A 2-week-old infant is admitted with a tentative diagnosis of a ventricular septal defect. The parents report that their baby has had difficulty feeding since coming home after birth. What should the nurse consider before responding?
- A. Feeding problems are common in neonates.
- B. Inadequate sucking is not significant unless cyanosis is present.
- C. Ineffective sucking and swallowing may be early indications of a heart defect.
- D. Many neonates retain mucus, which can interfere with feeding for several weeks.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ineffective sucking and swallowing can be early signs of a heart defect like a ventricular septal defect. This is crucial information for the nurse to consider as it aligns with the infant's tentative diagnosis. Choice A is too general and does not provide specific relevance to the situation. Choice B is incorrect as inadequate sucking can indeed be significant, especially in the context of a potential heart defect. Choice D is not directly related to the potential heart defect and feeding difficulties mentioned in the scenario.
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After undergoing surgery using steel bar placement to correct pectus excavatum, what position should the nurse instruct the parents to avoid for the child?
- A. Semi-Fowler position.
- B. Supine position.
- C. High Fowler position.
- D. Side-lying position.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: After undergoing surgery for pectus excavatum correction with steel bar placement, the nurse should instruct the parents to avoid placing the child in a side-lying position. This position should be avoided to prevent displacement of the steel bar, which could compromise the surgical outcome. Semi-Fowler, supine, and high Fowler positions do not pose the same risk of displacing the steel bar and are generally safe and comfortable for the child in this postoperative period.
When teaching a class about trisomy 21, the instructor would identify the cause of this disorder as:
- A. nondisjunction.
- B. X-linked recessive inheritance.
- C. genomic imprinting.
- D. autosomal dominant inheritance.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: nondisjunction. Trisomy 21, also known as Down syndrome, is caused by nondisjunction, which is an error in cell division leading to an extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. X-linked recessive inheritance refers to genetic disorders carried on the X chromosome, genomic imprinting involves gene expression based on parental origin, and autosomal dominant inheritance relates to disorders caused by a dominant gene on one of the non-sex chromosomes. In the case of trisomy 21, the cause is specifically related to the error in chromosome division, making nondisjunction the most appropriate answer.
The nurse is conducting a physical examination of a 9-month-old baby with a flat, discolored area on the skin. The nurse documents this as a:
- A. Papule
- B. Macule
- C. Vesicle
- D. Scale
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A macule is defined as a flat, discolored area on the skin that is different from surrounding tissue due to a change in color. In this case, the baby has a flat, discolored area on the skin, which fits the description of a macule. A papule is a small, raised solid bump, a vesicle is a small fluid-filled blister, and a scale is a flake of skin that is often dry and rough. Therefore, choices A, C, and D do not accurately describe the flat, discolored area on the baby's skin, making them incorrect.
The nurse is developing a plan of care for a 7-year-old boy with diabetes insipidus. What is the priority nursing diagnosis?
- A. Deficient fluid volume related to dehydration
- B. Excess fluid volume related to edema
- C. Deficient knowledge related to fluid intake regimen
- D. Imbalanced nutrition related to excess weight
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The priority nursing diagnosis for a 7-year-old boy with diabetes insipidus is deficient fluid volume related to dehydration. Diabetes insipidus causes excessive thirst and urination, leading to fluid imbalance and potential dehydration. Choice B, excess fluid volume related to edema, is not a priority as diabetes insipidus is characterized by fluid loss, not retention. Choice C, deficient knowledge related to fluid intake regimen, may be important but is not the priority when the child is at risk of dehydration. Choice D, imbalanced nutrition related to excess weight, is not directly associated with the primary concern of fluid volume imbalance in diabetes insipidus.
A child with a diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome is being discharged. What dietary instructions should the nurse provide?
- A. Encourage a high-protein diet
- B. Avoid foods high in salt
- C. Encourage a low-sodium diet
- D. Encourage a low-protein diet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For a child with nephrotic syndrome, it is crucial to avoid foods high in salt to manage symptoms and prevent complications. Excessive salt intake can lead to fluid retention and exacerbate edema, which are common issues in nephrotic syndrome. Encouraging a high-protein diet (Choice A) may put additional strain on the kidneys and worsen the condition. While protein restriction is sometimes needed, it is not the primary dietary concern in nephrotic syndrome. Similarly, a low-protein diet (Choice D) is not typically recommended as it may lead to malnutrition in children. Although a low-sodium diet (Choice C) may sound similar to avoiding foods high in salt, the emphasis should be on reducing salt intake specifically, rather than a generalized low-sodium approach.