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. What is the major cause of death for children older than 1 year in the United States?

• A. Heart disease
• B. Childhood cancer
• C. Unintentional injuries
• D. Congenital anomalies

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death among children older than 1 year in the United States.

3. The nurse is seeing an adolescent and the parents in the clinic for the first time. Which should the nurse do first?

• A. Introduce him- or herself
• B. Make the family comfortable
• C. Give assurance of privacy
• D. Explain the purpose of the interview

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Introducing oneself is the first step in establishing a rapport and setting a professional tone for the interaction.

4. At what stage can infants raise their heads and gain control of their trunks before walking due to which directional pattern of development?

• A. Cephalocaudal
• B. Anterior to posterior
• C. Proximodistal
• D. Normal growth curve charts

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cephalocaudal. The cephalocaudal pattern of development means that growth and motor control proceed from the head downward through the body. This explains why infants can raise their heads before they can sit and gain control of their trunks before walking. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Anterior to posterior refers to development from the front to the back, while proximodistal refers to development from the center of the body outward. Normal growth curve charts are used to track physical growth over time and are not directly related to the directional pattern of development in infants.

5. A parent brings their 2-year-old son in for a well visit. The nurse assesses his growth since the last appointment. Which finding should concern the nurse?

• A. Prominent abdomen
• B. Forward curve of the spine in the sacral area
• C. Increase in height of 5 inches in the past year
• D. Total weight gain of 15 lb in the past year

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. A total weight gain of 15 lb in one year for a 2-year-old is excessive and may indicate an underlying issue such as a metabolic disorder or overfeeding. This rapid weight gain can put the child at risk for health problems. Choices A, B, and C are not typically concerning findings in a 2-year-old. A prominent abdomen can be normal at this age due to a toddler's slightly protruding belly, a forward curve of the spine at the sacral area is a typical finding in young children, and an increase in height of 5 inches in a year is within the expected range of growth for a 2-year-old.

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