Nursing Elites

1. Following an apparent febrile seizure, a 4-year-old boy is alert and crying. His skin is hot and moist. Appropriate treatment for this child includes:

• A. allowing the parents to transport the child.
• B. offering oxygen and providing transport.
• C. rapidly cooling the child in cold water.
• D. keeping the child warm and providing transport.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: After a febrile seizure, the priority is to offer oxygen and provide transport to a medical facility. Oxygen may be necessary to ensure proper oxygenation, and medical evaluation is crucial to determine the cause of the seizure and prevent recurrence. Rapidly cooling the child in cold water is not recommended as it may lead to complications such as hypothermia. Keeping the child warm is also not indicated as the skin is already hot and moist. Therefore, offering oxygen and timely transportation to a healthcare facility is the most appropriate course of action. Allowing the parents to transport the child might delay necessary medical care, and keeping the child warm can exacerbate the existing heat. Rapidly cooling the child in cold water can lead to adverse effects, making it an inappropriate choice.

2. Why is a prolapsed umbilical cord dangerous?

• A. The cord may be wrapped around the baby's neck, causing strangulation.
• B. The cord might pull the placenta from the uterine wall during delivery.
• C. The baby's head may compress the cord, cutting off its supply of oxygen.
• D. The mother may die of hypoxia due to compromised placental blood flow.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A prolapsed umbilical cord is dangerous because the baby's head may compress the cord, cutting off its supply of oxygen. This compression can lead to oxygen deprivation, potentially causing significant harm to the baby. Immediate medical intervention is crucial in such cases to prevent adverse outcomes.

3. A 4-year-old boy with a tracheostomy tube is experiencing respiratory distress. He has intercostal retractions, a heart rate of 80 beats/min, and an oxygen saturation of 85%. During his attempts to breathe, a gurgling sound is heard in the tracheostomy tube. You should:

• A. Ventilate through the tracheostomy tube.
• B. Place an oxygen mask over the tracheostomy tube.
• C. Remove the tracheostomy tube and clean it.
• D. Carefully suction the tracheostomy tube.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this scenario, the 4-year-old boy with a tracheostomy tube is showing signs of respiratory distress, including intercostal retractions, a low heart rate, and decreased oxygen saturation. The gurgling sound indicates a possible airway obstruction. Correctly, the immediate action should be to carefully suction the tracheostomy tube. Suctioning can help clear any secretions or obstructions, thus improving the child's ability to breathe effectively. Ventilating through the tube, placing an oxygen mask over it, or removing and cleaning the tube would not address the potential obstruction and could worsen the respiratory distress.

4. Your assessment of a 5-year-old child reveals that he is unresponsive with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min and a heart rate of 50 beats/min. Treatment for this child should include:

• A. high-flow oxygen via non-rebreathing mask and rapid transport.
• B. assisted ventilation with a bag-mask device and rapid transport.
• C. positive-pressure ventilation, chest compressions, and rapid transport.
• D. back slaps and chest thrusts while attempting artificial ventilations.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a 5-year-old child who is unresponsive with severe bradycardia and bradypnea, the priority is to provide positive-pressure ventilation to support breathing and perform chest compressions to support circulation. This child is in cardiac arrest, and the recommended treatment according to pediatric basic life support guidelines involves a combination of positive-pressure ventilation and chest compressions to maintain oxygenation and circulation. Rapid transport to a medical facility for further advanced care is crucial in this critical situation. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because high-flow oxygen via non-rebreathing mask, assisted ventilation with a bag-mask device, and back slaps with chest thrusts are not sufficient in a cardiac arrest situation where the child requires immediate positive-pressure ventilation and chest compressions to maintain oxygenation and circulation.

5. The nurse is planning the care of a hospitalized 4-year-old. The most appropriate technique the nurse can use to reduce the stress of hospitalization for this child is to:

• A. Encourage the child to discuss their feelings.
• B. Encourage peer visitation.
• C. Encourage the child to play with safe medical equipment.
• D. Read a story to the child.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Encouraging the child to play with safe medical equipment is the most appropriate technique to reduce stress for a hospitalized child. This technique helps familiarize the child with medical equipment in a non-threatening way, empowering them to feel more in control of the environment. Options A, B, and D may be helpful but do not directly address the child's exposure and interaction with the hospital environment, making them less effective in reducing stress in this context.

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