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 four-year-old child has a history of repeated otitis media despite antibiotic treatment. Which treatment measure should the nurse discuss with the parents?

• A. Antibiotic treatment
• B. Adenoidectomy
• C. The insertion of tympanostomy (pressure equalizing) tubes
• D. Tonsillectomy

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: The insertion of tympanostomy (pressure equalizing) tubes. This treatment measure is appropriate for a child with recurrent otitis media as it helps drain fluid from the middle ear and prevent further infections. Adenoidectomy (choice B) involves the removal of the adenoids, which may not directly address the ear infections. Antibiotic treatment (choice A) has already been ineffective in this case, so alternative measures are necessary. Tonsillectomy (choice D) is not typically indicated for otitis media unless there are specific reasons such as enlarged tonsils contributing to the condition.

3. Which is a complication that can occur after abdominal surgery if pain is not managed?

• A. Atelectasis
• B. Hypoglycemia
• C. Decrease in heart rate
• D. Increase in cardiac output

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Poorly managed pain after abdominal surgery can lead to complications like atelectasis due to shallow breathing, which may occur if the child avoids deep breaths because of pain.

4. Melena, the passage of black, tarry stools, suggests bleeding from which source?

• A. The perianal or rectal area
• B. The upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract
• C. The lower GI tract
• D. Hemorrhoids or anal fissures

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Melena indicates bleeding from the upper GI tract. The black, tarry appearance of the stool results from the partial digestion of blood as it passes through the intestines, typically originating from sources like the stomach or duodenum. Lower GI bleeding usually presents as bright red blood in the stool, originating from sources like the colon or rectum. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because melena specifically points to upper GI bleeding rather than issues in the perianal/rectal area, lower GI tract, or hemorrhoids/anal fissures.

5. 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.

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