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. What is the primary objective of care for the child with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS)?

• A. Reduce blood pressure
• B. Lower serum protein levels
• C. Minimize excretion of urinary protein
• D. Increase the ability of tissue to retain fluid

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary objective in managing MCNS is to minimize the excretion of urinary protein, which is responsible for the hypoalbuminemia and subsequent edema in these patients.

3. Why are neonates predisposed to problems with thermoregulation?

• A. Renal function is not fully developed
• B. Flexed posture favors heat loss
• C. A large body surface area favors heat loss to the environment
• D. A thick layer of subcutaneous fat provides excellent insulation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Newborns have a large surface area relative to their body weight, making them more susceptible to heat loss and requiring careful thermoregulation. Choice A is incorrect because renal function is not directly related to thermoregulation. Choice B is incorrect because a flexed posture actually helps reduce heat loss by minimizing the surface area exposed to the environment. Choice D is incorrect because neonates have limited subcutaneous fat, which contributes to their susceptibility to heat loss.

4. Which developmental milestone would the nurse expect an 11-month-old infant to have achieved?

• A. Sitting independently
• B. Turning a doorknob
• C. Building a tower of four cubes
• D. Walking independently

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Sitting independently. By 11 months, most infants can sit independently. This milestone usually precedes walking, which typically occurs closer to 12 months. Turning a doorknob and building a tower of four cubes involve more complex motor skills that are typically achieved later in development. Therefore, at 11 months, sitting independently is the milestone that the nurse would expect an infant to have achieved.

5. The parent of a 3-month-old infant is concerned because the infant is not able to sit independently. How should the nurse respond to this parent's concern?

• A. Sitting ability and the age of first tooth eruption are not correlated.
• B. Most infants sit steadily at 4 months.
• C. Most infants sit steadily at 3 months.
• D. Most infants do not sit steadily until 6-8 months.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because sitting steadily typically occurs closer to 6-8 months of age, not 3 or 4 months. Choice A is incorrect because sitting ability and the age of first tooth eruption are not related. Choice B and C are incorrect as most infants do not sit steadily at 3 or 4 months, and it is more common for infants to achieve this milestone around 6-8 months.

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