Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is assessing a 3-day-old breastfed newborn who weighed 3400 g (7 pounds, 8 oz) at birth. The infant’s mother is now concerned because the infant weighs 3147 g (6 pounds, 15 oz). The most appropriate nursing intervention is what?

• A. Recommend supplemental feedings of formula.
• B. Explain that this weight loss is within normal limits.
• C. Assess the child further to determine the cause of excessive weight loss.
• D. Encourage the mother to express breast milk for bottle-feeding the infant.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A neonate normally loses about 10% of the birth weight by age 3 to 4 days. The birth weight is usually regained by the 10th day of life. In this case, the weight loss from 3400 g to 3147 g is within the expected range. Therefore, the most appropriate action is to explain to the mother that this weight loss is within normal limits. Choice A is incorrect because supplemental feedings of formula are not indicated for this expected weight loss in a breastfed newborn. Choice C is incorrect as there is no evidence to suggest excessive weight loss at this point. Choice D is unnecessary at this stage and may not align with the current situation of normal weight loss post-birth.

2. Which laboratory value at the time of diagnosis should the nurse anticipate would determine the worst prognosis for a child with leukemia?

• A. Slow response to chemotherapy
• B. Platelets of 150,000/mcL
• C. Leukocytes less than 10,000/mcL
• D. Leukocytes of 275,000/mcL

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A high white blood cell count (leukocytes of 275,000/mcL) at diagnosis is associated with a worse prognosis in leukemia because it indicates a more aggressive disease with a higher tumor burden. Slow response to chemotherapy (choice A) is a consequence of the aggressive disease and not a determining factor at diagnosis. Platelets of 150,000/mcL (choice B) and leukocytes less than 10,000/mcL (choice C) are within normal ranges and not indicative of a worse prognosis in leukemia.

3. 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.

4. The parents of a 2-month-old boy are concerned about spoiling their son by picking him up when he cries. What is the nurse's best response?

• A. Allow him to cry for no longer than 15 minutes and then pick him up
• B. Babies need comforting and cuddling. Meeting these needs will not spoil him
• C. Babies this young cry when they are hungry. Try feeding him when he cries
• D. If he isn’t soiled or wet, leave him, and he'll cry himself to sleep

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Comforting and cuddling a 2-month-old baby when they cry helps build trust and security. At this age, responding to cries does not lead to spoiling, but rather supports healthy emotional development.

5. The parents of an infant with a cleft palate ask the nurse, "What follow-up care will our infant need after the repair?" Which is an accurate response by the nurse?

• A. Your infant will not need any subsequent follow-up care
• B. Your infant will only need to be evaluated by an audiologist
• C. Your infant will only need follow-up with a speech pathologist
• D. Your infant will need follow-up with audiologists and orthodontists

Correct answer: D

Rationale: After cleft palate repair, the child will need ongoing follow-up with audiologists, speech pathologists, and orthodontists to monitor hearing, speech development, and dental alignment.

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