Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is providing dietary teaching to the parent of a school-age child with cystic fibrosis. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

• A. You should offer your child high-protein meals and snacks throughout the day
• B. Your child should decrease dietary fats to less than 10% of their caloric intake
• C. Your child will need to take a 1-gram sodium chloride tablet daily throughout their lifetime
• D. You should calculate your child's carbohydrate needs based on their daily activities

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The parent should provide a well-balanced diet that is high in protein and calories for a child with cystic fibrosis. This diet helps meet the child's increased energy requirements. Offering high-protein meals and snacks throughout the day is essential to ensure adequate nutrition and energy intake for children with cystic fibrosis. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because children with cystic fibrosis actually need a higher fat intake for proper absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, sodium chloride supplementation is not a general recommendation for all children with cystic fibrosis, and carbohydrate needs are usually based on maintaining adequate weight and growth rather than daily activities.

2. A child has Wilms' tumor and is scheduled for surgery. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

• A. Palpate the child's abdomen daily for tumor size.
• B. Reposition the child frequently.
• C. Prepare the child for chemotherapy.
• D. Avoid palpating the abdomen.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Palpating the abdomen of a child with Wilms' tumor should be avoided to prevent the risk of rupturing the tumor and spreading cancer cells. This action is crucial to maintain the child's safety and prevent potential complications before surgery.

3. A patient in the emergency department reports taking sildenafil (Viagra) and nitroglycerin 1 hr before sexual activity. Which finding should the nurse immediately report to the physician?

• A. WBC of 3200 cells/mm³
• B. RR of 26 breaths/min
• C. Temp of 38°C
• D. BP of 70/50

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: BP of 70/50. When sildenafil (Viagra) is taken with nitroglycerin, it can cause severe hypotension that is unresponsive to treatment. The combination of these medications can lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure. It is crucial to immediately report hypotension in this scenario as it poses a significant risk to the patient's life. It is recommended to allow at least 24 hours to elapse between the last dose of sildenafil and nitroglycerin to prevent such adverse effects. The other vital signs and lab values may be abnormal but do not have the immediate life-threatening implications that severe hypotension does in this context.

4. 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.

5. A teacher states to the school nurse, 'I have a student who will often just stare at me for 15 seconds after asking a question; then the student blinks and asks me to repeat the question. Should I be concerned?' Which should the nurse include in the response to the teacher?

• A. The child has a crush on the teacher.
• B. The child has increased intracranial pressure.
• C. The child may have had a head injury.
• D. The child is experiencing absence seizures.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Staring spells that end abruptly and are followed by normal activity are indicative of absence seizures. In absence seizures, a child may exhibit staring spells, brief loss of awareness, and lack of responsiveness, which can last for a few seconds. Choice A is incorrect because the behavior described is not associated with having a crush. Choice B is incorrect as increased intracranial pressure usually presents with other symptoms. Choice C is less likely as a head injury would typically manifest with additional signs beyond just staring and blinking.

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