what is the most appropriate intervention for a child with suspected acute appendicitis

ATI RN

ATI Nursing Care of Children 2019 B

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. When auscultating an infant's lungs, the nurse detects diminished breath sounds. What should the nurse interpret this as?

A. Suggestive of chronic pulmonary disease
B. Suggestive of impending respiratory failure
C. An abnormal finding warranting investigation
D. A normal finding in infants younger than 1 year of age

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Diminished breath sounds in an infant are an abnormal finding and warrant further investigation to rule out conditions like atelectasis or pneumonia.

3. During a well-child checkup, the parent of a 5-year-old child reports the child seems much smaller than the 2 older siblings did at this same age. A review of the medical record reveals that the child is 44 inches tall and weighs 42 pounds. What information should be included in the response by the nurse?

A. The weight of your child at this time is within normal limits for this age but the child is moderately taller than other children this age.
B. Your child is within the acceptable range for height but the child is significantly smaller in weight for this age.
C. Your child is within normal limits for weight but the child is slightly shorter in stature than other children this age.
D. Your child is slightly taller than other children this age but the child’s weight is normal.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. The child is slightly taller than average, but the weight is within normal limits. This information should be reassuring to the parent and provides insights into normal growth patterns. Choice A is incorrect as it inaccurately states that the child is taller than other children this age. Choice B is incorrect because the child's weight is actually within normal limits. Choice C is incorrect as it inaccurately states that the child is shorter in stature than other children this age.

4. What is the most effective way to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?

A. Use a firm mattress
B. Place the baby on their back to sleep
C. Keep the room warm
D. Breastfeed exclusively

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to place the baby on their back to sleep. This position is the most effective way to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) according to research and recommendations from healthcare providers. Choice A, using a firm mattress, is important for infant safety but not as directly related to preventing SIDS. Keeping the room warm, as mentioned in choice C, is not recommended as it may increase the risk of SIDS. While breastfeeding has many benefits, choice D, breastfeeding exclusively is not the most effective method for preventing SIDS.