Nursing Elites

1. A child with acute gastrointestinal bleeding is admitted to the hospital. The nurse observes which sign or symptom as an early manifestation of shock?

• A. Restlessness
• B. Rapid capillary refill
• C. Increased temperature
• D. Increased blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Restlessness is an early sign of shock due to decreased perfusion and oxygenation to the brain. This symptom requires immediate attention to prevent the progression to more severe stages of shock. Rapid capillary refill (Choice B) is not typically an early sign of shock but rather a sign of adequate perfusion. Increased temperature (Choice C) may occur in later stages of shock due to the body's response to stress. Increased blood pressure (Choice D) is not an early sign of shock; in fact, blood pressure tends to decrease in shock as a compensatory mechanism.

2. The physician tells the parents of a 2-year-old that the child probably has RSV. The parents ask how the diagnosis will be confirmed. How should the nurse respond?

• A. We will swab your child's nose and send the secretions for testing.
• B. There is no specific test for RSV. The diagnosis is based on symptoms.
• C. We will send a viral culture to an outside lab for testing.
• D. There is no specific test for RSV. The diagnosis is based on symptoms.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. RSV is typically diagnosed by swabbing the nose and testing the secretions. This method helps confirm the presence of the respiratory syncytial virus. Choice B is incorrect because while symptoms are important in diagnosis, specific tests like swabbing for RSV do exist. Choice C is incorrect as sending a viral culture to an outside lab is not the primary method for diagnosing RSV. Choice D is a duplicate of choice B and is incorrect for the same reasons.

3. What is the most appropriate action for a healthcare provider if a child presents with suspected meningitis?

• A. Administer antibiotics immediately
• B. Perform a lumbar puncture
• C. Isolate the child
• D. Obtain a complete blood count

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Isolating the child is a priority to prevent the spread of infection until meningitis is confirmed or ruled out. Meningitis, particularly bacterial, is highly contagious and can lead to outbreaks if not properly managed. Isolation and prompt treatment are critical in preventing serious complications. Administering antibiotics immediately without confirmation of the diagnosis can be harmful if the cause is viral or non-infectious. Performing a lumbar puncture is a diagnostic procedure that should be done by a healthcare provider but is not the initial action when suspecting meningitis. Obtaining a complete blood count may be part of the diagnostic workup but is not the most appropriate initial action in suspected meningitis.

4. A school-age child with cancer is being prepared for a procedure. The child says, “I have had one of these before. They hurt.” The nurse bases her response on what knowledge related to pain in this patient?

• A. Often misrepresent experiencing pain
• B. Tolerate pain better than adults
• C. Become accustomed to painful procedures
• D. Commonly experience treatment-related moderate to severe pain when they have cancer

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Pain is frequently reported by children with cancer, with around 84% experiencing it. Most children report moderate to severe pain, with about half finding it highly distressing. There is no evidence to suggest that children often misrepresent their pain experiences. Pain tolerance is not solely based on age but is a complex phenomenon. Children do not become accustomed to painful procedures, as each experience of pain is unique.

5. An intravenous line is needed in a school-age child. What medication is an appropriate analgesic for use with this patient?

• A. TAC (tetracaine, epinephrine [Adrenalin], cocaine) 15 minutes before the procedure.
• B. A transdermal fentanyl (Duragesic) patch at the site of venipuncture.
• C. EMLA (eutectic mixture of local anesthetics) immediately before the procedure.
• D. LMX (4% liposomal lidocaine cream) 30 minutes before the procedure.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: LMX is an effective analgesic agent when applied to the skin 30 minutes before a procedure. It eliminates or reduces the pain from most procedures involving skin puncture. TAC provides skin anesthesia about 15 minutes after application to nonintact skin, making it more suitable for wound suturing. Transdermal fentanyl patches are designed for continuous pain control, not rapid pain control needed for a procedure like venipuncture. EMLA, for maximum effectiveness, must be applied approximately 60 minutes before the procedure, making it less suitable for immediate pain relief required for intravenous line placement.

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