Nursing Elites

1. Before administering a tube feeding to a child, what should the practical nurse (PN) assess?

• A. Tube placement.
• B. Bowel sounds.
• C. Abdominal circumference.
• D. Tube patency.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Assessing tube placement is critical before initiating a tube feeding to verify its correct positioning in the stomach. This assessment helps prevent potential complications such as aspiration if the tube is incorrectly placed in the respiratory tract. Checking bowel sounds, abdominal circumference, and tube patency are important assessments in the care of a child receiving tube feedings, but ensuring proper tube placement takes precedence to ensure safe and effective delivery of nutrition.

2. A 16-year-old female student with a history of asthma controlled with both an oral antihistamine and an albuterol (Proventil) metered-dose inhaler (MDI) comes to the school nurse. The student complains that she cannot sleep at night, feels shaky and her heart feels like it is 'beating a mile a minute.' Which information is most important for the nurse to obtain?

• A. When she last took the antihistamine.
• B. When her last asthma attack occurred.
• C. Duration of most asthma attacks.
• D. How often the MDI is used daily.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The most important information for the nurse to obtain in this scenario is how often the MDI is used daily. This is crucial to assess if the symptoms the student is experiencing, such as insomnia, shakiness, and tachycardia, could be related to overuse of the inhaler. Overuse of albuterol can lead to side effects like tremors, palpitations, and difficulty sleeping, so understanding the frequency of MDI use is key in determining a potential cause for the student's symptoms. Options A, B, and C are not as pertinent in this situation as they do not directly address the possible link between the student's symptoms and the use of the albuterol MDI.

3. What recommendation should the PN provide to help a 5-year-old girl who has started wetting the bed again after being dry at night for several months?

• A. Explain that bedwetting is normal in children and will pass with time.
• B. Advise limiting fluids in the evening and before bedtime.
• C. Suggest punishing the child for wetting the bed to prevent recurrence.
• D. Encourage the child to use the bathroom immediately before bed.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Encouraging the child to use the bathroom before bed is a helpful recommendation to prevent nighttime bedwetting. Bedwetting can sometimes reoccur due to stress or other factors, and ensuring the child empties their bladder before sleeping may reduce the likelihood of bedwetting episodes. Choice A is incorrect because while bedwetting is common in children, it is essential to provide practical solutions rather than just reassurance. Choice B is not the best option for a child who has recently started bedwetting again after being dry, as it may not address the underlying cause. Choice C is inappropriate and harmful as punishing the child for bedwetting can lead to psychological distress and worsen the situation.

4. A 7-year-old child with cystic fibrosis is admitted to the hospital with a respiratory infection. The nurse is teaching the child’s parents about the importance of chest physiotherapy (CPT). Which statement by the parents indicates they need further teaching?

• A. We should perform CPT before meals.
• B. CPT will help loosen mucus in the lungs.
• C. We should perform CPT right after the child eats.
• D. CPT is an important part of our child’s treatment.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Chest physiotherapy should not be performed right after meals to avoid inducing vomiting. It should be done before meals or at least 1 hour after for effective mucus clearance and to prevent any potential complications like vomiting. Choice A is correct as performing CPT before meals helps in loosening mucus. Choice B is also correct as CPT is indeed helpful in loosening mucus in the lungs. Choice D is correct as CPT plays a crucial role in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.

5. A 4-year-old child is brought to the clinic with complaints of ear pain and fever. The practical nurse suspects otitis media. Which symptom supports this suspicion?

• A. Clear nasal discharge.
• B. Dry, hacking cough.
• C. Tugging at the ear.
• D. Sore throat.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Tugging at the ear is a common symptom in children with otitis media. It often indicates discomfort or pain in the ear, suggesting inflammation or infection in the middle ear. This behavior is frequently observed in young children who are unable to express their discomfort verbally, making it a significant clinical indicator for otitis media in this age group. Clear nasal discharge (Choice A) is more indicative of a cold or allergies, while a dry, hacking cough (Choice B) is not typically associated with otitis media. Although a sore throat (Choice D) can sometimes accompany ear infections, tugging at the ear is a more specific and reliable symptom in this case.

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