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The mother of a child with hepatitis A tells the home care nurse that she is concerned because the child's jaundice seems worse. What is the nurse's best response?
- A. You need to change the child's diet.
- B. The child probably is infectious again.
- C. The jaundice may worsen before it resolves.
- D. You need to call the primary health care provider.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best response for the nurse in this situation is to explain to the mother that jaundice may seem to worsen before it eventually gets better. This is a common occurrence in hepatitis A. Option A about changing the child's diet is irrelevant to the concern raised by the mother and not supported by evidence. Option B suggesting the child is infectious again is incorrect and may cause unnecessary alarm as jaundice does not indicate reinfection. Option D, advising the mother to call the primary health care provider, is premature as the nurse can first provide education and reassurance regarding the expected course of jaundice in hepatitis A.
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The nurse is caring for a newborn infant after surgical intervention for imperforate anus. The nurse should place the infant in which position in the postoperative period?
- A. Supine with no head elevation
- B. Side-lying with the legs flexed
- C. Side-lying with the legs extended
- D. Supine with the head elevated 30 degrees
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After surgical intervention for imperforate anus, the infant should be placed in a side-lying position with the legs flexed. This position helps reduce edema and pressure on the surgical site, preventing strain and promoting comfort. Placing the infant supine with no head elevation (Choice A) doesn't offer adequate support and may increase pressure on the area. Side-lying with the legs extended (Choice C) doesn't help reduce edema and pressure effectively. Placing the infant supine with the head elevated 30 degrees (Choice D) isn't recommended as it may not provide adequate support and comfort needed for recovery.
A 15-year-old female who ingested 15 tablets of maximum strength acetaminophen 45
minutes ago is rushed to the emergency department. Which of these orders should the
nurse do first?
- A. Gastric lavage
- B. Administer acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) orally
- C. Start an IV Dextrose 5% with 0.33% normal saline to keep the vein open
- D. Have the patient drink activated charcoal mixed with water
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Acetaminophen overdose is extremely toxic to the liver causing
hepatotoxicity. Early symptoms of hepatic damage include nausea, vomiting,
abdominal pain, and diarrhea. If not treated immediately, hepatic necrosis occurs
and may lead to death. Removing as much of the drug as possible is the first step in
treatment for acetaminophen overdose, this is best done through gastric lavage.
Gastric lavage (irrigation) and aspiration consist of flushing the stomach with fluids
and then aspirating the fluid back out. This procedure is done in life-threatening
cases such as acetaminophen toxicity and only if less than one (1) hour has
occurred after ingestion.
In a 24-year-old woman, the term used to define uterine bleeding in which there is no menstruation is:
- A. Oligomenorrhea
- B. Amenorrhea
- C. Menorrhagia
- D. Metrorrhagia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Amenorrhea is the correct term for the absence of menstrual periods in a woman of childbearing age. It is typically defined as no menstruation for at least three consecutive cycles or six months. Oligomenorrhea refers to infrequent or irregular menstrual periods rather than complete absence. Menorrhagia is characterized by excessive menstrual bleeding, not the absence of menstruation. Metrorrhagia involves irregular, acyclic bleeding between menstrual periods, which is different from the absence of menstruation.
A 3-year-old child was brought to the pediatric clinic after the sudden onset of findings that include irritability, thick muffled voice, croaking on inspiration, being hot to the touch, sitting leaning forward, tongue protruding, drooling, and suprasternal retractions. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Prepare the child for an X-ray of the upper airways
- B. Examine the child's throat
- C. Collect a sputum specimen
- D. Notify the healthcare provider of the child's status
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct initial action is to notify the healthcare provider of the child's status. The presenting symptoms described, such as irritability, thick muffled voice, croaking on inspiration, being hot to the touch, sitting leaning forward, tongue protruding, drooling, and suprasternal retractions, are indicative of epiglottitis, a potentially life-threatening condition. Immediate medical attention is crucial in such cases. While preparing for an X-ray or examining the throat may be necessary, the priority is to ensure prompt evaluation and intervention by the healthcare provider. Collecting a sputum specimen is not relevant in this situation and would cause unnecessary delay. Therefore, the nurse should prioritize communication with the healthcare provider to expedite appropriate management and treatment.
You have accompanied the physician into the family waiting room to tell a young husband that his wife has not survived the car accident she was in. The husband is crying and distraught. What is the most appropriate approach to supporting this family member?
- A. Ask if he would like to donate his wife's organs
- B. Sit quietly with him
- C. Ask about funeral arrangements
- D. Consult social services
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most caring and supportive approach in a time of extreme distress is usually to sit quietly with the distressed individual until they have had the opportunity to absorb the news and gather themselves. Providing a supportive presence is often the most valuable tool a caregiver can use when circumstances bring overwhelming emotional pain to those they are caring for. Asking about organ donation at this moment may come off as insensitive and should not be a priority. Inquiring about funeral arrangements and consulting social services can be addressed later, once the husband has had time to process the initial shock and emotions.