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. An infant is born with anencephaly. Based on the knowledge of this diagnosis, what information does the nurse consider when interacting with the family?

• A. Many treatment options exist.
• B. Immediate surgery is necessary.
• C. The condition is incompatible with life.
• D. The child will have permanent disabilities.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'The condition is incompatible with life.' Anencephaly is the most serious neural tube defect where both hemispheres of the brain are absent. It is incompatible with life, as there are no medical or surgical treatment options available. While some infants with mature brain stem function can maintain vital functions for a short period, anencephaly is ultimately not survivable. Choice A is incorrect as there are no treatment options for anencephaly. Choice B is incorrect as immediate surgery is not necessary for this condition. Choice D is incorrect as an infant with anencephaly will not have permanent disabilities since the condition is not compatible with life.

3. A school-age child is admitted to the pediatric unit with a vaso-occlusive crisis. Which of these should be included in the nursing plan of care?

• A. Correction of alkalosis
• B. Pain management and administration of heparin
• C. Adequate oxygenation and replacement of factor VIII to correct the sickling
• D. Adequate hydration, oxygenation, and pain management

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell anemia require a comprehensive approach that includes adequate hydration to reduce blood viscosity, oxygenation to prevent further sickling of red blood cells, and aggressive pain management. This approach helps improve tissue perfusion and manage pain effectively. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Correction of alkalosis is not a priority in vaso-occlusive crisis management. Administration of heparin is not indicated as it can increase the risk of bleeding in sickle cell patients. Factor VIII replacement is not relevant to sickle cell anemia as it is a treatment for hemophilia, not sickle cell disease.

4. The nurse is taking a health history of an adolescent. Which best describes how the chief complaint should be determined?

• A. Request a detailed listing of symptoms.
• B. Ask the adolescent, "Why did you come here today?"
• C. Interview the parent away from the adolescent to determine the chief complaint
• D. Use what the adolescent says to determine, in correct medical terminology, what the problem is

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Asking the adolescent directly about the reason for their visit encourages open communication and helps the nurse understand the primary concern from the patient's perspective.

5. The nurse is caring for a child with acute renal failure. What laboratory findings should the nurse expect to find? (Select all that apply.)

• A. Hyponatremia
• B. Hyperkalemia
• C. All are applicable
• D. Elevated blood urea nitrogen level

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In acute renal failure, laboratory findings typically include hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, and elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels due to the kidneys' inability to excrete waste and balance electrolytes. Metabolic alkalosis is less common, with metabolic acidosis being more typical.

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