Nursing Elites

1. What is the most appropriate action for a healthcare provider if a child presents with suspected meningitis?

• A. Administer antibiotics immediately
• B. Perform a lumbar puncture
• C. Isolate the child
• D. Obtain a complete blood count

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Isolating the child is a priority to prevent the spread of infection until meningitis is confirmed or ruled out. Meningitis, particularly bacterial, is highly contagious and can lead to outbreaks if not properly managed. Isolation and prompt treatment are critical in preventing serious complications. Administering antibiotics immediately without confirmation of the diagnosis can be harmful if the cause is viral or non-infectious. Performing a lumbar puncture is a diagnostic procedure that should be done by a healthcare provider but is not the initial action when suspecting meningitis. Obtaining a complete blood count may be part of the diagnostic workup but is not the most appropriate initial action in suspected meningitis.

2. An awake, alert 4-year-old child has just arrived at the emergency department after an ingestion of aspirin at home. The practitioner has ordered activated charcoal. The nurse administers charcoal in which manner?

• A. Giving half of the solution and then repeating the other half in 1 hour
• B. Mixing with a flavorful beverage in an opaque container with a straw
• C. Serving it in a clear plastic cup so the child can see how much has been drunk
• D. Administering it through a nasogastric tube because the child will not drink it because of the taste

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Mixing activated charcoal with a flavorful beverage in an opaque container can help mask the taste and encourage the child to ingest it. Using an opaque container can prevent the child from seeing the unappealing appearance of the charcoal mixture, increasing compliance.

3. The nurse is caring postoperatively for an 8-year-old child with multiple fractures and other traumatic injuries from a motor vehicle crash. The child is experiencing severe pain. What is an important consideration in managing the child’s pain?

• A. Give only an opioid analgesic at this time.
• B. Increase the dosage of analgesic until the child is adequately sedated.
• C. Plan a preventive schedule of pain medication around the clock.
• D. Give the child a clock and explain when they can have pain medications.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: For severe postoperative pain, a preventive around-the-clock schedule is necessary to prevent decreased plasma levels of medications. Providing only an opioid analgesic at this time may not be sufficient for effective pain management. Increasing the dosage without an order is unsafe and may lead to oversedation. Planning a preventive schedule of pain medication around the clock ensures consistent pain relief and better management. Giving the child a clock and explaining when they can have pain medications may increase the child's focus on waiting for relief rather than addressing the pain promptly, making it a less effective strategy.

4. What nursing consideration is most important when caring for a child with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)?

• A. Children with ESRD usually adapt well to minor inconveniences of treatment.
• B. Children with ESRD require extensive support until they outgrow the condition.
• C. Multiple stresses are placed on children with ESRD and their families until the illness is cured.
• D. Multiple stresses are placed on children with ESRD and their families because children's lives are maintained by drugs and artificial means.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: ESRD places significant stress on both the child and the family due to the ongoing need for dialysis, medications, and lifestyle restrictions, making it important for healthcare providers to offer extensive support and resources to manage these challenges.

5. The mother of an infant diagnosed with bronchiolitis asks the nurse what causes the disease. How should the nurse respond?

• A. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• B. Haemophilus influenzae
• C. Parainfluenza
• D. Rotavirus

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis, especially in infants. Bronchiolitis is characterized by inflammation of the small airways in the lungs. Choice B, Haemophilus influenzae, is a bacterium that can cause respiratory infections but is not the primary cause of bronchiolitis. Choice C, Parainfluenza, is a common viral infection that can cause croup and other respiratory illnesses but is not the main cause of bronchiolitis. Choice D, Rotavirus, is a virus that primarily affects the gastrointestinal system, causing diarrhea and vomiting, and is not associated with bronchiolitis.

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