you are treating a 5 year old child who has had severe diarrhea and vomiting for 3 days and is now showing signs of shock supplemental oxygen has been

ATI LPN

LPN Pediatrics

1. You are treating a 5-year-old child who has had severe diarrhea and vomiting for 3 days and is now showing signs of shock. Supplemental oxygen has been given, and you have elevated his lower extremities. En route to the hospital, you note that his work of breathing has increased. You should:

A. begin positive-pressure ventilations and reassess the child.
B. lower the extremities and reassess the child.
C. listen to the lungs with a stethoscope for abnormal breath sounds.
D. insert a nasopharyngeal airway and increase the oxygen flow.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When the work of breathing increases after elevating the legs, it is important to lower the extremities. Elevating the lower extremities in a child with signs of shock can worsen the condition by reducing venous return to the heart. Lowering the extremities can help improve venous return and potentially alleviate the increased work of breathing.

2. A postpartum client who delivered a healthy newborn is being assessed by a nurse. Which finding would indicate a complication during the early postpartum period?

A. Moderate lochia rubra
B. Bradycardia
C. Elevated blood pressure
D. Uterine contraction

Correct answer: C

Rationale: An elevated blood pressure in the postpartum period may indicate the onset of preeclampsia, a serious complication that requires immediate medical attention. Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and sometimes swelling in the hands and face. If left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious complications for both the mother and the baby. Therefore, it is crucial for healthcare providers to closely monitor blood pressure levels in postpartum clients to promptly address any signs of preeclampsia. Choices A, B, and D are not indicative of a complication during the early postpartum period. Moderate lochia rubra is a normal finding as it indicates the normal discharge of blood and tissue from the uterus after childbirth. Bradycardia, a slow heart rate, is not typically a concern in the absence of other symptoms or signs of distress. Uterine contractions are essential for involution and are expected in the postpartum period.

3. A female child, age 2, is brought to the emergency department after ingesting an unknown number of aspirin tablets about 30 minutes earlier. Her father is blaming the mother for neglecting the child while she was cooking. On entering the examination room, the child is crying and clinging to the mother. Which data should the nurse obtain first?

A. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure
B. Recent exposure to communicable diseases
C. Number of immunizations received
D. Height and weight

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the priority is to assess the child's vital signs first, including heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. These data will provide critical information on the child's current physiological status and guide further interventions. Option B, recent exposure to communicable diseases, is not the priority in an acute ingestion situation. Option C, number of immunizations received, and option D, height and weight, are important but not as critical as assessing vital signs in this immediate situation.

4. After attaching the AED to a 7-year-old child in cardiac arrest, you push the analyze button and receive a shock advised message. After delivering the shock, you should:

A. assess for a carotid pulse.
B. open the airway and ventilate.
C. immediately perform CPR.
D. reanalyze the cardiac rhythm.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: After delivering a shock, it is crucial to immediately resume CPR. CPR helps circulate oxygenated blood to vital organs until the AED prompts you to stop for further rhythm analysis. This continuous cycle of CPR and defibrillation maximizes the chances of restoring a normal cardiac rhythm and improving the child's chances of survival. Assessing for a carotid pulse is not necessary after a shock as pulse checks are often unreliable during resuscitation. Opening the airway and ventilating is not the immediate step after delivering a shock as CPR takes precedence. Reanalyzing the cardiac rhythm should be done only when prompted by the AED after a set period of CPR.

5. Which of the following findings is abnormal?

A. Rapid, irregular breathing in a newly born infant
B. Heart rate of 80 beats/min in a 3-month-old infant
C. Respiratory rate of 26 breaths/min in a 2-year-old child
D. Systolic BP of 100 mm Hg in a 10-year-old child

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A heart rate of 80 beats per minute in a 3-month-old infant is abnormally low for that age group and could indicate underlying health issues. The normal heart rate for a 3-month-old infant is typically higher, around 100-150 beats per minute. Therefore, this finding stands out as abnormal and warrants further evaluation. Choice A is not necessarily abnormal in a newly born infant as irregular breathing patterns can be common during the neonatal period. Choice C falls within the normal respiratory rate range for a 2-year-old child, which is around 20-30 breaths per minute. Choice D reflects a systolic blood pressure value within the normal range for a 10-year-old child, which is typically around 90-110 mm Hg.