Nursing Elites

1. During a follow-up clinical visit, a mother tells the nurse that her 5-month-old son, who had surgical correction for tetralogy of Fallot, has rapid breathing, often takes a long time to eat, and requires frequent rest periods. The infant is not crying while being held, and his growth is in the expected range. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

• A. Stimulate the infant to cry to produce cyanosis
• B. Auscultate the heart and lungs while holding the infant
• C. Evaluate the infant for failure to thrive
• D. Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Auscultating the heart and lungs while the infant is held is the most appropriate intervention to assess his current condition. This action allows the nurse to gather important information regarding the cardiovascular and respiratory status of the infant, which is crucial in evaluating his post-surgical recovery and overall well-being. Option A is incorrect as stimulating the infant to cry intentionally is not necessary and could cause distress. Option C is incorrect as the infant's growth is within the expected range, indicating no signs of failure to thrive. Option D is incorrect as obtaining a 12-lead electrocardiogram is not the initial intervention needed in this situation; assessing the heart and lungs through auscultation is more immediate and informative.

2. What response should the practical nurse (PN) provide when a school-age child asks to talk with a dying sister?

• A. Talk loudly to ensure the dying person hears and recognizes others' voices.
• B. Touch can provide a tactile presence if the dying person does not respond to words.
• C. Sitting close offers the dying person the sensation of others' presence.
• D. Although the dying person may not respond, they can still hear what is said.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct response is D because it is believed that hearing is the last sense to go. Even if the dying person does not respond, speaking to them can still provide comfort. Choice A is incorrect because talking loudly is not necessary and can be distressing. Choice B is incorrect as it focuses on touch rather than the sense of hearing. Choice C is incorrect because sitting close may not necessarily help the dying person hear better.

3. A 4-month-old girl is brought to the clinic by her mother because she has had a cold for 2 to 3 days and woke up this morning with a hacking cough and difficulty breathing. Which additional assessment finding should alert the nurse that the child is in acute respiratory distress?

• A. Bilateral bronchial breath sounds.
• B. Diaphragmatic respiration.
• C. A resting respiratory rate of 35 breaths per minute.
• D. Flaring of the nares.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Flaring of the nares is a clinical sign of acute respiratory distress in infants. It indicates an increased effort to breathe and is a crucial finding that requires immediate attention, as it signifies the child is having difficulty breathing and may be in respiratory distress. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Bilateral bronchial breath sounds may be present in conditions like pneumonia but do not specifically indicate acute respiratory distress. Diaphragmatic respiration is a normal breathing pattern and not a sign of distress. A resting respiratory rate of 35 breaths per minute in a 4-month-old infant is within the expected range, so it does not necessarily indicate acute respiratory distress.

4. A child diagnosed with Kawasaki disease is brought to the clinic. The mother reports that her child is irritable, refuses to eat, and has skin peeling on both hands and feet. Which intervention should the nurse instruct the mother to implement first?

• A. Place the child in a quiet environment
• B. Make a list of foods that the child likes
• C. Encourage the parents to rest when possible
• D. Apply lotion to hands and feet

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Creating a quiet environment is the priority intervention as it helps reduce irritability and stress in children with Kawasaki disease. This intervention can promote a soothing atmosphere for the child, which may help in managing their symptoms effectively. Irritability and refusal to eat can be exacerbated by a noisy or stimulating environment. Making a list of foods the child likes is important, but addressing the immediate need for a calm environment takes precedence. Encouraging parents to rest is a good practice but not the immediate intervention needed for the child's symptoms. Applying lotion to hands and feet, although helpful for skin peeling, is not the first priority when dealing with irritability and refusal to eat.

5. The infant scheduled for reduction of intussusception passes a soft-formed brown stool the day before the scheduled procedure. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

• A. Instruct the parents that the infant needs to be NPO.
• B. Notify the healthcare provider of the passage of brown stool.
• C. Obtain a stool specimen for laboratory analysis.
• D. Ask the parents about recent changes in the infant's diet.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Notifying the healthcare provider is crucial in this situation because the passage of a brown stool may indicate the resolution of intussusception. It is important to keep the healthcare provider informed about any changes in the infant's condition to ensure appropriate care and management. Instructing the parents that the infant needs to be NPO (nothing by mouth) is not necessary based on the passage of brown stool. Obtaining a stool specimen for laboratory analysis is not indicated in this scenario since the brown stool is likely a positive sign. Asking about recent changes in the infant's diet is not the priority at this moment as notifying the healthcare provider takes precedence.

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