Nursing Elites

1. Which nonpharmacologic intervention appears to be effective in decreasing neonatal procedural pain?

• A. Tactile stimulation
• B. Commercial warm packs
• C. Doing procedure during infant sleep
• D. Oral sucrose and nonnutritive sucking

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Oral sucrose and nonnutritive sucking are effective nonpharmacologic interventions for reducing procedural pain in neonates.

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. What is an important consideration in understanding the reactions of parents when their infant is born with physical defects?

• A. Grief lasts until the defects are repaired.
• B. Denial is a common adaptive reaction.
• C. The psychologic reaction is similar to that with the death of an infant.
• D. Reactions of health professionals to the birth of an infant can affect parents’ reactions.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a parent's infant is born with physical defects, understanding the psychological reactions is crucial. The reaction is often similar to the grief experienced when facing the death of a child. Parents need to grieve for the loss of the expected child and adapt to the needs of a child with physical defects. The grief process typically involves stages like shock, frustration, and anger, which can last for years. Denial during the shock phase is not maladaptive but can help parents cope initially. Additionally, parents are sensitive to the behavior of health professionals, whose interactions can significantly influence the parents' reactions to the infant. Therefore, recognizing the similarity of the psychological reaction to grief is an important consideration in understanding how parents cope with their infant's physical defects.

4. A child diagnosed with a soft tissue tumor is being treated with chemotherapy. Prior to administering the chemotherapy, which laboratory test should the nurse monitor to determine if the child has any capability of fighting infections?

• A. Hemoglobin
• B. Red blood cell count
• C. Platelets
• D. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is crucial for determining the child's ability to fight infections. Neutrophils play a key role in combating bacterial infections. Monitoring the ANC is essential before administering chemotherapy, as a low ANC indicates an increased risk of infection. Hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and platelets are important for assessing oxygen-carrying capacity, anemia, and clotting function, respectively, but they do not directly reflect the child's capability to fight infections.

5. Which of the following conditions is characterized by a 'machine-like' murmur in children?

• A. Patent ductus arteriosus
• B. Ventricular septal defect
• C. Atrial septal defect
• D. Coarctation of the aorta

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Patent ductus arteriosus. This condition is characterized by a continuous 'machine-like' murmur due to abnormal blood flow between the aorta and pulmonary artery. Ventricular septal defect (choice B) is characterized by a harsh holosystolic murmur, atrial septal defect (choice C) typically presents with a fixed split S2 and a pulmonary flow murmur, and coarctation of the aorta (choice D) is associated with a systolic murmur in the back and bilateral lower extremities.

Similar Questions