Nursing Elites

1. When assessing a 30-year-old female in labor, what should the EMT do?

• A. Ask the mother when she is expecting to deliver.
• B. Avoid questioning the patient about her medical history.
• C. Determine the stage of her labor by examining her.
• D. Recall that delivery is imminent if she is crowning.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: During the assessment of a 30-year-old female in labor, the EMT should be aware that delivery is imminent if she is crowning. Crowning indicates that the baby's head is visible at the vaginal opening, signaling that the birth is progressing rapidly and the baby will soon be delivered. This is a critical moment that requires preparedness for the birth process and ensuring a safe delivery environment. Choice A is incorrect because asking the mother when she is expecting to deliver is not relevant when the baby's head is visible at the vaginal opening. Choice B is incorrect as obtaining the patient's medical history is essential for providing appropriate care. Choice C is incorrect because determining the stage of labor by examining the patient is important but recognizing crowning indicates that delivery is imminent and requires immediate action.

2. A toddler is admitted to the hospital because of sudden hoarseness, holding or pointing to their neck, and continuous cough. The nurse will be particularly concerned about:

• A. Acute respiratory tract infection
• B. Respiratory tract obstruction caused by a foreign body
• C. Retropharyngeal abscess
• D. Undetected laryngeal abnormality

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In a toddler presenting with sudden hoarseness, holding or pointing to their neck, and continuous cough, the nurse should be particularly concerned about respiratory tract obstruction caused by a foreign body. These symptoms are indicative of a possible foreign body in the airway, which can lead to serious complications and requires immediate attention to ensure the toddler's airway remains patent and unobstructed.

3. When assessing a newborn for jaundice, which area should be examined?

• A. Legs and feet
• B. Chest and abdomen
• C. Face and sclera
• D. Back and buttocks

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When assessing a newborn for jaundice, the healthcare provider should examine the face and sclera. Jaundice is often first noticeable in these areas due to the buildup of bilirubin, causing a yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes. Examining the legs and feet (Choice A) is not the most appropriate area for identifying jaundice in newborns. Similarly, the chest and abdomen (Choice B) are not the primary areas where jaundice is usually observed. Checking the back and buttocks (Choice D) is also not as useful as examining the face and sclera when assessing for jaundice in newborns.

4. You are assessing a 26-year-old woman who is 38 weeks pregnant and is in labor. She tells you that she was pregnant once before but had a miscarriage at 19 weeks. You should document her obstetric history as:

• A. gravida 2, para 1.
• B. gravida 2, para 0.
• C. gravida 1, para 1.
• D. gravida 0, para 2.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In obstetrics, gravida indicates the number of pregnancies, including the current one. Para indicates the number of pregnancies carried to viability (20 weeks or more). Since the patient has been pregnant twice but only carried one pregnancy past 20 weeks, her obstetric history should be documented as gravida 2, para 0. The miscarriage at 19 weeks does not contribute to the para count. Choice A (gravida 2, para 1) would indicate that she has had two pregnancies with one resulting in a live birth, which is incorrect. Choice C (gravida 1, para 1) would indicate that she has had one pregnancy with one live birth, which does not reflect her obstetric history. Choice D (gravida 0, para 2) would indicate that she has never been pregnant past 20 weeks, which is also inaccurate.

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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