what is an essential nursing action when caring for a young child with severe diarrhea
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Pediatric HESI Test Bank

1. What is an essential nursing action when caring for a young child with severe diarrhea?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Promoting perianal skin integrity is crucial when caring for a young child with severe diarrhea as it helps prevent skin breakdown from the irritation caused by frequent stooling. Maintaining the IV (Choice A) may be necessary but is not directly related to managing perianal skin integrity. Taking daily weights (Choice B) is important for monitoring fluid status but not the priority when addressing perianal skin integrity. While replacing lost calories (Choice C) is essential, promoting perianal skin integrity takes precedence in preventing complications associated with skin breakdown.

2. What is an early sign of congestive heart failure that the nurse should recognize?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Tachypnea, which refers to rapid breathing, is an early sign of congestive heart failure. In heart failure, the heart's inability to pump efficiently can lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs, causing the child to breathe faster to try to compensate for the decreased oxygen exchange. Bradycardia (slow heart rate) is not typically associated with congestive heart failure; instead, it may indicate a different issue. Inability to sweat is not a common early sign of congestive heart failure. Increased urinary output is not a typical early sign of congestive heart failure; instead, it may be a sign of other conditions like diabetes or kidney issues.

3. What is a common finding that the nurse can identify in most children with symptomatic cardiac malformations?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Delayed physical growth is a common finding in children with symptomatic cardiac malformations. This occurs due to insufficient oxygenation and nutrient supply, which can affect overall growth and development. Mental retardation (Choice A) is not typically associated with symptomatic cardiac malformations. Inherited genetic factors (Choice B) may contribute to the development of cardiac malformations but are not a common finding in affected children. Clubbing of the fingertips (Choice D) is more commonly associated with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, rather than symptomatic cardiac malformations.

4. A child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy is to receive prednisone as part of their treatment plan. After teaching the child's parents about this drug, which statement by the parents indicates the need for additional teaching?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct statement should be, 'We should give this drug after he eats something.' Prednisone should be administered with food to help prevent gastrointestinal upset. Choice B is correct as monitoring for infections is important due to prednisone's immunosuppressive effects. Choice C is correct as prednisone should not be stopped suddenly to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Choice D is correct as weight gain is a common side effect of prednisone.

5. A child with a fever is prescribed acetaminophen. What should the caregiver teach the parents about administering this medication?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to measure the dose with a proper measuring device. Using a household spoon can lead to inaccurate dosing, which can be dangerous. Administering the medication with food or only when the child has a high fever are not the essential instructions related to the safe and effective administration of acetaminophen.

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