Nursing Elites

1. The nurse's approach when introducing hospital equipment to a preschooler who seems afraid should be based on which principle?

• A. The child may think the equipment is alive.
• B. Explaining the equipment will only increase the child’s fear
• C. One brief explanation will be enough to reduce the child’s fear
• D. The child is too young to understand what the equipment does

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Preschoolers may engage in magical thinking and believe inanimate objects are alive, so the nurse should explain the equipment in a way that reduces fear.

2. The nurse is preparing a child for possible alopecia from chemotherapy. What information should the nurse give regarding alopecia?

• A. Hair usually regrows in two years.
• B. When hair regrows, it may have a slightly different color or texture.
• C. Expose your head to sunlight to minimize alopecia.
• D. Wearing hats and scarves are preferred to wearing a wig.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Hair loss from chemotherapy is usually temporary, and when it regrows, it may have a different color or texture. Sun exposure should be minimized, as the scalp may be more sensitive. Wearing hats and scarves can provide comfort and protection, but there is no preference over wearing a wig. Choice A is incorrect because hair regrowth after chemotherapy varies from person to person and usually occurs sooner than two years. Choice C is incorrect as sun exposure should be minimized to protect the sensitive scalp. Choice D is incorrect as the preference between wearing hats, scarves, or a wig is subjective and depends on the individual's comfort and preferences.

3. A 3-year-old child, previously potty-trained, becomes a bed-wetter again during a hospital stay. Which explanation should the nurse provide to the parents?

• A. “Your child is no longer potty-trained and will need to be retrained when she goes home.”
• B. “The child may have developed a bladder infection in the hospital. I will notify the doctor.”
• C. “Preschool children may regress in their behaviors when they are ill in the hospital but should return to normal when they go back home.”
• D. “Don’t worry about it, she is fine.”

Correct answer: C

Rationale: During a hospital stay, preschool children may exhibit regression in behaviors such as bed-wetting due to stress. It is important for parents to understand that this behavior is a common response to the hospital environment and should resolve once the child is back home. Therefore, the correct explanation for the nurse to provide to the parents is choice C. Choice A is incorrect because it inaccurately states that the child is no longer potty-trained. Choice B is incorrect as it assumes a medical issue without evidence. Choice D is incorrect as it dismisses the parents' concerns without addressing the underlying cause of the behavior.

4. An infant with short bowel syndrome will be on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for an extended period of time. What should the nurse monitor the infant for?

• A. Central venous catheter infection, electrolyte losses, and hyperglycemia
• B. Hypoglycemia, catheter migration, and weight gain
• C. Venous thrombosis, hyperlipidemia, and constipation
• D. Catheter damage, red currant jelly stools, and hypoglycemia

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Infants with short bowel syndrome requiring prolonged total parenteral nutrition (TPN) are susceptible to central venous catheter infections, electrolyte losses, and hyperglycemia. Monitoring for these complications is crucial to prevent serious outcomes. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not reflect the common complications associated with prolonged TPN in infants.

5. 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.

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