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. What physiologic state(s) produces the clinical manifestations of nervous system stimulation and excitement, such as overexcitability, nervousness, and tetany?

• A. Metabolic acidosis
• B. Respiratory alkalosis
• C. Metabolic and respiratory acidosis
• D. Metabolic and respiratory alkalosis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Both metabolic and respiratory alkalosis can cause overexcitability and nervous system stimulation due to a decrease in ionized calcium levels, which can cause symptoms such as tetany and paresthesias. Acidosis typically has the opposite effect, leading to depression of the nervous system.

3. 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.

4. A father calls the clinic because he found his young daughter squirting Visine eyedrops into her mouth. What is the most appropriate nursing action?

• A. Reassure the father that Visine is harmless.
• B. Direct him to seek immediate medical treatment.
• C. Recommend inducing vomiting with ipecac.
• D. Advise him to dilute Visine by giving his daughter several glasses of water to drink.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Visine is not harmless when ingested, and immediate medical treatment is necessary due to the risk of toxicity. Vomiting should not be induced without medical advice, and dilution with water is not an appropriate treatment.

5. What is the first step in managing a child with anaphylaxis?

• A. Administer antihistamines
• B. Establish IV access
• C. Administer epinephrine
• D. Monitor vital signs

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer epinephrine. Administering epinephrine is the crucial first step in managing anaphylaxis as it helps reverse the severe allergic reaction by constricting blood vessels and relaxing airway muscles, preventing a life-threatening situation. Antihistamines (Choice A) are not the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis and should not delay the administration of epinephrine. Establishing IV access (Choice B) may be necessary but is not the initial step in managing anaphylaxis. Monitoring vital signs (Choice D) is important but should not take precedence over administering epinephrine in the acute management of anaphylaxis.

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