Nursing Elites

1. The nurse observes that a newborn is having problems after birth. What should indicate a tracheoesophageal fistula?

• A. Jitteriness
• B. Meconium ileus
• C. Excessive frothy saliva
• D. Increased need for sleep

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Excessive frothy saliva is a hallmark sign of tracheoesophageal fistula. The abnormal connection between the esophagus and trachea causes difficulty in swallowing, leading to an accumulation of saliva in the mouth. This symptom is crucial for early identification and management of tracheoesophageal fistula. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they are not specific indicators of tracheoesophageal fistula.

2. A four-year-old boy is admitted to the hospital with leg pain and fever. He is pale-looking and has bruises over various areas of his body. The physician suspects acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Which test would be used to confirm the diagnosis?

• A. Bone marrow aspirate
• B. Red blood cell count
• C. Lumbar puncture
• D. Bone scan

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A bone marrow aspirate is the definitive test to confirm acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in this case. It allows for the examination of leukemic cells in the bone marrow, providing a direct assessment of the disease. Red blood cell count (Choice B) is not specific for diagnosing leukemia but may show anemia commonly seen in leukemia patients. Lumbar puncture (Choice C) is used to assess central nervous system involvement, not primarily for confirming ALL. Bone scan (Choice D) is not a standard diagnostic test for ALL and is mainly used for evaluating bone metastases in other conditions.

3. During an otoscopic examination on an infant, in which direction is the pinna pulled?

• A. Up and back
• B. Up and forward
• C. Down and back
• D. Down and forward

Correct answer: C

Rationale: For infants, the pinna is pulled down and back to straighten the ear canal and allow proper visualization of the tympanic membrane during otoscopic examination.

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. The physician tells the parents of a 2-year-old that the child probably has RSV. The parents ask how the diagnosis will be confirmed. How should the nurse respond?

• A. We will swab your child's nose and send the secretions for testing.
• B. There is no specific test for RSV. The diagnosis is based on symptoms.
• C. We will send a viral culture to an outside lab for testing.
• D. There is no specific test for RSV. The diagnosis is based on symptoms.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. RSV is typically diagnosed by swabbing the nose and testing the secretions. This method helps confirm the presence of the respiratory syncytial virus. Choice B is incorrect because while symptoms are important in diagnosis, specific tests like swabbing for RSV do exist. Choice C is incorrect as sending a viral culture to an outside lab is not the primary method for diagnosing RSV. Choice D is a duplicate of choice B and is incorrect for the same reasons.

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