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. A healthcare provider is assessing the pain level of a three-year-old toddler. Which of the following pain assessment scales should the healthcare provider use?

• A. FACES Pain rating scale
• B. Numeric pain rating scale
• C. CRIES pain assessment scale
• D. Non-communicating children's pain checklist

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The healthcare provider should use the FACES pain rating scale for pediatric clients who are 3 years old and older. This scale allows the toddler to point to the face that depicts the current level of pain, making it a suitable choice for non-verbal or young children who may have difficulty expressing their pain verbally.

3. A nurse is caring for a school-age child with primary nephrotic syndrome who is taking prednisone. After 1 week of treatment, which manifestation indicates to the nurse that the medication is effective?

• A. Decreased edema
• B. Increased abdominal girth
• C. Decreased appetite
• D. Increased protein in the urine

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a child with nephrotic syndrome, the presence of edema is due to fluid retention caused by protein loss in the urine. Prednisone, a corticosteroid, helps reduce inflammation and decrease the loss of protein in the urine, leading to a decrease in edema. Therefore, decreased edema is an indication that the prednisone treatment is effective in managing the nephrotic syndrome. Increased abdominal girth would indicate fluid retention and worsening of the condition. Decreased appetite is a nonspecific symptom and not a direct indicator of prednisone efficacy. Increased protein in the urine would indicate ongoing renal impairment and the ineffectiveness of the treatment.

4. 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.

5. When providing teaching to the family of a school-age child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which instruction should the nurse include?

• A. Limit the child's movement of the large joints.
• B. Encourage the child to perform independent self-care.
• C. Provide the child with a soft mattress for sleeping.
• D. Schedule a 2-hour daily nap for the child in the afternoon.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Encouraging the child to perform independent self-care is essential when managing juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This instruction helps minimize pain and stiffness in the child's joints while promoting mobility and independence. It is crucial for the child to learn self-management skills early to cope better with the condition in the long term.

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