Nursing Elites

1. What is the most appropriate intervention for a child with suspected acute appendicitis?

• A. Administer antibiotics
• B. Apply heat to the abdomen
• C. Encourage oral fluids
• D. Prepare for surgery

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Prepare for surgery. Acute appendicitis is a surgical emergency that requires prompt removal of the appendix to prevent complications like rupture and peritonitis. Administering antibiotics (choice A) may be part of the treatment plan but should not delay surgical intervention. Applying heat to the abdomen (choice B) is not recommended as it can worsen the inflammation of the appendix. Encouraging oral fluids (choice C) is generally beneficial, but the priority in acute appendicitis is surgical intervention.

2. 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.

3. The mother of a 3-month-old breastfed infant asks about giving her baby water because it is summer and very warm. What should the nurse tell her?

• A. Fluids in addition to breast milk are not needed.
• B. Water should be given if the infant seems to nurse longer than usual.
• C. Clear juices are better than water to promote adequate fluid intake.
• D. Water once or twice a day will make up for losses resulting from environmental temperature.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Breast milk provides adequate hydration, even in warm weather, so additional fluids like water are not necessary and can interfere with breastfeeding.

4. What intervention is crucial during a sickle cell crisis in a child?

• A. Administer oxygen
• B. Apply cold compresses
• C. Restrict fluids
• D. Encourage bed rest

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering oxygen is crucial during a sickle cell crisis in a child as it helps to prevent further sickling of cells. Oxygen therapy can improve oxygen saturation levels, reducing the risk of tissue damage and complications. Applying cold compresses (choice B) is not recommended as it can potentially worsen vaso-occlusive crisis by causing vasoconstriction. Restricting fluids (choice C) is not appropriate as hydration is essential to prevent dehydration and maintain adequate blood flow. Encouraging bed rest (choice D) may be necessary but administering oxygen takes precedence in managing a sickle cell crisis.

5. According to Piaget, which principle supports a nine-year-old child's understanding that an arm will look the same when the IV is removed?

• A. The principle of conservation
• B. The principle of transductive reasoning
• C. The principle of identity
• D. The principle of reflex abilities

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, the principle of conservation. Piaget's principle of conservation relates to a child's ability to understand that certain properties of objects remain unchanged despite modifications in their appearance. In this case, the child's understanding that an arm will look the same after the IV is removed demonstrates conservation of appearance. Choice B, transductive reasoning, involves making faulty generalizations based on specific instances and does not apply in this context. Choice C, the principle of identity, pertains to recognizing objects as the same even if they undergo transformations, which is not directly relevant to the scenario. Choice D, reflex abilities, refers to automatic responses to stimuli and is unrelated to the child's understanding of the arm's appearance post-IV removal.

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