A 13-year-old client with type 1 diabetes is admitted to the hospital with a blood glucose level of 450 mg/dL. The client is lethargic and has fruity-smelling breath. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Administer insulin as prescribed
- B. Start an IV infusion of normal saline
- C. Check the client's urine for ketones
- D. Monitor the client's vital signs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct priority action for the nurse is to start an IV infusion of normal saline. The client's presentation with lethargy, fruity-smelling breath, and high blood glucose level indicates diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). IV fluids are essential to correct dehydration and help stabilize the client's condition. Checking for ketones in the urine is important, but fluid replacement takes precedence to address the immediate risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Administering insulin is also a crucial intervention for DKA, but fluid resuscitation should first be initiated.
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A child who weighs 25 kg is receiving IV ampicillin at a dose of 300 mg/kg/24 hours in equally divided doses every 4 hours. How many milligrams should the nurse administer to the child for each dose?
- A. 1875 mg
- B. 625 mg
- C. 2000 mg
- D. 1500 mg
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: To calculate the correct dose for each administration, you first need to find the total daily dose: 300 mg/kg * 25 kg = 7500 mg/day. Since this total dose is divided into equally divided doses every 4 hours, there are 6 doses in 24 hours. Therefore, 7500 mg · 6 doses = 1250 mg per dose. The nurse should administer 1250 mg every 4 hours, resulting in a total of 1875 mg for each dose in a 24-hour period. Choice A, 1875 mg, is the correct answer. Choice B, 625 mg, is incorrect as it does not consider the total daily dose and the frequency of administration. Choice C, 2000 mg, is incorrect as it is not the calculated dosage based on the given parameters. Choice D, 1500 mg, is also incorrect as it does not reflect the correct dosage calculation for each dose.
The nurse is caring for a 2-year-old child who was admitted for dehydration due to gastroenteritis. The child is now receiving IV fluids and appears more alert. What is the best indicator that the child's condition is improving?
- A. The child is more alert and playful
- B. The child's urine output has increased
- C. The child's vital signs are stable
- D. The child is tolerating small amounts of oral fluids
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Increased urine output is a reliable indicator that hydration status is improving. While alertness and playfulness are positive signs, increased urine output directly reflects improved hydration. Stable vital signs are important but may not directly indicate hydration status. Tolerating small amounts of oral fluids is a good sign but may not be as direct an indicator as increased urine output.
The nurse is caring for a 3-year-old child who has been recently diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Which discharge instruction by the nurse is most important to promote pulmonary function?
- A. Chest physiotherapy should be performed before meals and at bedtime
- B. Cough suppressants can be used up to four times a day for relief
- C. Oxygen should be given through a nasal cannula between 4-6 L/min
- D. Exercise is discouraged in order to preserve pulmonary vital capacity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In cystic fibrosis, thick mucus obstructs the airways, making it difficult to clear from the lungs. Cough suppressants can help reduce the discomfort associated with persistent coughing, allowing the child to cough more effectively to clear the mucus, thus promoting pulmonary function. Chest physiotherapy, not exercise, helps mobilize the mucus. Oxygen therapy may be needed but is not the most important for promoting pulmonary function in this case.
What information should a nurse discuss with the mother of a 2-year-old girl who is drinking sweetened soda from her bottle?
- A. Encouraging 2-word phrases in speech development for a 2-year-old
- B. Explaining the association between drinking soda and dental caries
- C. Discussing the link between drinking soda and childhood obesity
- D. Emphasizing the importance of toddlers sleeping 10 hours a night
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
A 9-year-old child with a history of type 1 diabetes is brought to the clinic for a check-up. The nurse notes that the child's hemoglobin A1c is 8.5%. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?
- A. Increase the child's insulin dose
- B. Review the child's dietary habits and insulin administration technique
- C. Discuss the possibility of switching to oral hypoglycemics
- D. Schedule a follow-up appointment in three months
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A hemoglobin A1c of 8.5% indicates suboptimal diabetes control. The most appropriate action for the nurse in this scenario is to review the child's dietary habits and insulin administration technique. This approach can help identify potential areas for improvement and optimize diabetes management, aiming to lower the hemoglobin A1c levels towards the target range. Increasing the child's insulin dose (Choice A) without addressing dietary habits and administration technique may not lead to better control and can increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Switching to oral hypoglycemics (Choice C) is not appropriate for type 1 diabetes management. Scheduling a follow-up appointment in three months (Choice D) without intervening to improve diabetes control is not the best immediate action.