Nursing Elites

1. The child is admitted with acute abdominal pain and possible appendicitis. What intervention is appropriate to relieve the abdominal discomfort during the evaluation?

• A. Place the child in the Trendelenburg position.
• B. Apply moist heat to the abdomen.
• C. Allow the child to assume a position of comfort.
• D. Administer a saline enema to cleanse the bowel.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Allowing the child to assume a position of comfort is appropriate as it helps alleviate discomfort without the risk of complications. Placing the child in the Trendelenburg position could increase intra-abdominal pressure and worsen the condition. Applying moist heat may lead to vasodilation and potential perforation in case of appendicitis. Administering a saline enema can be harmful if the appendix is inflamed or perforated.

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. Which pediatric condition is most likely to present with a "whooping" sound during coughing?

• A. Croup
• B. Bronchitis
• C. Pertussis
• D. Asthma

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Pertussis. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is characterized by a "whooping" sound during coughing episodes. This distinctive sound is due to the rapid intake of air after a series of coughs. Choice A, Croup, typically presents with a barking cough and stridor. Choice B, Bronchitis, is characterized by a productive cough with mucus. Choice D, Asthma, usually presents with wheezing and shortness of breath.

4. 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.

5. A child with pyloric stenosis is having excessive vomiting. The nurse should assess for what potential complication?

• A. Hyperkalemia
• B. Hyperchloremia
• C. Metabolic acidosis
• D. Metabolic alkalosis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Excessive vomiting in pyloric stenosis leads to the loss of stomach acid (hydrochloric acid), resulting in metabolic alkalosis, not hyperkalemia, hyperchloremia, or metabolic acidosis. Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by a higher pH level in the blood due to the loss of acid and a relative increase in bicarbonate. Hyperkalemia is an elevated level of potassium in the blood and is not directly related to excessive vomiting in pyloric stenosis. Hyperchloremia is an excess of chloride in the blood, which is not typically associated with this condition. Metabolic acidosis is a condition characterized by a lower pH level in the blood, caused by an excess of acid or a loss of bicarbonate, which is not the typical complication seen in pyloric stenosis with excessive vomiting.

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