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. What is the recommended method to assess hydration status in infants?

• A. Capillary refill time
• B. Skin turgor
• C. Urine output
• D. Mucous membranes

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Urine output. Assessing urine output is a recommended method to determine hydration status in infants. Adequate urine output indicates good hydration, while decreased urine output may suggest dehydration. Capillary refill time (Choice A) is more indicative of circulatory status rather than hydration. Skin turgor (Choice B) is a useful assessment in adults but can be less reliable in infants. Checking mucous membranes (Choice D) can provide some information on hydration, but it is not as reliable as assessing urine output in infants.

3. A child with acute gastrointestinal bleeding is admitted to the hospital. The nurse observes which sign or symptom as an early manifestation of shock?

• A. Restlessness
• B. Rapid capillary refill
• C. Increased temperature
• D. Increased blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Restlessness is an early sign of shock due to decreased perfusion and oxygenation to the brain. This symptom requires immediate attention to prevent the progression to more severe stages of shock. Rapid capillary refill (Choice B) is not typically an early sign of shock but rather a sign of adequate perfusion. Increased temperature (Choice C) may occur in later stages of shock due to the body's response to stress. Increased blood pressure (Choice D) is not an early sign of shock; in fact, blood pressure tends to decrease in shock as a compensatory mechanism.

4. The nurse is testing an infant's visual acuity. By which age should the infant be able to fix on and follow a target?

• A. 1 month
• B. 1 to 2 months
• C. 3 to 4 months
• D. 6 months

Correct answer: C

Rationale: By 3 to 4 months of age, an infant should be able to fix on and follow a target, indicating proper visual development.

5. The parent of a 3-month-old infant is concerned because the infant is not able to sit independently. How should the nurse respond to this parent's concern?

• A. Sitting ability and the age of first tooth eruption are not correlated.
• B. Most infants sit steadily at 4 months.
• C. Most infants sit steadily at 3 months.
• D. Most infants do not sit steadily until 6-8 months.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because sitting steadily typically occurs closer to 6-8 months of age, not 3 or 4 months. Choice A is incorrect because sitting ability and the age of first tooth eruption are not related. Choice B and C are incorrect as most infants do not sit steadily at 3 or 4 months, and it is more common for infants to achieve this milestone around 6-8 months.

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