Nursing Elites

1. Justine is admitted to the pediatric unit due to the occurrence of diabetic ketoacidosis signaling a new diagnosis of diabetes. The diabetes team explores the cause of the episode and takes steps to prevent a recurrence. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) results from an excessive accumulation of which of the following?

• A. Sodium bicarbonate from renal compensation
• B. Potassium from cell death
• C. Glucose from carbohydrate metabolism
• D. Ketone bodies from fat metabolism

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) results from the excessive accumulation of ketone bodies from fat metabolism. During DKA, there is a lack of insulin leading to the breakdown of fat stores into fatty acids and their subsequent conversion into ketone bodies. These ketone bodies accumulate in the blood, leading to metabolic acidosis and the characteristic symptoms of DKA.

2. Serwaa, a 26-year-old mother, has brought her daughter to the OPD with signs of lower respiratory tract infection. Which of the following diagnoses is NOT typically associated with lower respiratory tract infections for her daughter?

• A. Pneumonia
• B. Asthma
• C. Bronchiolitis
• D. Coryza

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Coryza, also known as the common cold, is a viral infection that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract and is not typically associated with lower respiratory tract infections. Pneumonia, asthma, and bronchiolitis are conditions that commonly affect the lower respiratory tract, causing symptoms like cough, difficulty breathing, and chest pain.

3. A breastfeeding mother reports to the nurse that her newborn nurses every hour and never seems satisfied. Which advice should the nurse provide?

• A. Supplement breastfeeding with formula after each nursing session.
• B. Allow the newborn to nurse on each breast for at least 20 minutes.
• C. Reduce the number of nursing sessions to every 2-3 hours.
• D. Ensure the newborn has a proper latch and is effectively nursing.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The nurse should ensure that the newborn has a proper latch and is effectively nursing. Sometimes, newborns nurse frequently for comfort even when they are effectively latched. It is essential to address the latch first before considering other interventions. Supplementing with formula (Choice A) may decrease the mother's milk supply. Allowing the newborn to nurse for a set time (Choice B) may not address the underlying latch issue. Reducing nursing sessions (Choice C) may lead to decreased milk production and does not address the latch problem.

4. What action should you take if a newborn's heart rate is 50 beats/min?

• A. Begin chest compressions.
• B. Reassess in 30 seconds.
• C. Administer blow-by oxygen.
• D. Start positive-pressure ventilations.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: If a newborn's heart rate is below 60 beats per minute, the appropriate action is to start positive-pressure ventilations. Ventilations help deliver oxygen to the newborn's body and support respiratory function, which is critical in cases of bradycardia. Chest compressions are not recommended until the heart rate is below 60 despite adequate ventilation. Reassessment is essential but not the immediate action required in this scenario. Administering blow-by oxygen alone may not effectively address the underlying cause of bradycardia, making positive-pressure ventilations the priority intervention in this case.

5. When a father asks why his child with tetralogy of Fallot seems to favor a squatting position, the nurse would explain that squatting:

• A. Increases peripheral vascular resistance
• B. Decreases arterial blood flow away from the heart
• C. It's a common resting position when a child is tachycardic
• D. Increases the workload of the heart

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Squatting increases systemic vascular resistance, which leads to a reduction in the right-to-left shunting of blood in children with tetralogy of Fallot. This helps improve oxygenation by balancing the pulmonary and systemic blood flow. The squatting position decreases the pressure in the right ventricle and reduces the magnitude of the right-to-left shunt by increasing afterload, thereby improving oxygenation. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because squatting does not decrease arterial blood flow away from the heart, is not related to being tachycardic, and does not increase the workload of the heart.

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