Nursing Elites

1. Parents of a sick infant talk with a nurse about their baby. One parent says, “I am so upset; I didn’t realize our baby was ill.” What major indication of illness in an infant should the nurse explain to the parent?

• A. Grunting respirations
• B. Excessive perspiration
• C. Longer periods of sleep
• D. Crying immediately after feedings

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Longer periods of sleep than usual can be a sign of illness in infants. When an infant sleeps more than usual, it may indicate that the baby is conserving energy due to an underlying condition. Grunting respirations (choice A) can be a sign of respiratory distress, excessive perspiration (choice B) may indicate overheating or fever, and crying immediately after feedings (choice D) can be a sign of gastrointestinal discomfort, such as colic or reflux. However, in this scenario, the emphasis is on changes in sleep patterns as a potential indicator of illness.

2. When teaching an adolescent with type 1 diabetes about dietary management, what should the nurse include?

• A. Eating meals at home is recommended.
• B. Food portions should be measured using a gram scale.
• C. Ensure a ready source of glucose is available.
• D. No specific foods need to be cooked for the adolescent.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When teaching an adolescent with type 1 diabetes about dietary management, it is crucial to ensure a ready source of glucose is available. In cases of hypoglycemia, having a quick source of glucose can help raise blood sugar levels rapidly. Option A is not the most critical aspect of dietary management for an adolescent with type 1 diabetes. While it is generally recommended to eat meals at home for better control over food choices, the availability of a ready glucose source takes precedence. Option B, weighing foods on a gram scale, may not be practical for every meal and could be burdensome. Option D, cooking specific foods for the adolescent, is not necessary as the focus should be on the overall dietary plan rather than individualized meals.

3. A 3-year-old child ingests a substance that may be a poison. The parent calls a neighbor who is a nurse and asks what to do. What should the nurse recommend the parent to do?

• A. Administer syrup of ipecac.
• B. Call the poison control center.
• C. Take the child to the emergency department.
• D. Give the child bread dipped in milk to absorb the poison.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In cases of potential poisoning, immediate guidance from professionals is crucial. Administering syrup of ipecac is no longer recommended routinely due to potential risks and lack of benefit. Taking the child to the emergency department is necessary in severe cases but may not always be the immediate action needed. Giving the child bread dipped in milk is not an appropriate method to manage poisoning and could potentially worsen the situation. Therefore, the most appropriate action for the nurse to recommend is to call the poison control center for expert advice on managing the situation.

4. The nurse is implementing care for a school-age child admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which prescribed intervention should the nurse implement first?

• A. Begin 0.9% saline solution intravenously as prescribed
• B. Administer regular insulin intravenously as prescribed
• C. Place child on a cardiac monitor
• D. Place child on a pulse oximetry monitor

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Initiating intravenous saline solution is the initial priority in managing diabetic ketoacidosis to address dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Administering insulin without addressing dehydration first can lead to potential complications. While monitoring cardiac status and oxygen saturation are important, addressing the fluid and electrolyte imbalances takes precedence in the management of DKA.

5. When obtaining a health history from parents of a 4-month-old boy with congenital hypothyroidism, what would the nurse most likely assess?

• A. The child's growth is above normal for his age.
• B. The child is active and playful.
• C. The skin appears pink and healthy.
• D. It is difficult to keep the child awake.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In congenital hypothyroidism, infants often experience lethargy and difficulty staying awake due to low thyroid hormone levels. Choice A is incorrect as hypothyroidism can lead to poor growth in infants. Choice B is incorrect because hypothyroidism can cause decreased activity levels and lethargy rather than being active and playful. Choice C is incorrect as hypothyroidism can result in dry skin and poor skin tone, not necessarily pink and healthy-looking skin.

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