Nursing Elites

1. When a father asks why his child with tetralogy of Fallot seems to favor a squatting position, the nurse would explain that squatting:

• A. Increases peripheral vascular resistance
• B. Decreases arterial blood flow away from the heart
• C. It's a common resting position when a child is tachycardic
• D. Increases the workload of the heart

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Squatting increases systemic vascular resistance, which leads to a reduction in the right-to-left shunting of blood in children with tetralogy of Fallot. This helps improve oxygenation by balancing the pulmonary and systemic blood flow. The squatting position decreases the pressure in the right ventricle and reduces the magnitude of the right-to-left shunt by increasing afterload, thereby improving oxygenation. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because squatting does not decrease arterial blood flow away from the heart, is not related to being tachycardic, and does not increase the workload of the heart.

2. What are the MOST important initial steps in assessing and managing a newborn?

• A. Drying and warming the infant, obtaining an APGAR score.
• B. Clearing the airway, keeping the infant warm.
• C. Suctioning the airway, obtaining a heart rate.
• D. Keeping the infant warm, counting respirations.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most crucial initial steps in assessing and managing a newborn involve clearing the airway to ensure proper breathing and keeping the infant warm to maintain body temperature. Airway clearance helps prevent respiratory distress, while warmth is essential to prevent hypothermia, a common issue in newborns. These steps are vital in the immediate care of a newborn to support their transition to extrauterine life and ensure their well-being. Choice A is incorrect because obtaining an APGAR score is important but not as critical as clearing the airway. Choice C is incorrect as suctioning the airway is not always necessary and obtaining a heart rate is secondary to ensuring a clear airway and warmth. Choice D is incorrect because counting respirations is not as immediate and crucial as clearing the airway.

3. Which of the following signs or symptoms is more common in children than adults following an isolated head injury?

• A. Changes in pupillary reaction
• B. Tachycardia and diaphoresis
• C. Nausea and vomiting
• D. Altered mental status

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are more common in children than adults following an isolated head injury. Children often present with gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting after a head injury due to differences in physiological responses compared to adults.

4. You and your partner are performing CPR on a 2-year-old female in cardiac arrest. During your resuscitation attempt, you should:

• A. hyperventilate her due to severe hypoxia.
• B. attach the AED pads after 5 minutes of high-quality CPR.
• C. perform compressions and ventilations at a ratio of 30:2.
• D. allow the chest to fully recoil between compressions.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Allowing the chest to fully recoil between compressions is crucial during CPR to ensure proper blood flow. This action allows the heart to refill with blood, enhancing the effectiveness of compressions and circulation. Hyperventilating the patient can lead to decreased cardiac output and is not recommended. Attaching AED pads should be done as soon as possible in a pediatric cardiac arrest situation, ideally within 2 minutes. The correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for pediatric CPR is 30:2, focusing on high-quality compressions to provide adequate perfusion to vital organs.

5. When inserting an oropharyngeal airway in a small child, what is the preferred method?

• A. Insert the airway with the curvature towards the roof of the mouth and then rotate it 180 degrees.
• B. Insert the airway as you would in an adult, but use an airway that is one size smaller than usual.
• C. Depress the tongue with a tongue blade and insert the airway with the downward curve facing the tongue.
• D. Open the airway with the tongue-jaw lift maneuver and insert the airway until slight resistance is met.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When inserting an oropharyngeal airway in a small child, it is crucial to depress the tongue with a tongue blade and insert the airway with the downward curve facing the tongue. This technique helps in maintaining an open airway and preventing obstruction by the tongue. Placing the airway with the curve facing the roof of the mouth or using a smaller size is not recommended for small children, as it may not effectively keep the airway patent. The tongue-jaw lift maneuver is not the preferred method for inserting an oropharyngeal airway in small children.

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