Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is caring postoperatively for an 8-year-old child with multiple fractures and other traumatic injuries from a motor vehicle crash. The child is experiencing severe pain. What is an important consideration in managing the child’s pain?

• A. Give only an opioid analgesic at this time.
• B. Increase the dosage of analgesic until the child is adequately sedated.
• C. Plan a preventive schedule of pain medication around the clock.
• D. Give the child a clock and explain when they can have pain medications.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: For severe postoperative pain, a preventive around-the-clock schedule is necessary to prevent decreased plasma levels of medications. Providing only an opioid analgesic at this time may not be sufficient for effective pain management. Increasing the dosage without an order is unsafe and may lead to oversedation. Planning a preventive schedule of pain medication around the clock ensures consistent pain relief and better management. Giving the child a clock and explaining when they can have pain medications may increase the child's focus on waiting for relief rather than addressing the pain promptly, making it a less effective strategy.

2. With the National Center for Health Statistics criteria, which body mass index (BMI)-for-age percentiles should indicate the patient is at risk for being overweight?

• A. 10th percentile
• B. 75th percentile
• C. 85th percentile
• D. 95th percentile

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A BMI-for-age at the 85th percentile indicates a child is at risk for being overweight, according to the National Center for Health Statistics criteria.

3. The nurse is interviewing the father of a 10-month-old girl. The child is playing on the floor when she notices an electrical outlet and reaches up to touch it. Her father says no firmly and moves her away from the outlet. The nurse should use this opportunity to teach the father what?

• A. That the child should be given a time-out
• B. That the child is old enough to understand the word no
• C. That the child will learn safety issues better if she is spanked
• D. That the child should already know that electrical outlets are dangerous

Correct answer: B

Rationale: At 10 months, children are beginning to understand simple commands like "no." It is important for parents to reinforce this understanding consistently to help the child learn about boundaries and safety.

4. What physiologic state(s) produces the clinical manifestations of nervous system stimulation and excitement, such as overexcitability, nervousness, and tetany?

• A. Metabolic acidosis
• B. Respiratory alkalosis
• C. Metabolic and respiratory acidosis
• D. Metabolic and respiratory alkalosis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Both metabolic and respiratory alkalosis can cause overexcitability and nervous system stimulation due to a decrease in ionized calcium levels, which can cause symptoms such as tetany and paresthesias. Acidosis typically has the opposite effect, leading to depression of the nervous system.

5. Which clinical manifestations should the nurse expect in a child diagnosed with nephroblastoma?

• A. Atrial fibrillation
• B. Endocarditis
• C. Hyperlipidemia
• D. Hypertension

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Hypertension. Nephroblastoma, also known as Wilms' tumor, often causes hypertension due to its impact on the kidney, which plays a role in regulating blood pressure. Atrial fibrillation (choice A) and endocarditis (choice B) are not typically associated with nephroblastoma. Hyperlipidemia (choice C) is also not a common clinical manifestation of nephroblastoma.

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