Nursing Elites

1. After providing home care instructions to the mother of a child being discharged following cardiac surgery, which statement made by the mother indicates a need for further instructions?

• A. A balance of rest and exercise is important.
• B. I can apply lotion or powder to the incision if it is itchy.
• C. Activities in which falling could occur need to be avoided for two to four weeks.
• D. Large crowds of people need to be avoided for at least two weeks after the surgery.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The mother stating that she can apply lotion or powder to the incision if it is itchy indicates a need for further instructions. Applying lotion or powder to the incision is not recommended as it can increase the risk of infection. The other choices are correct: A) Balancing rest and exercise is important for recovery, C) avoiding activities where falling could occur is necessary to prevent injury, and D) avoiding large crowds helps reduce the risk of infections during the initial recovery period.

2. You are dispatched to a residence for a 5-year-old child who is not breathing. Upon arrival, you find the child supine on the floor, cyanotic, and unresponsive. You should first:

• A. begin chest compressions.
• B. open the airway and give two rescue breaths.
• C. apply an AED and analyze the rhythm.
• D. ask the parent for the child's medical history.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When encountering an unresponsive and not breathing child, the initial step is to open the airway and provide two rescue breaths. This action helps to deliver oxygen to the child's lungs and body, which is crucial in attempting to restore breathing and circulation. Chest compressions are not initiated first in pediatric cases unless the child has no signs of circulation after delivering rescue breaths. Applying an AED and analyzing the rhythm is not the initial step in a pediatric cardiac arrest scenario, as the primary focus should be on providing oxygenation. Asking the parent for the child's medical history is not the immediate priority when the child is unresponsive and not breathing, as interventions to support breathing and circulation should be the primary concern.

3. A 6-year-old male is hospitalized in stable condition with multiple fractures following a car accident. The child's parents tell the nurse that their 7-year-old daughter is very upset about the accident and is concerned that her brother will die. Which suggestion by the nurse is most appropriate?

• A. Encourage the parents to phone the sister frequently with updates on her brother's condition.
• B. Suggest that the sister come to the hospital for a visit.
• C. Suggest that one parent leave the hospital to spend extra time with their daughter at home.
• D. Remind the parents that it is normal for children to be upset when their sibling is hospitalized.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In situations where a sibling is upset about a family member being hospitalized, suggesting that the sister come to the hospital for a visit can help alleviate her concerns. This allows the sister to see her brother, ask questions, and receive reassurance from seeing him in stable condition. Direct contact and interaction can often provide more comfort and understanding than phone calls or staying at home. Encouraging phone calls (Choice A) might not provide the same level of comfort as a physical visit. While spending extra time with the daughter at home (Choice C) is important, in this scenario, facilitating a visit to the hospital can address the daughter's immediate concerns better. Reminding the parents that it is normal for children to be upset (Choice D) is not as proactive as arranging for the sister to visit her brother.

4. You are dispatched to a residence where an 8-year-old boy was pulled from a swimming pool. When you arrive, a neighbor is performing rescue breathing on the child. After confirming that the child is not breathing, you should:

• A. begin chest compressions and reassess in 2 minutes.
• B. assess for a carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds.
• C. tell the neighbor to continue rescue breathing as you apply the AED.
• D. ask the neighbor how long the child was submerged under the water.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In cases of drowning, it is crucial to assess for a carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds to determine if chest compressions are needed. This quick assessment helps determine the next steps in providing appropriate care to the patient. Performing chest compressions without confirming the need may not be beneficial and could potentially harm the patient if unnecessary.

5. When is it MOST appropriate to clamp and cut the umbilical cord?

• A. Before the newborn has taken its first breath
• B. After the placenta has completely delivered
• C. As soon as the cord has stopped pulsating
• D. Immediately following delivery of the newborn

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The ideal time to clamp and cut the umbilical cord is when it has stopped pulsating. This allows for the transfer of remaining blood from the placenta to the newborn, which can be beneficial for the baby's health and iron stores. Clamping the cord too early can deprive the newborn of this essential blood volume. Waiting for the pulsations to cease ensures that the baby receives the maximum benefits from delayed cord clamping.

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