Nursing Elites

1. An 8-year-old child diagnosed with meningitis is to undergo a lumbar puncture. What should the nurse explain is the purpose of this procedure?

• A. To measure the pressure of cerebrospinal fluid
• B. To obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid for analysis
• C. To relieve intracranial pressure
• D. To assess the presence of infection in the spinal fluid

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A lumbar puncture is performed to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid for analysis. This fluid is then examined for signs of infection, bleeding, or other abnormalities. Measuring the pressure of cerebrospinal fluid is typically done during the procedure itself, but it is not the primary purpose of the lumbar puncture. While a lumbar puncture can indirectly help relieve intracranial pressure by removing excess cerebrospinal fluid, this is not its primary purpose. Assessing the presence of infection in the spinal fluid is part of the analysis that follows the collection of the sample, making it a secondary outcome of the procedure.

2. What should the nurse advise the parents of a child with asthma on preventing asthma attacks?

• A. Avoid exposure to allergens
• B. Encourage regular exercise
• C. Provide a high-protein diet
• D. Increase fluid intake

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to advise the parents to avoid exposure to allergens. Asthma attacks are commonly triggered by allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold. By minimizing the child's contact with these triggers, the likelihood of asthma attacks can be reduced. Encouraging regular exercise can be beneficial for overall health but may not directly prevent asthma attacks. Providing a high-protein diet and increasing fluid intake are important for general health but are not specific preventive measures for asthma attacks.

3. A nurse is teaching the parents of a child with a diagnosis of epilepsy about seizure precautions. What should the nurse include in the teaching?

• A. Keep a diary of seizure activity
• B. Administer antiepileptic medication only when a seizure occurs
• C. Restrict the child's activities to prevent seizures
• D. Teach seizure first aid to family members

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Teaching seizure first aid to family members is crucial for ensuring the child's safety during a seizure. Keeping a diary of seizure activity (choice A) is important for tracking patterns and triggers but does not directly relate to immediate safety during a seizure. Administering antiepileptic medication only when a seizure occurs (choice B) is incorrect as medications should be given as prescribed to maintain therapeutic levels. Restricting the child's activities to prevent seizures (choice C) is not an appropriate approach as it may limit the child's quality of life without guaranteeing seizure prevention.

4. While teaching a parent how to prevent accidents while caring for a 6-month-old infant, what motor development ability should be emphasized?

• A. Sits up
• B. Rolls over
• C. Crawls short distances
• D. Stands while holding on to furniture

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Rolls over. At 6 months, most infants can roll over, increasing the risk of falls. It is important to emphasize to the parent the need for careful supervision to prevent accidents. While choices A, C, and D are also milestones in infant motor development, rolling over at this age poses a higher risk of accidents due to the increased mobility and potential for falls.

5. A parent arrives in the emergency clinic with a 3-month-old baby who says, “My baby stopped breathing for a while.” The infant continues to have difficulty breathing, with prolonged periods of apnea. Which assessment data should alert the nurse to suspect shaken baby syndrome (SBS)?

• A. Birth occurred before 32 weeks’ gestation
• B. Lack of stridor and adventitious breath sounds
• C. Previous episodes of apnea lasting 10 to 15 seconds
• D. Retractions and use of accessory respiratory muscles

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Retractions and the use of accessory respiratory muscles can be signs of respiratory distress, which may indicate trauma such as shaken baby syndrome (SBS). Shaken baby syndrome can result in brain injury and respiratory compromise, leading to breathing difficulties. Choices A, B, and C are less likely to be associated with SBS. Birth before 32 weeks’ gestation is more related to prematurity rather than SBS. The lack of stridor and adventitious breath sounds, as well as previous episodes of apnea lasting 10 to 15 seconds, are not specific indicators of SBS.

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