how should a nurse manage a child with a new diagnosis of sickle cell anemia

HESI LPN

LPN Nutrition Practice Test

1. How should a caregiver manage a child with a new diagnosis of sickle cell anemia?

A. Ensure the child receives frequent blood transfusions
B. Promote adequate hydration and pain management
C. Restrict physical activity
D. Administer high doses of vitamin C

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Promoting adequate hydration and pain management is crucial for managing sickle cell anemia to prevent crises and complications. Adequate hydration helps prevent sickling of red blood cells, while effective pain management is essential for addressing the frequent pain episodes associated with the condition. Ensuring the child receives frequent blood transfusions is not the initial management for sickle cell anemia; transfusions are usually reserved for specific complications. Restricting physical activity should be individualized based on the child's condition; some physical activity is beneficial for overall health. Administering high doses of vitamin C is not a standard treatment for sickle cell anemia and does not address the underlying pathology of the disease.

2. What should be included in the medical management of a sickle cell crisis?

A. Information for parents on home care
B. Adequate hydration and pain management
C. Pain management and iron supplements
D. Adequate oxygenation and factor VIII

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Adequate hydration and pain management. During a sickle cell crisis, it is essential to provide hydration to prevent vaso-occlusive events and manage pain effectively with analgesics. Adequate hydration helps maintain blood flow and prevent further sickling of red blood cells. Pain management is crucial to alleviate the severe pain associated with sickle cell crises. Options A, C, and D are incorrect. Providing information for parents on home care (Option A) may be important for ongoing management but is not specific to an acute crisis. Iron supplements (Option C) are not typically indicated during a sickle cell crisis. Adequate oxygenation and factor VIII (Option D) are not primary interventions for managing a sickle cell crisis; instead, oxygen therapy may be considered in severe cases, and factor VIII is not a standard treatment for sickle cell disease.

3. How does a double-blind experiment work?

A. Both subject groups take turns receiving each treatment.
B. Neither subjects nor researchers know which subjects are in the control or experimental group.
C. Neither group of subjects knows whether they are in the control or experimental group, but the researchers do not know.
D. Both subject groups know whether they are in the control or experimental group, but the researchers do not know.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. In a double-blind experiment, neither the subjects nor the researchers know which subjects are in the control or experimental group. This helps to eliminate bias and ensure that the results are more objective. Choice A is incorrect as in a double-blind experiment, subjects do not take turns receiving each treatment; it is about masking the treatment allocation. Choice C is incorrect because it implies that the researchers are aware of the group allocation, which goes against the principle of blinding in a double-blind study. Choice D is incorrect as both subject groups should not know whether they are in the control or experimental group to maintain the blindness of the study.

4. What type of vaccine should a child with a history of severe allergic reactions receive?

A. Live attenuated vaccines
B. Inactivated vaccines
C. Subunit vaccines
D. Recombinant vaccines

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Children with a history of severe allergic reactions should receive inactivated vaccines because they do not contain live pathogens. Live attenuated vaccines (choice A) contain weakened live pathogens and can potentially trigger an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. Subunit vaccines (choice C) and recombinant vaccines (choice D) may contain components that could still trigger an allergic response in individuals with a history of severe allergies. Inactivated vaccines are the safest choice for individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions as they do not pose a risk of causing an allergic reaction due to the absence of live pathogens.

5. What is an essential part of care for a child with asthma during an acute episode?

A. Administer a bronchodilator
B. Provide high doses of steroids
C. Increase fluid intake
D. Restrict all physical activity

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering a bronchodilator is an essential part of caring for a child with asthma during an acute episode because it helps to open airways and relieve acute asthma symptoms effectively. Providing high doses of steroids (Choice B) is typically done in severe cases or when other treatments fail. Increasing fluid intake (Choice C) can be beneficial to prevent dehydration, but it is not the primary intervention during an acute asthma episode. Restricting all physical activity (Choice D) is not recommended as some physical activity may help improve lung function and overall well-being.