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 nurse is caring for a child receiving chemotherapy with the following orders: Zantac 70 mg IV in normal saline 30 mL to infuse over 30 minutes. The nurse should set the infusion pump to deliver how many mL/hour?

• A. 60 mL/hour
• B. 45 mL/hour
• C. 30 mL/hour
• D. 15 mL/hour

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 60 mL/hour. The total volume to be infused is 30 mL over 30 minutes. To calculate the infusion rate in mL/hour, divide the total volume by the total time in hours. In this case, 30 mL / 0.5 hours = 60 mL/hour. Choice B, 45 mL/hour, is incorrect as it does not correspond to the calculated infusion rate. Choices C and D, 30 mL/hour and 15 mL/hour respectively, are also incorrect based on the calculation.

3. The nurse is reviewing the importance of role learning for children. The nurse understands that children's roles are primarily shaped by which members?

• A. Peers
• B. Parents
• C. Siblings
• D. Grandparents

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Parents play the primary role in shaping their children's roles and behaviors, especially in early childhood, through modeling, guidance, and expectations.

4. Which condition is characterized by a "barking" cough in children?

• A. Asthma
• B. Bronchiolitis
• C. Croup
• D. Pneumonia

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Croup is the correct answer. It is characterized by a distinctive "barking" cough, typically worse at night, caused by the inflammation of the upper airway, specifically the larynx and trachea. Asthma (Choice A) typically presents with wheezing and shortness of breath rather than a barking cough. Bronchiolitis (Choice B) commonly causes wheezing and respiratory distress in infants and young children. Pneumonia (Choice D) often presents with symptoms like fever, productive cough, and chest pain, but not typically a barking cough.

5. A thorough systemic physical assessment is necessary in the extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infant to detect what?

• A. Weight gain reflective of fluid retention
• B. Difficulties in maternal-child attachment
• C. Subtle changes that may be indicative of an underlying problem
• D. Changes in Apgar score over the first 24 hours of life

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants, a thorough systemic physical assessment is crucial to detect subtle changes that may indicate an underlying problem. These infants are highly vulnerable and may show signs of stress through changes in feeding behavior, activity, color, oxygen saturation, or vital signs. Monitoring weight in ELBW infants primarily reflects genitourinary function rather than fluid retention. Difficulties in maternal-child attachment are important but are usually assessed during parental visits and are not the primary focus of a systemic physical assessment. Changes in the Apgar score are used immediately after birth to assess the transition to extrauterine life and are not as relevant in the following 24 hours to detect ongoing subtle issues.

Similar Questions