Nursing Elites

1. A school-age child is 2 hours postoperative following a tonsillectomy. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

• A. Place a heating pad at the surgical site.
• B. Encourage the child to cough every 2 hours.
• C. Administer analgesics to the child on a regular schedule.
• D. Apply an ice collar to the child's neck.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: After a tonsillectomy, applying an ice collar to the child's neck helps decrease pain and swelling. Heat should be avoided as it can increase bleeding. Encouraging coughing may increase the risk of bleeding. Administering analgesics on a regular schedule is essential for pain management, but the immediate postoperative period may require additional interventions like ice collar application.

2. During a developmental screening, a 4-year-old child is asked to perform a task. Which of the following tasks should the nurse expect the child to perform?

• A. Draw a stick figure with seven body parts
• B. Draw a circle
• C. Identify right from left hand
• D. Tie their shoelaces

Correct answer: B

Rationale: At 4 years old, children are typically able to draw a circle, which is a developmental milestone for their age. Drawing a stick figure with specific body parts might be beyond their developmental level, identifying right from left hand can be challenging, and tying shoelaces requires more advanced motor skills.

3. Which statement best reflects a top-down approach to the evaluation process?

• A. OT focuses on evaluating the child's poor performance in hand skills
• B. OT conducts an assessment to determine a motor age for fine motor and gross motor skills
• C. OT initiates by interviewing the family about routines, interests, and daily habits
• D. OT starts by assessing muscle tone, postural control, and range of motion

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A top-down evaluation approach in occupational therapy begins with understanding the child's daily life, family routines, interests, and habits to ensure that the therapy provided is relevant and meaningful within the child's natural environment. By initiating the evaluation process with family interviews to gather contextual information, the occupational therapist gains a comprehensive view of the child's life, which allows for a more holistic and client-centered approach. Choice A focuses solely on the child's poor performance in hand skills, which is more characteristic of a bottom-up approach. Choice B mentions determining a motor age, which is not necessarily aligned with a top-down assessment. Choice D emphasizes physical assessments like muscle tone and range of motion, which are important but do not capture the essence of a top-down approach that considers the child's environment and routines.

4. A 9-month-old infant who is not sitting independently has been diagnosed with ataxic cerebral palsy (CP). Which clinical manifestations would the nurse expect to see in the baby?

• A. Hypotonia and muscle instability
• B. Hypertonia and persistence of primitive reflexes
• C. Tremors and exaggerated posturing
• D. Hemiplegia and hypertonia

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In ataxic cerebral palsy, the characteristic features include hypotonia (low muscle tone) and muscle instability. These manifestations contribute to the infant's difficulty in achieving independent sitting. Hypertonia (increased muscle tone) and persistence of primitive reflexes, as mentioned in option B, are more commonly associated with other types of cerebral palsy like spastic CP. Tremors and exaggerated posturing (option C) are not typical features of ataxic CP. Hemiplegia (paralysis of one side of the body) and hypertonia (increased muscle tone) mentioned in option D are more commonly seen in other types of cerebral palsy, such as spastic CP.

5. Difficulties with eating, sleeping, playing, repetitive or difficult behaviors, and paying attention may all be caused in part by which of the following?

• A. Cognitive delays
• B. Lack of motivation for mastery
• C. Sensory processing challenges
• D. Imitation deficits

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Sensory processing challenges can affect various aspects of a child's daily life, including eating, sleeping, playing, behavior, and attention. These challenges can lead to difficulties in processing sensory information, which may manifest in different behaviors and impact their overall functioning.

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