What is the most appropriate action for a healthcare provider if a child presents with suspected meningitis?
- A. Administer antibiotics immediately
- B. Perform a lumbar puncture
- C. Isolate the child
- D. Obtain a complete blood count
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Isolating the child is a priority to prevent the spread of infection until meningitis is confirmed or ruled out. Meningitis, particularly bacterial, is highly contagious and can lead to outbreaks if not properly managed. Isolation and prompt treatment are critical in preventing serious complications. Administering antibiotics immediately without confirmation of the diagnosis can be harmful if the cause is viral or non-infectious. Performing a lumbar puncture is a diagnostic procedure that should be done by a healthcare provider but is not the initial action when suspecting meningitis. Obtaining a complete blood count may be part of the diagnostic workup but is not the most appropriate initial action in suspected meningitis.
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What information should the nurse include when teaching an adolescent with Crohn disease (CD)?
- A. How to cope with stress and adjust to chronic illness
- B. Preparation for surgical treatment and cure of CD
- C. Nutritional guidance and prevention of constipation
- D. Prevention of spread of illness to others and principles of high-fiber diet
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Teaching about coping with stress and adjusting to chronic illness is crucial for adolescents with Crohn disease. CD is a chronic condition with no cure, so focusing on managing the disease, stress, and diet is essential for improving the adolescent's quality of life. Choice B is incorrect because Crohn disease cannot be cured surgically. Choice C is relevant but not as essential as coping with stress and chronic illness. Choice D is not a priority in teaching an adolescent with Crohn disease as it mainly focuses on preventing the spread of illness to others, which is not a significant concern with CD, and high-fiber diets may not always be suitable for individuals with this condition.
What should the healthcare provider consider when providing support to a family whose infant has just been diagnosed with biliary atresia?
- A. The prognosis for full recovery is excellent.
- B. Death usually occurs by 6 months of age.
- C. Liver transplantation may be needed eventually.
- D. Children with surgical correction live normal lives.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When supporting a family whose infant has been diagnosed with biliary atresia, it is important to consider that liver transplantation may be needed eventually. Biliary atresia is a serious condition where bile flow from the liver to the gallbladder is blocked or absent. While surgical interventions like the Kasai procedure can temporarily improve bile flow and delay the need for transplantation, the long-term survival often depends on liver transplantation as the child grows older. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the prognosis for full recovery is not excellent as biliary atresia is a chronic condition that often requires ongoing medical management, death usually does not occur by 6 months of age but the condition does require intervention, and not all children with surgical correction can live normal lives without the need for further interventions like transplantation.
What is an important priority in dealing with the child suspected of having Wilms tumor?
- A. Intervening to minimize bleeding
- B. Monitoring temperature for infection
- C. Ensuring the abdomen is protected from palpation
- D. Teaching parents how to manage parenteral nutrition
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct priority in dealing with a child suspected of having Wilms tumor is ensuring the abdomen is protected from palpation. Palpating the abdomen could lead to tumor dissemination, which is crucial to prevent the spread of cancerous cells. Intervening to minimize bleeding, monitoring temperature for infection, and teaching parents how to manage parenteral nutrition are not the immediate priorities in suspected cases of Wilms tumor.
What is the purpose of using cimetidine (Tagamet) for gastroesophageal reflux?
- A. The medication reduces gastric acid secretion.
- B. The medication neutralizes the acid in the stomach.
- C. The medication increases the rate of gastric emptying time.
- D. The medication coats the lining of the stomach and esophagus.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Cimetidine (Tagamet) is an H2 receptor antagonist that works by reducing gastric acid secretion. This action helps to decrease the acidity in the stomach, which in turn reduces the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. Choice B is incorrect because cimetidine does not neutralize acid but rather decreases its production. Choice C is incorrect as cimetidine does not affect the rate of gastric emptying time. Choice D is incorrect as cimetidine does not coat the lining of the stomach and esophagus but instead works to reduce gastric acid secretion.
What is the primary treatment goal for a child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis?
- A. Pain management
- B. Cure of the disease
- C. Reduction of joint deformity
- D. Physical therapy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The primary treatment goal for a child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis is pain management. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a chronic condition with no known cure, making pain management crucial to improve the quality of life for these children. While reducing joint deformity and physical therapy are important aspects of managing the condition, the primary focus is on alleviating pain and improving function.