Nursing Elites

1. A child diagnosed with a soft tissue tumor is being treated with chemotherapy. Prior to administering the chemotherapy, which laboratory test should the nurse monitor to determine if the child has any capability of fighting infections?

• A. Hemoglobin
• B. Red blood cell count
• C. Platelets
• D. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is crucial for determining the child's ability to fight infections. Neutrophils play a key role in combating bacterial infections. Monitoring the ANC is essential before administering chemotherapy, as a low ANC indicates an increased risk of infection. Hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and platelets are important for assessing oxygen-carrying capacity, anemia, and clotting function, respectively, but they do not directly reflect the child's capability to fight infections.

2. A new mom is ready to introduce solid foods to her infant. Which food would you recommend starting with?

• A. Meat
• B. Rice cereal
• C. Fruits
• D. Vegetables

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Rice cereal. Rice cereal is typically the first solid food introduced to infants because it is easy to digest and unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. Starting with rice cereal helps assess the baby's readiness for solid foods and reduces the risk of allergic responses. Choice A (Meat) is not recommended as the initial solid food due to its higher allergenic potential. Choices C (Fruits) and D (Vegetables) are also not usually recommended as the first solid food, as they may be more challenging for infants to digest compared to rice cereal.

3. A school-age child is admitted to the pediatric unit with a vaso-occlusive crisis. Which of these should be included in the nursing plan of care?

• A. Correction of alkalosis
• B. Pain management and administration of heparin
• C. Adequate oxygenation and replacement of factor VIII to correct the sickling
• D. Adequate hydration, oxygenation, and pain management

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell anemia require a comprehensive approach that includes adequate hydration to reduce blood viscosity, oxygenation to prevent further sickling of red blood cells, and aggressive pain management. This approach helps improve tissue perfusion and manage pain effectively. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Correction of alkalosis is not a priority in vaso-occlusive crisis management. Administration of heparin is not indicated as it can increase the risk of bleeding in sickle cell patients. Factor VIII replacement is not relevant to sickle cell anemia as it is a treatment for hemophilia, not sickle cell disease.

4. The nurse determines that a child's intravenous infusion has infiltrated. The infused solution is a vesicant. What is the most appropriate nursing action?

• A. Stop the infusion and apply ice.
• B. End the infusion and notify the practitioner.
• C. Slow the infusion rate and notify the practitioner.
• D. Discontinue the infusion and apply warm compresses.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: If a vesicant solution infiltrates, stopping the infusion immediately and notifying the practitioner is critical to prevent tissue damage. Cold or warm compresses should only be applied following specific medical advice based on the vesicant involved.

5. Which characteristic best describes the fine motor skills of an infant at age 5 months?

• A. Neat pincer grasp
• B. Strong grasp reflex
• C. Builds a tower of two cubes
• D. Able to grasp object voluntarily

Correct answer: D

Rationale: By 5 months, infants develop the ability to grasp objects voluntarily, showing improved motor control. The neat pincer grasp and building towers are skills that develop later.

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