Nursing Elites

1. The nurse has just started assessing a young child who is febrile and appears ill. There is hyperextension of the child's head (opisthotonos) with pain on flexion. Which is the most appropriate action?

• A. Ask the parent when the neck was injured
• B. Refer for immediate medical evaluation
• C. Continue assessment to determine the cause of the neck pain
• D. Record head lag on the assessment record and continue the assessment of the child

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Opisthotonos with pain on flexion is a sign of possible meningitis or other serious neurological conditions, requiring immediate medical evaluation.

2. What is the first step in treating a child with suspected anaphylaxis?

• A. Administer oxygen
• B. Start an IV line
• C. Give epinephrine
• D. Monitor vital signs

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Give epinephrine. Administering epinephrine is the first and most critical step in treating anaphylaxis. Epinephrine rapidly reverses the symptoms of anaphylaxis, including airway swelling, hypotension, and shock. Delaying administration can lead to severe complications or death, making it essential in emergency treatment. Choice A, administering oxygen, might be necessary but should not delay the administration of epinephrine. Starting an IV line (Choice B) is important for further treatment but not the initial step. Monitoring vital signs (Choice D) is essential but comes after administering epinephrine to stabilize the child.

3. Which medication should the nurse expect to administer to a child diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome to decrease proteinuria?

• A. Albumin
• B. Prednisone
• C. Penicillin
• D. Furosemide (Lasix)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Prednisone, a corticosteroid, is the primary treatment for Nephrotic Syndrome as it helps to reduce inflammation in the kidneys and decrease proteinuria by stabilizing the glomerular filtration barrier. Albumin is a protein replacement therapy and would not directly decrease proteinuria. Penicillin is an antibiotic that treats bacterial infections and is not used to manage Nephrotic Syndrome. Furosemide is a diuretic that helps in managing fluid retention but does not specifically target proteinuria in Nephrotic Syndrome.

4. What self-report pain rating scales can be used in children as young as 3 years of age?

• A. Poker Chip Tool
• B. Visual Analog Scale
• C. FACES Pain Rating Scale
• D. Word-Graphic Rating Scale

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The FACES Pain Rating Scale is suitable for children as young as 3 years of age. It uses facial expressions to depict different levels of pain, making it easy for young children to understand and use. The Poker Chip Tool is validated for children aged 4 and older who have a certain level of cognitive ability. The Visual Analog Scale is more appropriate for children aged 7 and above. The Word-Graphic Rating Scale, which uses descriptive words, is recommended for children in the age range of 4 to 17 years.

5. When should a child receive the first dose of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine if the mother is hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative?

• A. 2 months of age, before hospital discharge.
• B. Birth before discharge from the hospital.
• C. 6 months of age, at the third well-child visit.
• D. No time (this vaccine is not currently recommended).

Correct answer: B

Rationale: If the mother is HBsAg negative, it is recommended that the child receives the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth before discharge from the hospital. This is to provide early protection against the hepatitis B virus. The second dose of the vaccine is typically given at the first well-child visit, and the third dose is usually administered at a later date. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Committee on Infectious Diseases of the American Academy of Pediatrics govern the recommendations for immunization, including the hepatitis B virus vaccine. Choice A is incorrect as the first dose should ideally be given at birth. Choice C is incorrect as waiting until 6 months of age may leave the child vulnerable to infection during the early months of life. Choice D is incorrect as the hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all newborns, especially if the mother is HBsAg negative, to prevent transmission of the virus.

Similar Questions