Nursing Elites

1. Your assessment of a newborn reveals cyanosis to the chest and face and a heart rate of 90 beats/min. What should you do first?

• A. Dry the infant briskly.
• B. Suction the mouth.
• C. Begin artificial ventilations.
• D. Begin chest compressions.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a newborn with cyanosis to the chest and face and a heart rate of 90 beats/min, the priority action is to begin artificial ventilations. A heart rate below 100 beats/min with cyanosis indicates a need for immediate respiratory support to improve oxygenation. Drying the infant briskly or suctioning the mouth may be necessary later but are not the initial priority. Chest compressions are not indicated as the heart rate is above 60 beats/min.

2. One of the signs of CHF is shortness of breath. What is the term for shortness of breath when lying down?

• A. Platypnea
• B. Orthopnea
• C. Apnea
• D. Epistaxis

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Orthopnea is the specific term used to describe shortness of breath when lying down. This condition is commonly seen in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) due to the redistribution of fluid in the body when changing positions. Platypnea refers to shortness of breath that worsens when sitting or standing, apnea is the cessation of breathing, and epistaxis is the medical term for a nosebleed. Therefore, the correct answer is B (Orthopnea).

3. A child newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus has been stabilized with insulin injections daily. A nurse prepares a discharge teaching plan regarding the insulin. The teaching plan should reinforce which of the following concepts?

• A. Always store insulin vials in the refrigerator
• B. Adjust insulin dosage before exercise
• C. Presence of ketones in urine indicates a need for less insulin
• D. Systematically rotate injection sites

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Systematically rotating injection sites is crucial to prevent tissue damage and ensure optimal insulin absorption. This practice helps in preventing lipohypertrophy, a condition characterized by fat accumulation at injection sites, which can affect insulin absorption and lead to inconsistent blood glucose control. By rotating injection sites, the risk of skin and tissue damage is minimized, and insulin's effectiveness is maintained over time.

4. A 3-year-old female presents with respiratory distress. She is conscious, crying, and clinging to her mother. She has mild intercostal retractions and an oxygen saturation of 93%. The MOST effective way of delivering oxygen to her involves:

• A. gently restraining her and assisting with ventilations.
• B. ventilations with a flow-restricted, oxygen-powered device.
• C. a non-rebreathing mask with the flow rate set at 6 to 8 L/min.
• D. asking the mother to hold an oxygen mask near her face.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a pediatric patient with respiratory distress, a non-rebreathing mask with a flow rate set at 6 to 8 L/min is the most effective way to deliver oxygen. This method ensures a high concentration of oxygen is delivered to the child, aiding in improving oxygen saturation levels. In this scenario, the mother can assist in holding the mask to maintain comfort and cooperation in the child while ensuring proper oxygen delivery.

5. 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.

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