Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. An infant, age 5 months, is brought to the clinic by his parents for a well-baby checkup. What is the best advice that the nurse should include at this time about injury prevention?

• A. Keep buttons, beads, and other small objects out of his reach.
• B. Do not permit him to chew paint from window ledges because he might absorb too much lead.
• C. When he learns to roll over, you must supervise him whenever he is on a surface from which he might fall.
• D. Lock the crib sides securely because he may stand and lean against them and fall out of bed.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Small objects are a choking hazard for infants, so it is crucial to keep them out of reach to prevent injury.

3. A four-year-old boy is admitted to the hospital with leg pain and fever. He is pale-looking and has bruises over various areas of his body. The physician suspects acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Which test would be used to confirm the diagnosis?

• A. Bone marrow aspirate
• B. Red blood cell count
• C. Lumbar puncture
• D. Bone scan

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A bone marrow aspirate is the definitive test to confirm acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in this case. It allows for the examination of leukemic cells in the bone marrow, providing a direct assessment of the disease. Red blood cell count (Choice B) is not specific for diagnosing leukemia but may show anemia commonly seen in leukemia patients. Lumbar puncture (Choice C) is used to assess central nervous system involvement, not primarily for confirming ALL. Bone scan (Choice D) is not a standard diagnostic test for ALL and is mainly used for evaluating bone metastases in other conditions.

4. An effective means of establishing rapport with the hospitalized pre-schooler is through:

• A. Lengthy discussion
• B. Explanation with drawings and models
• C. Play
• D. Silence

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Play is an effective way to communicate and build rapport with young children, especially pre-schoolers. It helps them feel comfortable, express themselves, and establish a connection with the caregiver. Lengthy discussions may not be suitable for their age and attention span, while explanation with drawings and models can enhance communication but may not engage them as effectively as play. Silence, on the other hand, may create a sense of unease or lack of interaction for pre-schoolers.

5. The nurse is administering the first hepatitis A vaccine to an 18-month-old child. When should the child return to the clinic for the second dose of hepatitis A vaccination?

• A. After 2 months
• B. After 3 months
• C. After 4 months
• D. After 6 months

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The second dose of the hepatitis A vaccine is recommended 6 months after the first dose to ensure full immunity.

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