Nursing Elites

1. An intravenous line is needed in a school-age child. What medication is an appropriate analgesic for use with this patient?

• A. TAC (tetracaine, epinephrine [Adrenalin], cocaine) 15 minutes before the procedure.
• B. A transdermal fentanyl (Duragesic) patch at the site of venipuncture.
• C. EMLA (eutectic mixture of local anesthetics) immediately before the procedure.
• D. LMX (4% liposomal lidocaine cream) 30 minutes before the procedure.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: LMX is an effective analgesic agent when applied to the skin 30 minutes before a procedure. It eliminates or reduces the pain from most procedures involving skin puncture. TAC provides skin anesthesia about 15 minutes after application to nonintact skin, making it more suitable for wound suturing. Transdermal fentanyl patches are designed for continuous pain control, not rapid pain control needed for a procedure like venipuncture. EMLA, for maximum effectiveness, must be applied approximately 60 minutes before the procedure, making it less suitable for immediate pain relief required for intravenous line placement.

2. A school-age child with cancer is being prepared for a procedure. The child says, “I have had one of these before. They hurt.” The nurse bases her response on what knowledge related to pain in this patient?

• A. Often misrepresent experiencing pain
• B. Tolerate pain better than adults
• C. Become accustomed to painful procedures
• D. Commonly experience treatment-related moderate to severe pain when they have cancer

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Pain is frequently reported by children with cancer, with around 84% experiencing it. Most children report moderate to severe pain, with about half finding it highly distressing. There is no evidence to suggest that children often misrepresent their pain experiences. Pain tolerance is not solely based on age but is a complex phenomenon. Children do not become accustomed to painful procedures, as each experience of pain is unique.

3. What component should be included in the nutritional management of a child with Crohn's disease?

• A. High fiber
• B. Increased protein
• C. Reduced calories
• D. Herbal supplements

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Increased protein. Children with Crohn's disease require a diet high in protein to support growth and tissue repair. High fiber should be avoided as it can exacerbate symptoms of Crohn's disease. Reducing calories can lead to malnutrition, which is detrimental in this condition. Herbal supplements should be used cautiously and only under medical advice as they may interact with medications or worsen symptoms.

4. What is the earliest age at which a satisfactory radial pulse can be taken in children?

• A. 1 year
• B. 2 years
• C. 3 years
• D. 6 years

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A satisfactory radial pulse can typically be taken starting at around 3 years of age, as younger children often have pulses that are too fast and irregular for accurate measurement.

5. A 12-year-old child had an appendectomy 18 hours ago. The nurse is monitoring the child for pain control. Which of the following tools is most appropriate for assessing the child’s pain?

• A. FLACC scale
• B. Numeric scale
• C. NIPS scale
• D. FACES scale

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The Numeric scale is the most appropriate tool for assessing pain in older children, like a 12-year-old, as they can comprehend and use numbers to indicate their pain levels accurately. The FLACC scale is typically used for nonverbal or preverbal children. The NIPS scale is designed for neonates and infants. The FACES scale is more commonly used in younger children who may have difficulty expressing their pain in other ways.

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