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. The nurse's approach when introducing hospital equipment to a preschooler who seems afraid should be based on which principle?

• A. The child may think the equipment is alive.
• B. Explaining the equipment will only increase the child’s fear
• C. One brief explanation will be enough to reduce the child’s fear
• D. The child is too young to understand what the equipment does

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Preschoolers may engage in magical thinking and believe inanimate objects are alive, so the nurse should explain the equipment in a way that reduces fear.

3. Which physiological acid-base balance complication would be most important for the nurse to assess in a patient with diarrhea?

• A. High serum pH
• B. Normal serum pH
• C. Metabolic alkalosis
• D. Metabolic acidosis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is metabolic acidosis. Diarrhea can lead to the loss of bicarbonate, causing an imbalance in the acid-base status of the body, specifically resulting in metabolic acidosis. High serum pH (choice A) is incorrect as diarrhea-induced bicarbonate loss would lower pH, not increase it. Normal serum pH (choice B) is not the best answer as diarrhea can disrupt the acid-base balance. Metabolic alkalosis (choice C) is an alkaline state, which is less likely to be caused by diarrhea.

4. In pediatric patients, what is the primary concern with untreated vesicoureteral reflux (VUR)?

• A. Recurrent UTIs
• B. Chronic renal failure
• C. Hypertension
• D. Bladder dysfunction

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The primary concern with untreated vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in pediatric patients is chronic renal failure. Untreated VUR can lead to this complication due to recurrent urinary tract infections and kidney damage. While recurrent UTIs (Choice A) are a common consequence of VUR, the ultimate worry is the development of chronic renal failure. Hypertension (Choice C) may occur as a result of renal damage but is not the primary concern. Bladder dysfunction (Choice D) is not the most significant consequence of untreated VUR in terms of long-term outcomes compared to chronic renal failure.

5. An adolescent states, “I want to be a doctor or a lawyer when I grow up because I like taking care of people.” Which Eriksonian challenge is the adolescent attempting?

• A. Identity vs. role diffusion
• B. Trust vs. mistrust
• C. Industry vs. inferiority
• D. Autonomy vs. shame and doubt

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Identity vs. role diffusion. During adolescence, individuals face the challenge of forming a cohesive sense of self and identity. In this scenario, the adolescent's desire to become a doctor or lawyer reflects the exploration of potential roles and career paths, indicating an attempt to establish a clear identity. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Trust vs. mistrust is a challenge experienced in infancy, industry vs. inferiority is relevant to the school-age period, and autonomy vs. shame and doubt is associated with the toddler stage, not adolescence.

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