Nursing Elites

1. A parent brings a 2-month-old infant with Down syndrome to the pediatric clinic for a physical and administration of immunizations. Which clinical finding should alert the nurse to perform a further assessment?

• A. Flat occiput
• B. Small, low-set ears
• C. Circumoral cyanosis
• D. Protruding furrowed tongue

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Circumoral cyanosis should alert the nurse to perform further assessment in a 2-month-old infant with Down syndrome. This finding may indicate cardiac or respiratory issues, such as inadequate oxygenation. Small, low-set ears and a protruding furrowed tongue are common physical characteristics associated with Down syndrome and may not necessarily warrant immediate further assessment. A flat occiput is a normal variation in infant anatomy and is not typically a cause for immediate concern in this context.

2. A nurse is evaluating a 3-year-old child’s developmental progress. The inability to perform which task indicates to the nurse that there is a developmental delay?

• A. Copying a square
• B. Hopping on one foot
• C. Catching a ball reliably
• D. Using a spoon effectively

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Copying a square. At 3 years old, children should be able to copy a square as part of their fine motor skill development. The inability to perform this task may indicate a developmental delay in fine motor skills. Choice B, hopping on one foot, typically develops around 4-5 years of age, so it is not a reliable indicator of a delay at 3. Choice C, catching a ball reliably, involves coordination skills that develop later in childhood, making it less relevant for a 3-year-old assessment. Choice D, using a spoon effectively, is more related to self-care and feeding skills rather than fine motor development, so it is not the best indicator of a developmental delay in this context.

3. A child with sickle cell anemia develops severe chest pain, fever, a cough, and dyspnea. The nurse's first action is to

• A. administer 100% oxygen to relieve hypoxia
• B. administer pain medication to relieve symptoms
• C. notify the practitioner because chest syndrome is suspected
• D. notify the practitioner because the child may be having a stroke

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a child with sickle cell anemia experiencing severe chest pain, fever, cough, and dyspnea, the priority action is to suspect acute chest syndrome, a life-threatening complication. The nurse's first action should be to notify the practitioner for immediate evaluation and intervention. Administering 100% oxygen (Choice A) may be necessary later but is not the initial priority. Administering pain medication (Choice B) should not precede notifying the practitioner, as addressing the underlying cause is crucial. The symptoms described are more indicative of acute chest syndrome than a stroke, so notifying the practitioner for chest syndrome (Choice C) takes precedence over suspecting a stroke (Choice D).

4. A 1-week-old infant has been in the pediatric unit for 18 hours following placement of a spica cast. The nurse observes a respiratory rate of fewer than 24 breaths/min. No other changes are noted. Because the infant is apparently well, the nurse does not report or document the slow respiratory rate. Several hours later, the infant experiences severe respiratory distress, and emergency care is necessary. What should be considered if legal action is taken?

• A. Most infants have slow respirations when they are uncomfortable.
• B. The respiratory rates of young infants are irregular, so a drop in rate is unimportant.
• C. Vital signs that are outside the expected parameters are significant and should be documented.
• D. The respiratory tract of young infants is underdeveloped, and their respiratory rate is not significant.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse failed to report or document the slow respiratory rate of the infant, which later led to severe respiratory distress. It is crucial to understand that any vital signs outside the expected range in an infant should be documented and reported promptly. This documentation is vital for monitoring the infant's condition, identifying potential issues, and ensuring timely intervention if needed. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they downplay the significance of abnormal vital signs and fail to emphasize the importance of documentation and reporting in infant care.

5. The nurse is assessing a 13-year-old boy with type 2 diabetes mellitus. What symptom would the nurse correlate with the disorder?

• A. The parents report that their child had a recent 'cold or flu.'
• B. Blood pressure is decreased during vital signs assessment.
• C. The parents report that their son 'can’t drink enough water.'
• D. Auscultation reveals Kussmaul breathing.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, excessive thirst (polydipsia) is a common symptom due to high blood glucose levels. This results in the patient feeling unable to drink enough water to satisfy their thirst. The other options are incorrect because a recent 'cold or flu' (choice A) is not directly related to diabetes mellitus, decreased blood pressure (choice B) is not a typical finding in uncontrolled diabetes, and Kussmaul breathing (choice D) is associated with diabetic ketoacidosis, which is more common in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Similar Questions