Nursing Elites

1. What is the most consistent and commonly used indicator of pain in infants?

• A. Increased respirations
• B. Increased heart rate
• C. Thrashing of arms and legs
• D. Facial expression of discomfort

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Facial expression has consistently been validated as an indicator of pain in infants. Behavioral pain measures are most reliable for sharp procedural pain in infants. Increased heart rate and respirations are indicative of a generalized and complex response to stress, not specific for pain in infants. Thrashing of arms and legs is a reliable indicator in young children, not specifically in infants.

2. The nurse is preparing to give acetaminophen (Tylenol) to a child who has a fever. What nursing action is appropriate?

• A. Retake the temperature in 15 minutes after giving the Tylenol.
• B. Place a warm blanket on the child so chilling does not occur.
• C. Check to be sure the Tylenol dose does not exceed 15 mg/kg.
• D. Use cold compresses instead of Tylenol to control the fever.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Ensuring the dose does not exceed 15 mg/kg is critical to avoid overdose and potential liver damage. Retaking the temperature immediately or using cold compresses is not necessary, and placing a warm blanket could exacerbate the fever.

3. The parents of a 12-month-old child ask the nurse if the child can eat hot dogs as do their other children. The nurse’s reply should be based on what?

• A. The child is too young to digest hot dogs.
• B. The child is too young to eat hot dogs safely.
• C. Hot dogs must be sliced into sections to prevent aspiration.
• D. Hot dogs must be cut into small, irregular pieces to prevent aspiration.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Cutting hot dogs into small, irregular pieces reduces the risk of aspiration, which is a significant choking hazard for young children.

4. The nurse is caring for an infant who was born 24 hr ago to a mother who received no prenatal care. The infant is a poor feeder but sucks avidly on his hands. Clinical manifestations also include hyperactive reflexes, tremors, sneezing, and a high-pitched shrill cry. What does the nurse consider as a possible diagnosis for this infant?

• A. Seizure disorder
• B. Narcotic withdrawal
• C. Placental insufficiency
• D. Meconium aspiration syndrome

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this case, the infant's symptoms are consistent with narcotic withdrawal. Infants exposed to drugs in utero may display withdrawal symptoms starting around 12 to 24 hours post-birth. The presentation often includes hyperactive reflexes, tremors, sneezing, high-pitched shrill cry, poor feeding, and sucking avidly on hands. Signs such as loose stools, tachycardia, fever, projectile vomiting, sneezing, and generalized sweating are common. These symptoms are not indicative of a seizure disorder. Placental insufficiency typically leads to a small-for-gestational-age child, which is not mentioned in the scenario. Meconium aspiration syndrome primarily presents with respiratory distress, not the symptoms described in this case.

5. A new parent, when asked by a nurse, explains that the 4-month-old infant has been nursing regularly every 3 to 4 hours and seems satisfied. However, the parent recently introduced solid food in the form of unbuttered popcorn to the infant as a supplement. What should be the primary nursing concern in this situation?

• A. Imbalanced nutrition, more than body requirements, related to introduction of a high-calorie food
• B. Risk for aspiration related to feeding the infant an inappropriate food
• C. Imbalanced nutrition, less than body requirements, related to introduction of a low-nutritive food
• D. Readiness for enhanced nutrition, related to the age of the infant

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The primary nursing concern in this situation is the risk for aspiration. Popcorn is a choking hazard for infants, as their airway is not fully developed to handle solid foods like popcorn. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the main focus should be on the immediate risk of aspiration due to the inappropriate solid food given to the infant, rather than on nutritional imbalances or readiness for enhanced nutrition.

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