Nursing Elites

1. A child with a diagnosis of leukemia is receiving chemotherapy. What is the most important nursing intervention?

• A. Monitor for signs of infection
• B. Monitor for signs of bleeding
• C. Monitor for signs of dehydration
• D. Monitor for signs of pain

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most important nursing intervention for a child with leukemia receiving chemotherapy is to monitor for signs of infection. Chemotherapy suppresses the immune system, putting the child at a higher risk of developing infections. Early detection and prompt treatment of infections are crucial to prevent complications and improve outcomes. Monitoring for signs of bleeding (choice B), dehydration (choice C), and pain (choice D) are also important aspects of care, but in this scenario, the priority is to prevent and manage infections due to the compromised immune system.

2. The nurse is caring for a boy with probable intussusception. He had diarrhea before admission, but while waiting for the administration of air pressure to reduce the intussusception, he passes a normal brown stool. Which nursing action is the most appropriate?

• A. notify the practitioner
• B. measure abdominal girth
• C. auscultate for bowel sounds
• D. take vital signs, including blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The passage of a normal brown stool in a child with intussusception could indicate spontaneous reduction of the intussusception. This change in the patient's condition is significant, requiring prompt notification of the practitioner for further evaluation and management. While measuring abdominal girth (Choice B) is important for assessing abdominal distention, it is not the priority when a potential spontaneous reduction may have occurred. Auscultating for bowel sounds (Choice C) and taking vital signs, including blood pressure (Choice D), are routine nursing assessments but do not address the immediate need to inform the practitioner of a possible change in the patient's condition that necessitates urgent attention.

3. How should you care for an alert 4-year-old child with a mild airway obstruction, who has respiratory distress, a strong cough, and normal skin color?

• A. Back blows, abdominal thrusts, transport
• B. Oxygen, avoiding agitation, transport
• C. Assisting ventilations, back blows, transport
• D. Chest thrusts, finger sweeps, transport

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct approach for an alert 4-year-old child with a mild airway obstruction, respiratory distress, a strong cough, and normal skin color is to provide oxygen, avoid agitation, and arrange for transport. Oxygen helps support breathing, avoiding agitation prevents worsening of the obstruction, and transport ensures the child receives further medical evaluation and treatment. Choices A, C, and D involve techniques that are not recommended for a mild airway obstruction in this scenario. Back blows, abdominal thrusts, chest thrusts, and finger sweeps are interventions used for different situations and not suitable for a child with the described symptoms.

4. A nurse is providing care to a child diagnosed with sickle cell anemia. What is the priority nursing intervention?

• A. Administering pain medication
• B. Ensuring adequate hydration
• C. Providing nutritional support
• D. Monitoring vital signs

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In sickle cell anemia, pain management is a priority due to vaso-occlusive crises that cause severe pain. Administering pain medication helps alleviate discomfort and improve the child's quality of life. Ensuring adequate hydration, although important, is secondary to addressing the immediate pain issue. Providing nutritional support is beneficial for overall health but does not address the acute pain experienced. Monitoring vital signs is essential but not the immediate priority when managing pain in sickle cell anemia.

5. When a family decides to withhold 'extraordinary care' for a newborn with severe abnormalities, what does this decision indicate?

• A. The newborn has no rights.
• B. It is the same as euthanasia.
• C. It is illegal professional practice.
• D. The newborn is being allowed to die.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When a family decides to withhold 'extraordinary care' for a newborn with severe abnormalities, it means that aggressive interventions will not be pursued, allowing the newborn to die naturally. This decision is legal and ethical, respecting the principle of non-maleficence by avoiding unnecessary suffering. Choice A is incorrect because all individuals, including newborns, have rights, but the decision to withhold extraordinary care is based on ethical considerations. Choice B is incorrect as withholding care is not the same as euthanasia, which involves actively ending life. Choice C is incorrect as long as the decision is made within legal and ethical boundaries, it is not considered illegal professional practice.

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