Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is caring for an infant who was born 24 hr ago to a mother who received no prenatal care. The infant is a poor feeder but sucks avidly on his hands. Clinical manifestations also include hyperactive reflexes, tremors, sneezing, and a high-pitched shrill cry. What does the nurse consider as a possible diagnosis for this infant?

• A. Seizure disorder
• B. Narcotic withdrawal
• C. Placental insufficiency
• D. Meconium aspiration syndrome

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this case, the infant's symptoms are consistent with narcotic withdrawal. Infants exposed to drugs in utero may display withdrawal symptoms starting around 12 to 24 hours post-birth. The presentation often includes hyperactive reflexes, tremors, sneezing, high-pitched shrill cry, poor feeding, and sucking avidly on hands. Signs such as loose stools, tachycardia, fever, projectile vomiting, sneezing, and generalized sweating are common. These symptoms are not indicative of a seizure disorder. Placental insufficiency typically leads to a small-for-gestational-age child, which is not mentioned in the scenario. Meconium aspiration syndrome primarily presents with respiratory distress, not the symptoms described in this case.

2. After surgery yesterday for gastroesophageal reflux, the nurse finds that the infant has somehow removed the nasogastric (NG) tube. What nursing action is most appropriate to perform at this time?

• A. Notify the healthcare provider.
• B. Insert a new NG tube for feedings.
• C. Replace the NG tube to maintain gastric decompression.
• D. Leave the NG tube out as it may have been in long enough.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most appropriate action for the nurse to take in this situation is to notify the healthcare provider immediately. This is important as the removal of the NG tube can disrupt postoperative care, especially in terms of maintaining gastric decompression. Inserting a new NG tube without practitioner direction can be unsafe and is not within the nurse's scope of practice. Similarly, replacing the NG tube or leaving it out should be decided by the healthcare provider to ensure the infant's safety and appropriate postoperative care.

3. What should the healthcare provider consider when providing support to a family whose infant has just been diagnosed with biliary atresia?

• A. The prognosis for full recovery is excellent.
• B. Death usually occurs by 6 months of age.
• C. Liver transplantation may be needed eventually.
• D. Children with surgical correction live normal lives.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When supporting a family whose infant has been diagnosed with biliary atresia, it is important to consider that liver transplantation may be needed eventually. Biliary atresia is a serious condition where bile flow from the liver to the gallbladder is blocked or absent. While surgical interventions like the Kasai procedure can temporarily improve bile flow and delay the need for transplantation, the long-term survival often depends on liver transplantation as the child grows older. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the prognosis for full recovery is not excellent as biliary atresia is a chronic condition that often requires ongoing medical management, death usually does not occur by 6 months of age but the condition does require intervention, and not all children with surgical correction can live normal lives without the need for further interventions like transplantation.

4. When assessing a family, the nurse determines that the parents exert little or no control over their children. This style of parenting is called which?

• A. Permissive
• B. Dictatorial
• C. Democratic
• D. Authoritarian

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Permissive parenting is characterized by parents exerting little or no control over their children, leading to a lack of boundaries and structure.

5. The nurse understands that blocks to therapeutic communication include what? (Select all that apply.)

• A. Socializing
• B. All are applicable
• C. Using clichés
• D. Defending a situation

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Socializing, using clichés, and defending a situation are all barriers to effective therapeutic communication. Silence is a useful tool in therapeutic communication.

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