Nursing Elites

1. The parents of a child with sickle cell anemia ask why their child did not have a sickle cell crisis until he was approximately 6 months old. How should the nurse respond?

• A. Your child probably had a crisis, and you were unaware of the symptoms.
• B. Are you sure your child has sickle cell anemia and not sickle cell trait?
• C. Affected children can be asymptomatic in early infancy because of high levels of fetal hemoglobin that inhibit sickling.
• D. Have you asked your doctor about this yet?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is present in high levels during early infancy, inhibiting sickling unlike adult hemoglobin (HbS). As the levels of HbF decrease and HbS increases, the risk of sickling and crises becomes more pronounced, typically after 6 months of age. Choice A is incorrect because it assumes the crisis went unnoticed, which is not supported by medical knowledge. Choice B is incorrect as it questions the child's diagnosis rather than explaining the phenomenon of delayed crises. Choice D is incorrect as it does not provide the parents with the necessary information regarding their query.

2. The parents of a newborn with an umbilical hernia ask about treatment options. The nurse's response should be based on which knowledge?

• A. Surgery is recommended as soon as possible.
• B. The defect usually resolves spontaneously by 3 to 5 years of age.
• C. Aggressive treatment is necessary to reduce its high mortality.
• D. Taping the abdomen to flatten the protrusion is not recommended.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Most umbilical hernias in newborns resolve on their own by 3 to 5 years of age without the need for surgical intervention, unless complications arise. Surgery is not typically recommended for umbilical hernias in newborns due to the high rate of spontaneous resolution. Aggressive treatment is not necessary as umbilical hernias are typically benign and not associated with high mortality. Taping the abdomen is not recommended as it can cause skin irritation and does not speed up the resolution of the hernia.

3. What is an appropriate nursing intervention for a child with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) who has scrotal edema?

• A. Place an ice pack on the scrotal area.
• B. Place the child in an upright sitting position.
• C. Elevate the scrotum with a rolled washcloth.
• D. Place a warm moist pack to the scrotal area.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Elevating the scrotum with a rolled washcloth helps reduce edema by promoting fluid drainage. Ice packs are not recommended due to the risk of frostbite, and warm moist packs are not typically used for this purpose. An upright position does not specifically address the edema.

4. What does the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend as the best form of infant nutrition?

• A. Exclusive breastfeeding until 1 year of age
• B. Exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months of age
• C. Commercially prepared infant formula until 1 year of age
• D. Commercially prepared infant formula until 4 to 6 months of age

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The American Academy of Pediatrics advocates for exclusive breastfeeding until 1 year of age as the best form of infant nutrition. Breastfeeding for the first year of life provides optimal nutrition and benefits for the infant. Exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months of age is not in line with the AAP's recommendation for a full year. While commercially prepared infant formula is an alternative if breastfeeding is not possible, it is not the preferred choice according to AAP guidelines. The recommendation for commercial infant formula until 1 year of age is not in line with the AAP's stance on the benefits of extended breastfeeding.

5. Which teaching point should the nurse include when providing education to an adolescent client who participates in soccer regarding the plan of care for diabetes mellitus?

• A. Decreased food intake
• B. Increased doses of insulin
• C. Increased food intake
• D. Decreased doses of insulin

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct teaching point the nurse should include is to advise the adolescent client who participates in soccer to increase food intake. Physical activity increases glucose utilization, so adolescents with diabetes need to consume additional carbohydrates to prevent hypoglycemia during and after exercise. Choice A (Decreased food intake) is incorrect because the adolescent needs extra carbohydrates to support the increased physical activity. Choice B (Increased doses of insulin) is incorrect as the focus should be on adjusting food intake rather than insulin doses. Choice D (Decreased doses of insulin) is also incorrect as the insulin doses should be adjusted based on the increased food intake and physical activity level.

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