Nursing Elites

1. The presence of which pair of factors is a good predictor of a fluid deficit of at least 5% in an infant?

• A. Weight loss and decreased heart rate
• B. Capillary refill of less than 2 seconds and no tears
• C. Increased skin elasticity and sunken anterior fontanel
• D. Dry mucous membranes and generally ill appearance

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Dry mucous membranes and an ill appearance are good indicators of dehydration in infants, often correlating with a fluid deficit of at least 5%. Sunken fontanels and poor skin turgor are also indicative but were not options here.

2. A 5-year-old has patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for pain management after abdominal surgery. What information does the nurse include in teaching the parents about the PCA?

• A. The child may not be pain-free.
• B. The parents or nurse may push the button for a bolus if needed.
• C. The pump allows for a continuous basal rate to deliver a constant amount of medication for pain control.
• D. Monitoring is required every 1 to 2 hours to assess patient response.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the PCA pump can be programmed to deliver a continuous basal rate of pain medication to maintain pain control. While the goal of PCA is effective pain relief, it does not guarantee a pain-free state. In the case of a 5-year-old child, the parents or nurse can administer boluses if necessary since the child may not fully comprehend using the PCA button. Monitoring every 1 to 2 hours for patient response is adequate and there is no need for monitoring every 15 minutes, as stated in choice D, unless specific circumstances dictate more frequent monitoring.

3. Which laboratory test would be most important for the nurse to assess when caring for a toddler suspected of having cystic fibrosis?

• A. Liver enzymes
• B. Serum calcium
• C. Sweat chloride test
• D. Urine creatinine

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The sweat chloride test is the primary diagnostic test for cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is characterized by abnormal transport of chloride and sodium across epithelial cell membranes, leading to increased chloride in sweat. This test is crucial for diagnosing cystic fibrosis in suspected cases. Liver enzymes (Choice A), serum calcium (Choice B), and urine creatinine (Choice D) are not specific tests for cystic fibrosis and would not provide the necessary information for diagnosis in this case.

4. The nurse suspects fluid overload in an infant receiving intravenous fluids. What clinical manifestation is suggestive of water intoxication?

• A. Oliguria
• B. Weight loss
• C. Irritability and seizures
• D. Muscle weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Water intoxication can lead to cerebral edema, causing neurological symptoms such as irritability and seizures. Oliguria, weight loss, and muscle weakness are not typical signs of water intoxication.

5. A 3-year-old child was adopted immediately after birth. The parents have just asked the nurse how they should tell the child that she is adopted. Which guideline concerning adoption should the nurse use in planning a response?

• A. It is best to wait until the child asks about it.
• B. The best time to tell the child is between the ages of 7 and 10 years.
• C. It is not necessary to tell a child who was adopted so young.
• D. Telling the child is an important aspect of their parental responsibilities.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: It is important to tell children about their adoption early, in an age-appropriate manner, as part of building trust and openness in the family relationship.

Similar Questions