Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is taking vital signs on a group of assigned preschool-aged children. Which assessment finding would indicate the need for further action?

• A. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute
• B. Heart rate of 89 beats per minute
• C. Heart rate of 120 beats per minute
• D. Respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A heart rate of 120 beats per minute is high for a preschool-aged child and may indicate an underlying issue that requires further assessment. A respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute (choice A) is within the normal range for preschool children. Similarly, a heart rate of 89 beats per minute (choice B) falls within the expected range. A respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute (choice D) is slightly elevated but may not be as concerning as a heart rate of 120 beats per minute.

2. What disease should be suspected in a 3-day-old infant presenting with abdominal distention, vomiting, and failure to pass meconium?

• A. Pyloric stenosis
• B. Intussusception
• C. Hirschsprung disease
• D. Celiac disease

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Hirschsprung disease should be suspected in a newborn with abdominal distention, vomiting, and failure to pass meconium. This condition arises from a congenital absence of nerve cells in a portion of the colon, leading to severe constipation and intestinal obstruction. Pyloric stenosis typically presents with non-bilious projectile vomiting in the first few weeks of life. Intussusception classically manifests with sudden onset of colicky abdominal pain and currant jelly stools. Celiac disease may present with chronic diarrhea, failure to thrive, and abdominal distention but is less likely in this scenario.

3. What is the typical presentation of pyloric stenosis in infants?

• A. Bilious vomiting
• B. Projectile vomiting
• C. Blood in stools
• D. Failure to thrive

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Projectile vomiting. Pyloric stenosis in infants typically presents with projectile vomiting, which is forceful and projective in nature. This occurs due to the obstruction at the pylorus, leading to the stomach being unable to empty properly. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Bilious vomiting is more commonly associated with intestinal obstruction, blood in stools can occur in conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis or allergic colitis, and failure to thrive is a nonspecific finding that can be seen in various pediatric conditions.

4. The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 4-month-old infant on preventing an aspiration injury. What should the nurse include in the teaching?

• A. Keep baby powder out of reach.
• B. Inspect toys for removable parts.
• C. Allow the infant to take a bottle to bed.
• D. Teething biscuits can be used for teething discomfort.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Baby powder can be inhaled by the infant and cause respiratory distress. Toys should be inspected to prevent choking hazards. Allowing an infant to take a bottle to bed can increase the risk of aspiration, and hard foods like teething biscuits should be given with caution.

5. The mother of a child with type 1 diabetes asks the nurse why her child cannot avoid all those ‘shots’ and take pills like an uncle does. How should the nurse respond?

• A. The pills work with adult pancreases only.
• B. Your child needs insulin replaced, and the oral hypoglycemic only add to an existing supply of insulin.
• C. The drugs affect fat and protein metabolism, not sugar.
• D. Perhaps when your child is older the pancreas will produce its own insulin, and then your child can take oral hypoglycemic agents.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Children with type 1 diabetes require insulin replacement because their pancreas produces little or no insulin. Oral hypoglycemics used in type 2 diabetes work by improving the effectiveness of insulin the body already makes, which is not sufficient in type 1 diabetes. Choice A is incorrect because the issue is not about the pancreas being adult or child-specific but rather the type of diabetes. Choice C is incorrect because it misstates the mechanism of action of the medications. Choice D is incorrect because it provides inaccurate information about the potential for the child's pancreas to produce insulin in the future, which is unlikely in type 1 diabetes.

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