an infant is diagnosed with hirschsprung disease what nursing intervention is essential before surgery
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Nursing Elites

HESI LPN

Pediatric HESI 2024

1. An infant is diagnosed with Hirschsprung disease. What nursing intervention is essential before surgery?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Maintaining NPO (nothing by mouth) status is essential before surgery for a patient with Hirschsprung disease to prevent aspiration. Administering antibiotics, ensuring bowel rest, and performing regular enemas are not the priority interventions before surgery for this condition. Administering antibiotics may be necessary in the postoperative period to prevent infection, ensuring bowel rest can be beneficial but is not the priority, and performing regular enemas is not typically recommended before surgery for Hirschsprung disease.

2. When administering IV fluids to a dehydrated infant, what intervention is most important at this time?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Monitoring the intravenous drop rate is the most crucial intervention when administering IV fluids to a dehydrated infant. This ensures that the correct amount of fluids is being delivered to the infant at the appropriate rate. While continuing the prescribed flow rate (Choice A) may be important, it does not allow for real-time adjustments that may be necessary during the infusion. Calculating the total necessary intake (Choice C) should have been determined before initiating IV therapy. Maintaining the fluid at body temperature (Choice D) is important for patient comfort but is not as critical as ensuring the proper administration of fluids.

3. The parents of a 2-year-old child tell the nurse that they are having difficulty disciplining their child. What is the nurse’s most appropriate response?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The most appropriate response for the nurse is to emphasize the importance of consistency in discipline when dealing with toddlers. Toddlers are at an age where they are learning boundaries and acceptable behaviors. By being consistent, parents can help their child understand what is expected of them and establish a sense of structure and routine. Choices A, B, and D do not provide constructive advice or guidance on how to address the issue of disciplining a 2-year-old. Choice A merely acknowledges the age without providing guidance, choice B seeks more information without offering support, and choice D labels the age without offering practical advice on discipline.

4. The parents of a 6-month-old infant are concerned about the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). What should the nurse recommend to reduce the risk?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct recommendation to reduce the risk of SIDS in infants is to place them on their back to sleep. This sleeping position helps prevent the occurrence of SIDS by maintaining an open airway and reducing the risk of suffocation. Using a pacifier during sleep has also shown some protective effect against SIDS, but it is not as effective as placing the infant on their back. Having the infant sleep on their side is not recommended as it can increase the risk of accidental suffocation. Keeping the infant's room cool does not directly reduce the risk of SIDS.

5. A parent and 4-year-old child who recently emigrated from Colombia arrive at the pediatric clinic. The child has a temperature of 102°F, is irritable, and has a runny nose. Inspection reveals a rash and several small, red, irregularly shaped spots with blue-white centers in the mouth. What illness does the nurse suspect the child has?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The nurse should suspect measles based on the symptoms described, including the presence of Koplik spots (small, red spots with blue-white centers in the mouth). Measles typically presents with fever, irritability, runny nose, and a rash that begins on the face and spreads downward. Chickenpox (choice B) presents with vesicular lesions in different stages of healing and usually starts on the trunk. Fifth disease (choice C) presents with a 'slapped cheek' rash on the face and can cause joint pain. Scarlet fever (choice D) is characterized by a sandpaper-like rash, fever, and strawberry tongue.

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