Nursing Elites

1. While assessing an 18-month-old child, a nurse observes that the toddler can crawl upstairs but needs assistance when climbing the stairs upright. What does this action indicate to the nurse?

• A. Presence of talipes equinovarus
• B. Reflective of neurologic damage
• C. Expected behavior in a toddler of this age
• D. Existence of developmental dysplasia of the hip

Correct answer: C

Rationale: At 18 months of age, needing assistance to climb stairs upright is considered normal behavior for a toddler. Crawling upstairs is a different motor skill and does not necessarily correlate with the ability to climb stairs. The child is still developing gross motor skills, and climbing stairs upright typically requires more coordination and strength, which may not be fully developed at this age. Choices A, B, and D are not relevant in this scenario as the observed behavior is within the expected range of development for an 18-month-old child.

2. A child with sickle cell anemia is admitted to the hospital during a vaso-occlusive crisis. What is the most important intervention for the nurse to implement?

• A. Administering oxygen
• B. Ensuring adequate hydration
• C. Monitoring vital signs
• D. Administering pain medication

Correct answer: B

Rationale: During a vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell anemia, ensuring adequate hydration is crucial because it helps to reduce the viscosity of the blood and prevent further sickling of the cells. Administering oxygen may be necessary in some cases to improve tissue oxygenation, but hydration is the priority to prevent complications. Monitoring vital signs is important, but hydration takes precedence during a vaso-occlusive crisis. Administering pain medication is important for pain management but does not address the underlying issue of vaso-occlusion.

3. While waiting for the administration of air pressure to reduce the intussusception, the boy passes a normal brown stool. Which nursing action is the most appropriate for the nurse to take?

• A. notify the practitioner
• B. measure abdominal girth
• C. auscultate for bowel sounds
• D. take vital signs, including blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to notify the practitioner. The passage of a normal brown stool in a child with intussusception could indicate spontaneous reduction of the intussusception. It is crucial to inform the practitioner immediately so that they can reassess the situation and determine the next steps, which may include adjusting the planned intervention. Measuring abdominal girth (choice B) may be important in assessing for abdominal distension but is not the most immediate action required in this scenario. Auscultating for bowel sounds (choice C) is a routine nursing assessment but does not take precedence over notifying the practitioner in this critical situation. Taking vital signs, including blood pressure (choice D), is also important but notifying the practitioner is more urgent to address the unexpected change in the patient's condition.

4. The school nurse is caring for a boy with hemophilia who fell on his arm during recess. What supportive measures should the nurse use until factor replacement therapy can be instituted?

• A. Apply warm, moist compresses
• B. Apply pressure for at least 1 minute
• C. Elevate the area above the level of the heart
• D. Begin passive range-of-motion unless the pain is severe

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Elevating the affected area above the level of the heart is the correct supportive measure for a child with hemophilia who has experienced trauma. This action helps reduce bleeding and swelling by promoting venous return and preventing further pooling of blood in the affected area. Applying warm, moist compresses (Choice A) may not be recommended as it can potentially increase bleeding by dilating blood vessels. Applying pressure for at least 1 minute (Choice B) can be helpful for minor cuts or wounds but may not be as effective in managing bleeding in a child with hemophilia. Beginning passive range-of-motion (Choice D) should be avoided as it can exacerbate bleeding and cause further damage in a child with hemophilia.

5. The nurse is assisting low-income families to access health care. The nurse is aware that, in today's society, this most accurately defines the diversity of a modern family.

• A. A family consists of parents and their offspring living together.
• B. A family is whatever the child and family say it is.
• C. A family is two or more people related or unrelated who are living together.
• D. A family is two or more genetically related persons living together with separate roles.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Given the diversity of families in today's society, some believe that family should be defined as whatever the child and family say it is.

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