Nursing Elites

1. During an assessment, a healthcare professional is evaluating an infant with pneumonia. Which of the following findings should be the priority for the healthcare professional to report to the provider?

• A. Nasal flaring
• B. WBC count of 11,300
• C. Diarrhea
• D. Abdominal distension

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When assessing an infant with pneumonia, the priority finding to report to the provider is nasal flaring. Nasal flaring indicates acute respiratory distress, which can be a life-threatening condition requiring immediate intervention. Monitoring and addressing respiratory distress take precedence over other symptoms or laboratory results in this situation.

2. The healthcare provider is caring for a 9-month-old infant who just returned from the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) after a shunt placement for hydrocephalus. Which healthcare provider prescription should the nurse question?

• A. Vital signs and neurologic checks hourly
• B. Small, frequent formula feedings
• C. Elevate the head of the bed
• D. Daily head circumference measurements

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed in a child with hydrocephalus can potentially increase intracranial pressure. This can be counterproductive and may lead to complications after shunt placement surgery. Keeping the head of the bed flat or slightly elevated is often recommended to optimize cerebral perfusion and reduce the risk of increased intracranial pressure.

3. A child with a history of seizures arrives in the emergency department (ED) in status epilepticus. Which is the priority nursing action?

• A. Take vital signs.
• B. Establish an intravenous line.
• C. Perform rapid neurologic assessment.
• D. Maintain a patent airway.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When a child with a history of seizures presents in status epilepticus, the priority nursing action is to maintain a patent airway. This is crucial to ensure proper oxygenation and ventilation. While taking vital signs, establishing an intravenous line, and performing rapid neurologic assessment are important, maintaining a patent airway takes precedence. Hypoxia can lead to serious complications, making airway management the top priority to ensure the child's safety and prevent further deterioration.

4. When planning care for a newborn with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula, which is the priority nursing diagnosis?

• A. Ineffective Tissue Perfusion
• B. Ineffective Infant Feeding Pattern
• C. Acute Pain
• D. Risk for Aspiration

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The priority nursing diagnosis for a newborn with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula is 'Risk for Aspiration' because of the potential respiratory complications associated with these conditions. The newborn is at a higher risk of aspirating oral or gastric contents due to the abnormal connections between the esophagus and trachea, posing a serious threat to the airway and lungs. Addressing this risk is crucial to prevent respiratory distress and maintain the airway's patency, making it the priority nursing diagnosis in this scenario. 'Ineffective Tissue Perfusion' is not the priority as respiratory compromise takes precedence over perfusion concerns. 'Ineffective Infant Feeding Pattern' may be relevant but addressing the risk of aspiration is more critical. 'Acute Pain' is not the priority compared to the life-threatening risk of aspiration.

5. A caregiver is teaching a parent of a child with a new prescription for ferrous sulfate tablets. Which of the following instructions should the caregiver include in the teaching?

• A. Give the medication with milk.
• B. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
• C. Avoid giving the medication with orange juice.
• D. Brush the child's teeth after administration.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: It is important for the caregiver to instruct the parent to brush the child's teeth after administering ferrous sulfate to prevent staining of the teeth. Iron in ferrous sulfate can cause teeth discoloration, so brushing the child's teeth after taking the medication helps prevent this side effect.

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