Nursing Elites

1. A group of students is reviewing information about the endocrine system in infants and children. The students demonstrate understanding of the information when they state:

• A. Endocrine glands begin developing during gestation.
• B. Endocrine glands are fully functional at birth.
• C. Infants may have difficulty regulating glucose and electrolytes.
• D. A child’s endocrine system plays a significant role in growth and development.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Infants may have difficulty regulating glucose and electrolytes due to their immature endocrine systems. This can lead to issues such as hypoglycemia and electrolyte imbalances. Choice A is incorrect because endocrine glands actually begin developing early in gestation, not just in the third trimester. Choice B is incorrect as endocrine glands are not fully functional at birth; they continue to mature and develop after birth. Choice D is incorrect as a child's endocrine system has a significant impact on growth and development through the secretion of hormones that regulate various processes in the body, but it does not specifically address the difficulty in regulating glucose and electrolytes seen in infants.

2. A 7-year-old child has an altered mental status, high fever, and a generalized rash. You perform your assessment and initiate oxygen therapy. En route to the hospital, you should be most alert for

• A. vomiting
• B. seizures
• C. combativeness
• D. respiratory distress

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Seizures are a common complication in children with high fever and altered mental status, indicating a risk of febrile seizures. While vomiting can occur with altered mental status, seizures are of higher concern due to the association with febrile illnesses in children. Combativeness may be a concern in some altered mental status cases but is not as common as seizures. Respiratory distress, although important, is not the primary concern in this scenario given the symptoms presented.

3. When counseling a couple who suspect they could have a child with a genetic abnormality, what would be most important for the nurse to incorporate into the plan of care when working with this family?

• A. Gathering information from at least three generations
• B. Informing the family of the need for a wide range of information
• C. Maintaining the confidentiality of the information
• D. Presenting the information in a nondirective manner

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When counseling a couple about the possibility of having a child with a genetic abnormality, it is vital for the nurse to present information in a nondirective manner. This approach empowers the couple to make decisions based on their values and preferences, respecting their autonomy. Gathering information from three generations (Choice A) may not be necessary and might overwhelm the couple with unnecessary data. Informing the family about the need for a wide range of information (Choice B) is not as critical as supporting their decision-making process through a nondirective approach. While maintaining confidentiality (Choice C) is crucial, it is not the most important aspect compared to ensuring the couple can make informed choices that align with their beliefs and wishes.

4. When teaching a class about trisomy 21, the instructor would identify the cause of this disorder as:

• A. nondisjunction.
• B. X-linked recessive inheritance.
• C. genomic imprinting.
• D. autosomal dominant inheritance.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: nondisjunction. Trisomy 21, also known as Down syndrome, is caused by nondisjunction, which is an error in cell division leading to an extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. X-linked recessive inheritance refers to genetic disorders carried on the X chromosome, genomic imprinting involves gene expression based on parental origin, and autosomal dominant inheritance relates to disorders caused by a dominant gene on one of the non-sex chromosomes. In the case of trisomy 21, the cause is specifically related to the error in chromosome division, making nondisjunction the most appropriate answer.

5. The nurse is developing a plan of care for a 7-year-old boy with diabetes insipidus. What is the priority nursing diagnosis?

• A. Deficient fluid volume related to dehydration
• B. Excess fluid volume related to edema
• C. Deficient knowledge related to fluid intake regimen
• D. Imbalanced nutrition related to excess weight

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The priority nursing diagnosis for a 7-year-old boy with diabetes insipidus is deficient fluid volume related to dehydration. Diabetes insipidus causes excessive thirst and urination, leading to fluid imbalance and potential dehydration. Choice B, excess fluid volume related to edema, is not a priority as diabetes insipidus is characterized by fluid loss, not retention. Choice C, deficient knowledge related to fluid intake regimen, may be important but is not the priority when the child is at risk of dehydration. Choice D, imbalanced nutrition related to excess weight, is not directly associated with the primary concern of fluid volume imbalance in diabetes insipidus.

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