Nursing Elites

1. What is the recommended method to assess hydration status in infants?

• A. Capillary refill time
• B. Skin turgor
• C. Urine output
• D. Mucous membranes

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Urine output. Assessing urine output is a recommended method to determine hydration status in infants. Adequate urine output indicates good hydration, while decreased urine output may suggest dehydration. Capillary refill time (Choice A) is more indicative of circulatory status rather than hydration. Skin turgor (Choice B) is a useful assessment in adults but can be less reliable in infants. Checking mucous membranes (Choice D) can provide some information on hydration, but it is not as reliable as assessing urine output in infants.

2. An infant with hydrocephalus is hospitalized for surgical placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Postoperative nursing care would include what?

• A. Monitor closely for signs of infection.
• B. Place the child with the operative side of the head up.
• C. Avoid pumping the shunt reservoir to maintain patency.
• D. Avoid maintaining a Trendelenburg position to decrease pressure on the shunt.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Postoperative nursing care for an infant with hydrocephalus who underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement includes monitoring closely for signs of infection, as infection is the greatest hazard in the postoperative period. Signs of cerebrospinal fluid infection to watch for include elevated temperature, poor feeding, vomiting, decreased responsiveness, and seizure activity. The child should be placed with the operative side of the head up to reduce pressure on the valve. The shunt reservoir should not be pumped to maintain patency, as this can disrupt its function. Maintaining a Trendelenburg position to decrease pressure on the shunt is contraindicated as it can lead to increased intracranial pressure and compromise the shunt's effectiveness.

3. A school-age child is admitted to the pediatric unit with a vaso-occlusive crisis. Which of these should be included in the nursing plan of care?

• A. Correction of alkalosis
• B. Pain management and administration of heparin
• C. Adequate oxygenation and replacement of factor VIII to correct the sickling
• D. Adequate hydration, oxygenation, and pain management

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell anemia require a comprehensive approach that includes adequate hydration to reduce blood viscosity, oxygenation to prevent further sickling of red blood cells, and aggressive pain management. This approach helps improve tissue perfusion and manage pain effectively. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Correction of alkalosis is not a priority in vaso-occlusive crisis management. Administration of heparin is not indicated as it can increase the risk of bleeding in sickle cell patients. Factor VIII replacement is not relevant to sickle cell anemia as it is a treatment for hemophilia, not sickle cell disease.

4. Which family theory is described as a series of tasks for the family throughout its life span?

• A. Exchange theory
• B. Developmental theory
• C. Structural-functional theory
• D. Symbolic interactional theory

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Developmental theory outlines the series of tasks and stages that a family goes through over its life span, helping to understand the family's development and needs over time.

5. What is a physical characteristic of infants whose mothers smoked during pregnancy?

• A. Being large for gestational age
• B. Growth restriction in weight only
• C. Preterm but size appropriate for gestational age
• D. Growth restriction in weight, length, and chest and head circumference

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Growth restriction in weight, length, and chest and head circumference. Infants born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy exhibit growth failure in weight, length, chest, and head circumference. This growth failure is directly related to the number of cigarettes smoked by the mother. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because infants exposed to maternal smoking do not tend to be large for gestational age, experience growth restriction in weight only, or be preterm but size appropriate for gestational age.

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