Nursing Elites

1. The healthcare provider is providing postoperative care to a 7-year-old child who had surgery for appendicitis. The child is experiencing pain at the surgical site. What is the healthcare provider's priority action?

• A. Administer the prescribed pain medication
• B. Encourage the child to take deep breaths
• C. Apply a warm compress to the surgical site
• D. Reposition the child to a more comfortable position

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering the prescribed pain medication is crucial to effectively manage the child's postoperative pain. Pain management is a priority to ensure the child's comfort and promote healing following surgery. Encouraging deep breaths, applying warm compresses, or repositioning the child may help, but addressing the pain with medication is the initial and most vital intervention.

2. What is the most important information for the PN to reinforce with the parents when caring for a child diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever?

• A. Complete the full course of prescribed antibiotics.
• B. Ensure the child gets plenty of physical exercise.
• C. Keep the child on a low-sodium diet.
• D. Administer prescribed pain medications as needed.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Completing the full course of antibiotics is crucial in the management of acute rheumatic fever as it helps prevent recurrence and complications. Antibiotics are essential in eradicating the underlying infection that triggers the autoimmune response leading to rheumatic fever. Reinforcing the importance of completing the prescribed antibiotic regimen is vital to ensure the child's recovery and prevent further health issues. Choices B, C, and D are not as critical as completing the antibiotic treatment. While physical exercise, a low-sodium diet, and pain management are important aspects of overall health, they are not the primary focus when managing acute rheumatic fever.

3. What recommendation should the PN provide to help a 5-year-old girl who has started wetting the bed again after being dry at night for several months?

• A. Explain that bedwetting is normal in children and will pass with time.
• B. Advise limiting fluids in the evening and before bedtime.
• C. Suggest punishing the child for wetting the bed to prevent recurrence.
• D. Encourage the child to use the bathroom immediately before bed.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Encouraging the child to use the bathroom before bed is a helpful recommendation to prevent nighttime bedwetting. Bedwetting can sometimes reoccur due to stress or other factors, and ensuring the child empties their bladder before sleeping may reduce the likelihood of bedwetting episodes. Choice A is incorrect because while bedwetting is common in children, it is essential to provide practical solutions rather than just reassurance. Choice B is not the best option for a child who has recently started bedwetting again after being dry, as it may not address the underlying cause. Choice C is inappropriate and harmful as punishing the child for bedwetting can lead to psychological distress and worsen the situation.

4. A 16-year-old female student with a history of asthma controlled with both an oral antihistamine and an albuterol (Proventil) metered-dose inhaler (MDI) comes to the school nurse. The student complains that she cannot sleep at night, feels shaky and her heart feels like it is 'beating a mile a minute.' Which information is most important for the nurse to obtain?

• A. When she last took the antihistamine.
• B. When her last asthma attack occurred.
• C. Duration of most asthma attacks.
• D. How often the MDI is used daily.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The most important information for the nurse to obtain in this scenario is how often the MDI is used daily. This is crucial to assess if the symptoms the student is experiencing, such as insomnia, shakiness, and tachycardia, could be related to overuse of the inhaler. Overuse of albuterol can lead to side effects like tremors, palpitations, and difficulty sleeping, so understanding the frequency of MDI use is key in determining a potential cause for the student's symptoms. Options A, B, and C are not as pertinent in this situation as they do not directly address the possible link between the student's symptoms and the use of the albuterol MDI.

5. The nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant who has just received routine immunizations. The mother reports that the baby has been fussy and has a low-grade fever since the immunizations. What is the best response by the nurse?

• A. These are common side effects and should resolve within a few days
• B. Your baby may be having an allergic reaction to the immunizations
• C. You should bring your baby to the clinic immediately for evaluation
• D. You should give your baby aspirin to help with the fever

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct response by the nurse is to reassure the mother that fussiness and low-grade fever are common side effects of immunizations in infants and should resolve within a few days. It is essential to educate the mother about these expected reactions to alleviate her concerns. Choice B is incorrect because allergic reactions to immunizations usually present with more severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing or swelling. Choice C is not warranted unless there are concerning symptoms present. Choice D is inappropriate as aspirin is contraindicated in infants due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.

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