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. Mr. Lopez has a 7-year-old son with growth hormone (GH) deficiency. He shares with the nurse the desire of his son to play ball games. However, his wife feels the child will be in danger since he is smaller than the other children. In planning anticipatory guidance for these parents, the nurse should keep in mind which of the following?

• A. The child should be allowed to play because doing so can foster healthy self-esteem
• B. The risk for fractures is increased because GH deficiency results in fragile bones
• C. Activity could aggravate insulin sensitivity, causing hyperglycemia
• D. Activity would aggravate the child's joints, already overtasked by obesity

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Children with GH deficiency may face challenges due to their size, but it is important to encourage their participation in activities like playing ball games to promote healthy self-esteem. Allowing the child to play can help in building confidence and a sense of accomplishment, which are essential for their overall well-being.

3. The word hormone is derived from the Greek 'hormao' meaning 'I excite or arouse.' Hormones communicate this effect through their unique chemical structures recognized by specific receptors on their target cells, their patterns of secretion, and their concentrations in the general or local circulation. Which of the following is NOT a function of hormones?

• A. Producing new offspring
• B. Promoting growth and enhancing beauty
• C. Maintaining body temperature
• D. Fighting infections

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Hormones play a crucial role in various bodily functions such as regulating metabolism, growth, and maintaining homeostasis. However, producing new offspring involves reproductive processes controlled by other systems in the body, not directly by hormones.

4. Which of the following is a sign of altered mental status in a small child?

• A. Fear of the EMT's presence.
• B. Recognition of the parents.
• C. Inattention to the EMT's presence.
• D. Consistent eye contact with the EMT.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Inattention to the EMT's presence is a sign of altered mental status in a small child. When a child is not responsive or does not acknowledge the presence of the EMT, it could indicate a change in their mental status. This lack of attention or awareness may signify a neurological issue or other medical condition affecting the child's cognitive function.

5. You are dispatched to a residence for a 5-year-old child who is not breathing. Upon arrival, you find the child supine on the floor, cyanotic, and unresponsive. You should first:

• A. begin chest compressions.
• B. open the airway and give two rescue breaths.
• C. apply an AED and analyze the rhythm.
• D. ask the parent for the child's medical history.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When encountering an unresponsive and not breathing child, the initial step is to open the airway and provide two rescue breaths. This action helps to deliver oxygen to the child's lungs and body, which is crucial in attempting to restore breathing and circulation. Chest compressions are not initiated first in pediatric cases unless the child has no signs of circulation after delivering rescue breaths. Applying an AED and analyzing the rhythm is not the initial step in a pediatric cardiac arrest scenario, as the primary focus should be on providing oxygenation. Asking the parent for the child's medical history is not the immediate priority when the child is unresponsive and not breathing, as interventions to support breathing and circulation should be the primary concern.

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