A 7-year-old child with a history of asthma presents to the clinic with shortness of breath and wheezing. The nurse notes that the child's peak flow reading is in the red zone. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Administer a bronchodilator
- B. Reassess the peak flow reading
- C. Notify the healthcare provider
- D. Provide oxygen therapy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When a child with asthma presents with shortness of breath and wheezing, and the peak flow reading is in the red zone, indicating severe airflow limitation, the priority intervention is to administer a bronchodilator. Bronchodilators help dilate the airways quickly, improving airflow and assisting with breathing. Reassessing the peak flow reading, notifying the healthcare provider, and providing oxygen therapy may be necessary actions but administering a bronchodilator takes precedence in managing acute asthma exacerbation.
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A 4-month-old girl is brought to the clinic by her mother because she has had a cold for 2 or 3 days and woke up this morning with a hacking cough and difficulty breathing. Which additional assessment finding should alert the nurse that the child is in acute respiratory distress?
- A. Bilateral bronchial breath sounds.
- B. Diaphragmatic respiration.
- C. A resting respiratory rate of 35 breaths per minute.
- D. Flaring of the nares.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Flaring of the nares is a classic sign of acute respiratory distress in infants. It indicates increased work of breathing and is a visible cue that the child is struggling to breathe. This finding should alert healthcare providers to the severity of the respiratory distress and the need for prompt intervention to support the child's breathing.
The mother of a one-month-old calls the clinic to report that the back of her infant's head is flat. How should the nurse respond?
- A. Turn the infant on the left side braced against the crib when sleeping.
- B. Prop the infant in a sitting position with a cushion when not sleeping.
- C. Place a small pillow under the infant's head while lying on the back.
- D. Position the infant on the stomach occasionally when awake and active.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
A 7-year-old child with type 1 diabetes is brought to the emergency department with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The nurse notes that the child's blood glucose level is 350 mg/dL. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Administer IV fluids as prescribed
- B. Administer insulin as prescribed
- C. Monitor the child's urine output
- D. Check the child's urine for ketones
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In a child with type 1 diabetes presenting with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and a high blood glucose level, the priority is to administer IV fluids to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which are crucial in managing diabetic ketoacidosis. Administering insulin without addressing fluid deficits can lead to further complications. Monitoring urine output and checking for ketones are important steps but providing IV fluids takes precedence in the initial management of this child's condition.
An adolescent female who comes to the school clinic is reluctant to confide her concerns to the practical nurse (PN). The PN tells the teen that confidentiality and privacy are maintained unless a life-threatening situation arises. Which principle supports the PN's response?
- A. The adolescent should be encouraged to seek help outside of the school clinic.
- B. Disclosures from the adolescent should be kept confidential.
- C. Honest information ensures establishing a trusting relationship.
- D. Minor adolescents should not be encouraged to disclose private concerns.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct principle supporting the practical nurse's response is that honest information ensures establishing a trusting relationship. By assuring confidentiality and privacy to the adolescent unless there is a life-threatening situation, the practical nurse fosters an environment where the teen feels safe to share their concerns openly. This approach helps build trust, encouraging effective communication and support for the adolescent's well-being.
When teaching parents of a 5-year-old child with sickle cell anemia about pain management, what information should be included?
- A. Apply cold compresses to painful areas.
- B. Encourage the child to rest as much as possible.
- C. Administer prescribed pain medication at the first sign of pain.
- D. Offer a high-protein diet to help with pain management.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Administering prescribed pain medication at the first sign of pain is crucial in managing sickle cell anemia-related pain effectively. Prompt administration helps prevent the pain from escalating and becoming severe, enhancing the child's comfort and quality of life. Cold compresses, rest, and diet modifications may play supportive roles but are not as directly impactful in addressing acute pain episodes associated with sickle cell anemia.