Nursing Elites

1. A parent receives a note from the school that a student in class has head lice. The parent calls the school nurse to ask how to check for head lice. What instructions should the nurse provide?

• A. Ask the child where it itches.
• B. Check to see if your dog has ear mites.
• C. Look along the scalp line for white dots.
• D. Observe between the fingers for red lines.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to look along the scalp line for white dots (nits) when checking for head lice. White dots are indicative of head lice infestation. Itching alone, as mentioned in choice A, is not a reliable indicator of head lice. Choice B is irrelevant as it refers to checking for ear mites in a dog, not head lice in a human. Observing between the fingers for red lines, as in choice D, is not a method to check for head lice.

2. A child with diabetes insipidus is being treated with vasopressin. The nurse would assess the child closely for signs and symptoms of which condition?

• A. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)
• B. Thyroid storm
• C. Cushing syndrome
• D. Vitamin D toxicity

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Vasopressin is a medication used to treat diabetes insipidus by increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys. However, an excessive dose of vasopressin can lead to water retention, causing SIADH, which is characterized by dilutional hyponatremia. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Thyroid storm is a severe form of hyperthyroidism characterized by increased metabolism and can lead to life-threatening complications. Cushing syndrome results from excess cortisol production and is characterized by weight gain, hypertension, and other features. Vitamin D toxicity occurs due to an overdose of vitamin D, leading to hypercalcemia and symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and weakness.

3. After undergoing surgery using steel bar placement to correct pectus excavatum, what position should the nurse instruct the parents to avoid for the child?

• A. Semi-Fowler position.
• B. Supine position.
• C. High Fowler position.
• D. Side-lying position.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: After undergoing surgery for pectus excavatum correction with steel bar placement, the nurse should instruct the parents to avoid placing the child in a side-lying position. This position should be avoided to prevent displacement of the steel bar, which could compromise the surgical outcome. Semi-Fowler, supine, and high Fowler positions do not pose the same risk of displacing the steel bar and are generally safe and comfortable for the child in this postoperative period.

4. The nurse is teaching a group of parents about the side effects of immunization vaccines. Which sign should the nurse include when discussing an infant receiving the Haemophilus influenzae (Hib) vaccine?

• A. Lethargy
• B. Urticaria
• C. Generalized rash
• D. Low-grade fever

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'D. Low-grade fever.' A low-grade fever is a common and mild side effect of the Hib vaccine, indicating that the immune system is responding to the immunization. Lethargy (choice A) can be a sign of more serious adverse effects and should be monitored closely but is not typically associated with the Hib vaccine. Urticaria (choice B) and generalized rash (choice C) are less common side effects of the Hib vaccine compared to low-grade fever.

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.

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