Nursing Elites

1. Nana Esi is an 11-year-old girl diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). She asks her attending nurse why she can't take a pill rather than shots like her grandmother does. Which of the following would be the nurse's best reply?

• A. If your blood glucose levels are controlled, you can switch to using pills.
• B. The pills correct fat and protein metabolism, not carbohydrate metabolism.
• C. Your body does not make insulin, so the insulin injections help to replace it.
• D. The pills work on the adult pancreas; you can switch when you are 18.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The nurse's best reply to Nana Esi is option C: 'Your body does not make insulin, so the insulin injections help to replace it.' In type 1 diabetes, the body's immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, individuals with type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin, necessitating insulin injections for survival. Option A is incorrect as type 1 diabetes always requires insulin therapy. Option B is inaccurate as pills do not replace the function of insulin. Option D is also incorrect as there is no age restriction on using insulin therapy for type 1 diabetes.

2. When preventing cardiac arrest in infants and small children, the primary focus should be on:

• A. Providing immediate transport.
• B. Ensuring adequate ventilation.
• C. Keeping the child warm.
• D. Avoiding upsetting the child.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct approach to prevent cardiac arrest in infants and small children is to ensure adequate ventilation. In these cases, maintaining proper oxygenation and ventilation is crucial for sustaining life. Providing immediate transport, keeping the child warm, or avoiding upsetting the child are important considerations but ensuring adequate ventilation takes precedence in preventing cardiac arrest and supporting the child's vital functions.

3. When assessing a 6-year-old boy with pain in the right lower quadrant of his abdomen, which action should be performed first?

• A. Avoiding palpation of the abdomen.
• B. Palpating the right lower quadrant first.
• C. Auscultating bowel sounds for 2 minutes.
• D. Palpating the left upper quadrant first.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Palpating the left upper quadrant first is the correct approach when assessing abdominal pain in a child. This method helps to minimize causing additional discomfort to the child and allows for a more accurate assessment of their reaction to palpation. By starting on the left upper quadrant, you can gauge the child's pain response before moving to the area of complaint, which may be more sensitive. This approach is essential for a thorough and less distressing abdominal assessment in pediatric patients.

4. Which of the following signs would you expect to see in a child with respiratory failure?

• A. Slow, irregular breathing
• B. Flushed skin
• C. Strong cry
• D. Unconsciousness

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a child with respiratory failure, slow, irregular breathing is a common sign. Respiratory failure impairs the ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide efficiently, leading to altered breathing patterns. Flushed skin, a strong cry, or unconsciousness may not be specific signs of respiratory failure and could be indicative of other conditions. Flushed skin may be a sign of fever or increased blood flow, a strong cry may indicate pain or distress, and unconsciousness can have various causes beyond respiratory failure.

5. 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.

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