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. Which food should be introduced first to a 6-month-old infant?

• A. Fruits
• B. Eggs
• C. Vegetables
• D. Meat

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Vegetables, particularly pureed ones, are often recommended as a first solid food for infants because they are easy to digest and less likely to cause allergies. Fruits can be introduced later due to their natural sweetness, while eggs and meat are typically introduced after fruits and vegetables as they may pose a higher risk of allergies.

3. Surgery is performed on a child to correct cryptorchidism. The parents understand the reason for the surgery if they tell the nurse this was done to do what?

• A. Prevent damage to the undescended testicle.
• B. Prevent urinary tract infections.
• C. Prevent prostate cancer.
• D. Prevent an inguinal hernia.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The primary reason for correcting cryptorchidism through surgery is to prevent damage to the undescended testicle, which can lead to infertility and increase the risk of testicular cancer. Prevention of UTIs and prostate cancer are not the primary concerns in this context.

4. The nurse is interviewing the mother of an infant. The mother reports, "I had a difficult delivery, and my baby was born prematurely." This information should be recorded under which heading?

• A. History
• B. Present illness
• C. Chief complaint
• D. Review of systems

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The history section of the health record includes details about pregnancy, labor, and delivery, as these factors can have significant implications for the child's health.

5. The nurse observes that a newborn is having problems after birth. What should indicate a tracheoesophageal fistula?

• A. Jitteriness
• B. Meconium ileus
• C. Excessive frothy saliva
• D. Increased need for sleep

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Excessive frothy saliva is a hallmark sign of tracheoesophageal fistula. The abnormal connection between the esophagus and trachea causes difficulty in swallowing, leading to an accumulation of saliva in the mouth. This symptom is crucial for early identification and management of tracheoesophageal fistula. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they are not specific indicators of tracheoesophageal fistula.

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