Nursing Elites

1. Prior to hydrotherapy treatment for wound debridement following a burn injury, which of the following actions should be taken?

• A. Apply topical antimicrobial ointment to the child's wound
• B. Place a mesh gauze dressing over the child's wound
• C. Administer an analgesic to the child
• D. Initiate prophylactic antibiotic therapy for the child

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Prior to hydrotherapy for wound debridement, it is crucial to administer an analgesic to the preschooler. The procedure is known to be extremely painful, and providing analgesia or sedation is essential to manage the discomfort and pain experienced by the child during the treatment. Choice A is incorrect because applying topical antimicrobial ointment is not a pre-procedural requirement but rather a post-procedure wound care step. Choice B is incorrect as placing a mesh gauze dressing does not address the pain management aspect. Choice D is also incorrect as prophylactic antibiotic therapy is not the primary intervention needed before hydrotherapy for wound debridement.

2. The caregiver is teaching a parent of a young child with a newly diagnosed seizure disorder. The child is prescribed valproic acid (Depakote) for control of seizures. Which parental statement indicates the need for further education?

• A. I will not use carbonated beverages to dilute his medication.
• B. I will give his medication with food to minimize gastrointestinal upset.
• C. I will not let him chew his tablet.
• D. I will bring him to the physician's office for regular blood work to check his blood levels.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Valproic acid should be administered with food to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal upset. Giving it on an empty stomach may increase the likelihood of adverse effects. The other statements are correct: A - Carbonated beverages should not be used to dilute the medication, C - The tablet should not be chewed, and D - Regular blood work is necessary to monitor valproic acid levels and potential side effects.

3. A healthcare provider is preparing to administer ibuprofen 5 mg per kg every 6 hours PRN for temperatures above 38.0 degrees Celsius or 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit to an infant who weighs 17.6 lb. The infant has a temperature of 38.4 degrees Celsius or 101.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Available is ibuprofen liquid 100 mg/5 ml. How many milliliters should the healthcare provider administer to the infant?

• A. 12 ml
• B. 6 ml
• C. 2 ml
• D. 1 ml

Correct answer: C

Rationale: To calculate the correct dosage, first convert the infant's weight to kilograms: 17.6 lb = 8 kg. The prescribed dose is 5 mg/kg, so for an 8 kg infant, the total dose required is 40 mg. Since the available ibuprofen liquid is 100 mg/5 ml, to find out how many milliliters to administer, divide the total dose (40 mg) by the concentration of the liquid (100 mg/5 ml), which equals 2 ml. Therefore, the healthcare provider should administer 2 ml of ibuprofen to the infant.

4. What is the most appropriate nursing consideration for a patient who is prescribed verapamil and digoxin?

• A. Restrict intake of oral fluids and high-fiber foods
• B. Take an apical pulse for 30 seconds before administration
• C. Notify the healthcare provider of nausea, vomiting, and visual changes
• D. Hold the medications if the heart rate is greater than 110 bpm

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a patient is prescribed verapamil and digoxin, it is crucial to monitor for signs of digoxin toxicity due to the potential interaction between these medications. Verapamil can elevate digoxin blood serum levels, increasing the risk of toxicity. Symptoms of digoxin toxicity include nausea, vomiting, and visual changes. Therefore, the most appropriate nursing consideration is to notify the healthcare provider of these symptoms. Restricting intake of oral fluids and high-fiber foods is not a specific consideration related to this medication combination. Before administering digoxin, it is essential to take an apical pulse for a full minute, not just 30 seconds, to ensure accuracy. Additionally, holding the medications if the heart rate exceeds 110 bpm is not a typical response to the combination of verapamil and digoxin, which can cause bradycardia rather than tachycardia.

5. When teaching a parent of a toddler with a new prescription for liquid ferrous sulfate, which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Mix the medication with milk.
• B. Give the medication with orange juice.
• C. Give the medication with meals.
• D. Administer the medication with an antacid.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to give the medication with orange juice. Orange juice helps increase the absorption of iron from ferrous sulfate. This acidic environment aids in the absorption of iron, making it a suitable choice for administration. Mixing the medication with milk or an antacid may decrease iron absorption, and giving it with meals may not optimize its absorption as effectively as with orange juice.

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