Nursing Elites

1. At a well-visit, a mother voices concern that her 30-month-old has a smaller vocabulary than other children in his daycare. The nurse should:

• A. Admit the child to the hospital
• B. Assess the child for other age-appropriate development
• C. Suggest that the child is hearing impaired
• D. Explain that the child has a significant developmental delay

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a parent expresses concern about a child's development, it is essential to conduct a comprehensive assessment of all areas of development before jumping to conclusions. Choosing option B allows the nurse to evaluate the child for other age-appropriate developmental milestones to determine if there are any delays or concerns. Admitting the child to the hospital (option A) is not necessary at this point and may cause unnecessary stress. Suggesting hearing impairment (option C) without proper evaluation can lead to misdiagnosis. Explaining a significant developmental delay (option D) should only be done after a thorough assessment and diagnosis.

2. A toddler’s mother calls the nurse because she thinks her son has swallowed a button type of battery. He has no signs of respiratory distress. The nurse’s response should be based on which premise?

• A. An emergency laparotomy is very likely.
• B. The location needs to be confirmed by radiographic examination.
• C. Surgery will be necessary if the battery has not passed in the stool in 48 hours.
• D. Careful observation is essential because an ingested battery cannot be accurately detected.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Radiographic examination is essential to confirm the location of the battery, as it can cause significant damage, particularly if lodged in the esophagus. Immediate surgery may be required depending on its location and the potential for causing harm.

3. When should a child receive the first dose of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine if the mother is hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative?

• A. 2 months of age, before hospital discharge.
• B. Birth before discharge from the hospital.
• C. 6 months of age, at the third well-child visit.
• D. No time (this vaccine is not currently recommended).

Correct answer: B

Rationale: If the mother is HBsAg negative, it is recommended that the child receives the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth before discharge from the hospital. This is to provide early protection against the hepatitis B virus. The second dose of the vaccine is typically given at the first well-child visit, and the third dose is usually administered at a later date. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Committee on Infectious Diseases of the American Academy of Pediatrics govern the recommendations for immunization, including the hepatitis B virus vaccine. Choice A is incorrect as the first dose should ideally be given at birth. Choice C is incorrect as waiting until 6 months of age may leave the child vulnerable to infection during the early months of life. Choice D is incorrect as the hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all newborns, especially if the mother is HBsAg negative, to prevent transmission of the virus.

4. What should the nurse include in the discharge instructions for the parents of an infant diagnosed with acute otitis media?

• A. Keep the baby in an elevated position during sleep
• B. Administer an antibiotic
• C. Place the baby to sleep with a bottle
• D. Administer acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve discomfort

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is recommended to help relieve the discomfort associated with acute otitis media, such as pain and fever. Elevating the baby's head during sleep can also help with drainage and relieve pressure, making choice A incorrect. Administering an antibiotic may be necessary for bacterial otitis media but is not usually the first-line treatment for acute otitis media, so choice B is incorrect. Placing the baby to sleep with a bottle can increase the risk of ear infections due to the pooling of milk around the Eustachian tube, so choice C is incorrect.

5. What is a physical characteristic of infants whose mothers smoked during pregnancy?

• A. Being large for gestational age
• B. Growth restriction in weight only
• C. Preterm but size appropriate for gestational age
• D. Growth restriction in weight, length, and chest and head circumference

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Growth restriction in weight, length, and chest and head circumference. Infants born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy exhibit growth failure in weight, length, chest, and head circumference. This growth failure is directly related to the number of cigarettes smoked by the mother. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because infants exposed to maternal smoking do not tend to be large for gestational age, experience growth restriction in weight only, or be preterm but size appropriate for gestational age.

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