely aggressive 10-year-old boy, what should the nurse do first?

• A. Determine what activities, foods, and toys the child enjoys
• B. Evaluate the child’s previous reactions to punishment
• C. Provide the child with positive feedback
• D. Encourage other children on the unit to describe the token system

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The first step in developing a behavior modification program for an aggressive child is to determine what activities, foods, and toys the child enjoys. Understanding the child's preferences allows the nurse to personalize the program, making it more engaging and effective. This approach increases the chances of success in modifying the aggressive behavior. Evaluating previous reactions to punishment (Choice B) may be important but comes later in the process. Providing positive feedback (Choice C) is beneficial but should come after tailoring the program. Encouraging other children to describe the token system (Choice D) is not the initial step; the focus should be on individualizing the program for the specific child first.

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