Nursing Elites

1. Which drug is usually the best choice for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for a child in the immediate postoperative period?

• A. Codeine sulfate (Codeine)
• B. Morphine (Roxanol)
• C. Methadone (Dolophine)
• D. Meperidine (Demerol)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Morphine is the drug of choice for PCA in children because of its efficacy, safety profile, and rapid onset of action for pain management.

2. The mother of a child with type 1 diabetes asks the nurse why her child cannot avoid all those ‘shots’ and take pills like an uncle does. How should the nurse respond?

• A. The pills work with adult pancreases only.
• B. Your child needs insulin replaced, and the oral hypoglycemic only add to an existing supply of insulin.
• C. The drugs affect fat and protein metabolism, not sugar.
• D. Perhaps when your child is older the pancreas will produce its own insulin, and then your child can take oral hypoglycemic agents.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Children with type 1 diabetes require insulin replacement because their pancreas produces little or no insulin. Oral hypoglycemics used in type 2 diabetes work by improving the effectiveness of insulin the body already makes, which is not sufficient in type 1 diabetes. Choice A is incorrect because the issue is not about the pancreas being adult or child-specific but rather the type of diabetes. Choice C is incorrect because it misstates the mechanism of action of the medications. Choice D is incorrect because it provides inaccurate information about the potential for the child's pancreas to produce insulin in the future, which is unlikely in type 1 diabetes.

3. After surgery yesterday for gastroesophageal reflux, the nurse finds that the infant has somehow removed the nasogastric (NG) tube. What nursing action is most appropriate to perform at this time?

• A. Notify the healthcare provider.
• B. Insert a new NG tube for feedings.
• C. Replace the NG tube to maintain gastric decompression.
• D. Leave the NG tube out as it may have been in long enough.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most appropriate action for the nurse to take in this situation is to notify the healthcare provider immediately. This is important as the removal of the NG tube can disrupt postoperative care, especially in terms of maintaining gastric decompression. Inserting a new NG tube without practitioner direction can be unsafe and is not within the nurse's scope of practice. Similarly, replacing the NG tube or leaving it out should be decided by the healthcare provider to ensure the infant's safety and appropriate postoperative care.

4. What is the first step in managing a child with anaphylaxis?

• A. Administer antihistamines
• B. Establish IV access
• C. Administer epinephrine
• D. Monitor vital signs

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer epinephrine. Administering epinephrine is the crucial first step in managing anaphylaxis as it helps reverse the severe allergic reaction by constricting blood vessels and relaxing airway muscles, preventing a life-threatening situation. Antihistamines (Choice A) are not the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis and should not delay the administration of epinephrine. Establishing IV access (Choice B) may be necessary but is not the initial step in managing anaphylaxis. Monitoring vital signs (Choice D) is important but should not take precedence over administering epinephrine in the acute management of anaphylaxis.

5. How is family systems theory best described?

• A. The family is viewed as the sum of individual members
• B. A change in one family member cannot create a change in other members
• C. Individual family members are readily identified as the source of a problem
• D. When the family system is disrupted, change can occur at any point in the system

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Family systems theory views the family as a whole, where changes in one member affect the entire system, and changes can occur at any point within the system.

Similar Questions