Nursing Elites

1. You are dispatched to a residence for a 4-year-old female who is sick. Your assessment reveals that she has increased work of breathing and is making a high-pitched sound during inhalation. Her mother tells you that she has been running a high fever for the past 24 hours. Your MOST immediate concern should be:

• A. determining if the child has a history of croup.
• B. preparing to treat her for a febrile seizure.
• C. assessing the need for ventilation assistance.
• D. taking her temperature to see how high it is.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a child with increased work of breathing, a high-pitched sound during inhalation, and a high fever, upper airway obstruction should be suspected. The child's condition may require immediate ventilation assistance to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation. Therefore, the most immediate concern in this scenario is to assess the need for ventilation assistance.

2. Which pain assessment tool is most appropriate for a 3-month-old hospitalized with a fractured femur?

• A. FLACC scale
• B. Poker chip tool
• C. Number scale
• D. Visual analog scale

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The FLACC scale, which stands for Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability, is specifically designed for nonverbal patients like infants and young children. It assesses pain based on observable behaviors such as facial expressions, leg movement, activity level, cry, and the ability to be consoled. In this case, a 3-month-old infant who is unable to communicate verbally would best be assessed using the FLACC scale to determine the level of pain experienced due to a fractured femur. The Poker chip tool, Number scale, and Visual analog scale are not suitable for nonverbal infants and young children as they rely on self-reporting or cognitive abilities that are not yet developed at this age.

3. What should the nurse include in the insulin administration instruction for the parents of a child being discharged on insulin?

• A. Insert the needle and aspirate before injecting
• B. Inject insulin into the extremity to be exercised to improve absorption
• C. The muscles in the abdomen and thigh are the easiest for self-administration
• D. Clean the injection site with soap and water and avoid alcohol

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the muscles in the abdomen and thigh are the most suitable areas for self-administration of insulin due to consistent absorption. Choices A and B are incorrect as aspirating before injecting insulin is unnecessary, and injecting into an extremity to be exercised does not enhance absorption. Choice D is incorrect as alcohol should be used to clean the injection site instead of soap and water, which can cause skin irritation.

4. When assessing a 6-year-old boy with pain in the right lower quadrant of his abdomen, which action should be performed first?

• A. Avoiding palpation of the abdomen.
• B. Palpating the right lower quadrant first.
• C. Auscultating bowel sounds for 2 minutes.
• D. Palpating the left upper quadrant first.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Palpating the left upper quadrant first is the correct approach when assessing abdominal pain in a child. This method helps to minimize causing additional discomfort to the child and allows for a more accurate assessment of their reaction to palpation. By starting on the left upper quadrant, you can gauge the child's pain response before moving to the area of complaint, which may be more sensitive. This approach is essential for a thorough and less distressing abdominal assessment in pediatric patients.

5. When assessing a geriatric patient who has possibly experienced an acute ischemic stroke, which of the following questions would be MOST appropriate to ask?

• A. When did you first notice the symptoms?
• B. Do you have a history of high blood pressure?
• C. What medications do you take and why?
• D. Have you previously had a heart attack?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most appropriate question to ask when assessing a geriatric patient who may have experienced an acute ischemic stroke is when the symptoms were first noticed. This information is crucial for determining the time window for potential treatments like thrombolytic therapy, as prompt intervention is necessary for stroke management. Option B is not as relevant in the acute assessment of stroke, though important for overall health history. Option C is important but may not be as time-sensitive as determining symptom onset. Option D focuses on a different cardiac event, not directly related to the current concern of a possible stroke.

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