Nursing Elites

1. An infant who had cardiac surgery for a congenital defect is to be discharged. What should the nurse emphasize to the parents regarding administering the prescribed antibiotic?

• A. Give the antibiotic between feedings.
• B. Ensure that the antibiotic is administered as prescribed.
• C. Shake the bottle thoroughly before administering the antibiotic.
• D. Keep the antibiotic in the refrigerator after opening the bottle.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Ensure that the antibiotic is administered as prescribed.' It's crucial to stress the importance of following the prescribed antibiotic regimen to prevent infections and promote proper healing after cardiac surgery. Choice A is incorrect because it does not address the fundamental aspect of adherence to the prescription. Choice C is incorrect as shaking the bottle may not be necessary for all antibiotics and is not a critical instruction in this context. Choice D is incorrect as storage instructions are not directly related to the administration of the antibiotic as prescribed, which is the primary concern in this scenario.

2. A 1-year-old child has a congenital cardiac malformation that causes right-to-left shunting of blood through the heart. What clinical finding should the nurse expect?

• A. Proteinuria
• B. Peripheral edema
• C. Elevated hematocrit
• D. Absence of pedal pulses

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a child with a congenital cardiac malformation causing right-to-left shunting of blood, the nurse should expect an elevated hematocrit. This occurs because the body compensates for decreased oxygenation by producing more red blood cells. Proteinuria (Choice A) is not a typical clinical finding related to right-to-left shunting. Peripheral edema (Choice B) is more commonly associated with conditions causing volume overload, such as left-sided heart failure. Absence of pedal pulses (Choice D) is not directly related to right-to-left shunting but may be seen in conditions affecting peripheral circulation.

3. What should be the priority action when caring for a child with acute laryngotracheobronchitis?

• A. Initiate measures to reduce fever.
• B. Ensure delivery of humidified oxygen.
• C. Provide support to reduce apprehension.
• D. Continually assess the respiratory status.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The priority action when caring for a child with acute laryngotracheobronchitis is to continually assess the respiratory status (Option D). Acute laryngotracheobronchitis can potentially lead to respiratory distress, making continuous monitoring crucial to identify early signs of deterioration and intervene promptly. While options A, B, and C are also important aspects of care, they do not take precedence over respiratory assessment in this critical situation. Initiating measures to reduce fever (Option A), ensuring oxygen delivery (Option B), and providing emotional support (Option C) are all significant interventions, but without ongoing assessment of respiratory status, there is a risk of missing potential respiratory deterioration.

4. During an assessment, a nurse is examining the skin of a child with cellulitis. What would the nurse expect to find?

• A. Red, raised hair follicles
• B. Warmth at skin disruption site
• C. Papules progressing to vesicles
• D. Honey-colored exudate

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Warmth at skin disruption site.' Cellulitis is characterized by localized warmth at the site of skin disruption, which indicates an infection. Choice A, 'Red, raised hair follicles,' is more typical of folliculitis. Choice C, 'Papules progressing to vesicles,' is suggestive of conditions like herpes simplex virus infections. Choice D, 'Honey-colored exudate,' is associated with impetigo, not cellulitis. When assessing cellulitis, nurses should primarily look for warmth, erythema, edema, and tenderness at the affected site.

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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