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. The nurse is conducting discharge teaching with the parent of a 7-year-old child with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). What statement by the parent indicates a correct understanding of the teaching?

• A. My child needs to stay home from school for at least 1 more month.
• B. I should not add additional salt to any of my child's meals.
• C. My child will not be able to participate in contact sports while receiving corticosteroid therapy.
• D. I should measure my child's urine after each void and report the 24-hour amount to the healthcare provider.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Avoiding additional salt is crucial to help manage edema in children with MCNS. While monitoring urine output is important, the other statements either misinterpret the need for prolonged school absence or misunderstand the risk associated with contact sports during steroid therapy.

3. What is one focus of current health care?

• A. Increased provision of nursing services
• B. Disease prevention
• C. Symptom management
• D. Identification of disease processes

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Disease prevention.' Modern healthcare places emphasis on preventing diseases to enhance overall health and well-being. While nursing services, symptom management, and disease identification are crucial components of healthcare, disease prevention plays a key role in reducing the burden of illness on individuals and communities.

4. A thorough systemic physical assessment is necessary in the extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infant to detect what?

• A. Weight gain reflective of fluid retention
• B. Difficulties in maternal-child attachment
• C. Subtle changes that may be indicative of an underlying problem
• D. Changes in Apgar score over the first 24 hours of life

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants, a thorough systemic physical assessment is crucial to detect subtle changes that may indicate an underlying problem. These infants are highly vulnerable and may show signs of stress through changes in feeding behavior, activity, color, oxygen saturation, or vital signs. Monitoring weight in ELBW infants primarily reflects genitourinary function rather than fluid retention. Difficulties in maternal-child attachment are important but are usually assessed during parental visits and are not the primary focus of a systemic physical assessment. Changes in the Apgar score are used immediately after birth to assess the transition to extrauterine life and are not as relevant in the following 24 hours to detect ongoing subtle issues.

5. What is a priority intervention for an infant with a temporary colostomy for Hirschsprung disease?

• A. Teaching how to irrigate the colostomy
• B. Protecting the skin around the colostomy
• C. Discussing the implications of a colostomy during puberty
• D. Using simple, straightforward language to prepare the child

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Protecting the skin around the colostomy is crucial to prevent irritation and infection, which are common complications in infants with colostomies. Teaching and discussing long-term implications are important but secondary to immediate skin care needs.

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