Nursing Elites

1. The parents of a 12-month-old child ask the nurse if the child can eat hot dogs as do their other children. The nurse’s reply should be based on what?

• A. The child is too young to digest hot dogs.
• B. The child is too young to eat hot dogs safely.
• C. Hot dogs must be sliced into sections to prevent aspiration.
• D. Hot dogs must be cut into small, irregular pieces to prevent aspiration.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Cutting hot dogs into small, irregular pieces reduces the risk of aspiration, which is a significant choking hazard for young children.

2. Ongoing fluid losses can overwhelm the child’s ability to compensate, resulting in shock. What early clinical sign precedes shock?

• A. Tachycardia
• B. Slow respirations
• C. Warm, flushed skin
• D. Decreased blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Tachycardia is an early sign of shock as the body tries to maintain cardiac output in the face of declining circulatory volume. Blood pressure often remains normal until late in the progression, at which point decompensated shock is occurring.

3. 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.

4. What is the appropriate placement of a tongue blade for assessment of the mouth and throat?

• A. On the lower jaw
• B. Side of the tongue
• C. Against the soft palate
• D. Center back area of the tongue

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The side of the tongue is the appropriate place for a tongue blade to avoid triggering the gag reflex during assessment of the mouth and throat.

5. An 8-year-old girl asks the nurse how the blood pressure apparatus works. The most appropriate nursing action is which?

• A. Ask her why she wants to know.
• B. Determine why she is so anxious.
• C. Explain in simple terms how it works.
• D. Tell her she will see how it works as it is used.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Providing a simple explanation satisfies the child's curiosity and helps reduce any anxiety about the procedure.

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