Nursing Elites

1. The caregiver is teaching a parent of a young child with a newly diagnosed seizure disorder. The child is prescribed valproic acid (Depakote) for control of seizures. Which parental statement indicates the need for further education?

• A. I will not use carbonated beverages to dilute his medication.
• B. I will give his medication with food to minimize gastrointestinal upset.
• C. I will not let him chew his tablet.
• D. I will bring him to the physician's office for regular blood work to check his blood levels.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Valproic acid should be administered with food to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal upset. Giving it on an empty stomach may increase the likelihood of adverse effects. The other statements are correct: A - Carbonated beverages should not be used to dilute the medication, C - The tablet should not be chewed, and D - Regular blood work is necessary to monitor valproic acid levels and potential side effects.

2. A patient is prescribed fluconazole (Diflucan) for a vaginal yeast infection. The nurse should be concerned if the patient is also taking which medication?

• A. Losartan (Cozaar)
• B. Simvastatin (Zocor)
• C. Lisinopril (Zestril)
• D. Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When fluconazole is taken with statins like simvastatin, it can increase the levels of the statin in the blood, potentially leading to adverse effects such as muscle pain and weakness. Therefore, the nurse should be concerned if the patient is taking simvastatin along with fluconazole.

3. A healthcare professional is preparing to administer a vaccine to a child who has hemophilia. Which of the following actions should the healthcare professional take?

• A. Administer the vaccine subcutaneously
• B. Administer the vaccine intramuscularly
• C. Use a 1-inch needle
• D. Apply pressure to the site for 1 to 2 minutes

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Administering the vaccine intramuscularly to a child with hemophilia is preferred to reduce the risk of bleeding. Hemophiliac individuals have a decreased ability to form blood clots, and administering vaccines intramuscularly reduces the risk of bleeding compared to subcutaneous administration. Using an appropriate needle length and applying pressure to the site post-injection are important steps, but choosing the intramuscular route is crucial in this case to minimize bleeding complications.

4. A toddler has minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) and 3+ pitting edema. Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care?

• A. Encourage an increased fluid intake for the toddler
• B. Place the child in an Airborne infection isolation room
• C. Increase the toddler's dietary sodium intake
• D. Administer corticosteroids to the toddler

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In managing minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) in children with pitting edema, corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment. Corticosteroids help reduce inflammation and decrease proteinuria, addressing the underlying cause of MCNS. Therefore, the nurse should prioritize administering the prescribed corticosteroids to the toddler as part of the plan of care.

5. Which assessment finding for a 4-month-old infant would require further action by the nurse?

• A. The posterior fontanel is open.
• B. The infant has good head control when held upright.
• C. The infant is able to roll only from abdomen to back.
• D. The anterior fontanel is open and soft.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. The posterior fontanel should be closed by 4 months of age. An open posterior fontanel at this age may indicate a delay in normal closure, which could be a cause for concern and require further evaluation by the healthcare provider to ensure proper development and growth. Choices B, C, and D are typical developmental milestones for a 4-month-old infant and do not raise immediate concerns requiring further action by the nurse.

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