A 3-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with severe dehydration. The healthcare provider prescribes an IV infusion of 0.9% normal saline. The nurse notes that the child's heart rate is 150 beats per minute, and the blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Administer the IV fluids as prescribed
- B. Notify the healthcare provider
- C. Check the child's urine output
- D. Reassess the child's vital signs in 30 minutes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In a pediatric patient with severe dehydration and signs of compromised hemodynamics such as tachycardia (heart rate of 150 bpm) and hypotension (blood pressure of 90/50 mm Hg), the priority intervention is to administer IV fluids as prescribed. Immediate fluid resuscitation is essential to restore hydration, improve perfusion, and stabilize the child's vital signs. While it's important to monitor urine output, initiating fluid resuscitation takes precedence in this situation. Notifying the healthcare provider can cause a delay in critical intervention, and waiting to reassess vital signs in 30 minutes can be detrimental in a child with severe dehydration and compromised hemodynamics.
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The healthcare provider is assessing an infant with pyloric stenosis. Which pathophysiological mechanism is the most likely consequence of this infant's clinical picture?
- A. Metabolic alkalosis.
- B. Respiratory acidosis.
- C. Metabolic acidosis.
- D. Respiratory alkalosis.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pyloric stenosis leads to obstruction at the outlet of the stomach, causing frequent vomiting and loss of stomach acids. This results in a loss of hydrochloric acid and hydrogen ions, leading to metabolic alkalosis due to an increase in serum bicarbonate levels. Therefore, the correct answer is metabolic alkalosis. Choice B, respiratory acidosis, is incorrect as it is not typically associated with pyloric stenosis. Choice C, metabolic acidosis, is incorrect because the loss of stomach acids in pyloric stenosis leads to metabolic alkalosis, not acidosis. Choice D, respiratory alkalosis, is also incorrect as it is not the usual consequence of pyloric stenosis.
A 2-year-old child with a history of frequent ear infections is brought to the clinic by the parents who are concerned about the child's hearing. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Ask the parents about the child's speech development
- B. Perform a hearing test
- C. Inspect the child's ears for drainage
- D. Refer the child to an audiologist
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The most appropriate initial action for the nurse to take is to inspect the child's ears for drainage. This step can provide immediate information on the presence of infection or fluid, which could be impacting the child's hearing. By assessing for drainage, the nurse can gather valuable initial data to determine the next course of action, such as further evaluation or treatment. Asking about speech development or referring to an audiologist would be secondary steps after assessing the physical condition of the ears. Performing a hearing test would also be premature without first examining the ears for any visible issues.
The parents of a 5-year-old child, recently diagnosed with celiac disease, are being educated by the healthcare provider. Which statement by the parents indicates a need for further teaching?
- A. We need to avoid giving our child any foods that contain wheat, barley, or rye
- B. Our child can still eat oats as long as they are labeled gluten-free
- C. We should read food labels carefully to check for hidden sources of gluten
- D. It's okay for our child to have small amounts of gluten occasionally
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Children with celiac disease must strictly adhere to a gluten-free diet. Even small amounts of gluten can cause harm by triggering an immune response that damages the intestines. It is crucial for parents to understand that allowing their child to have small amounts of gluten occasionally is not safe and can lead to complications. Therefore, further teaching is needed to emphasize the importance of complete avoidance of gluten-containing foods for a child with celiac disease. Choices A, B, and C demonstrate understanding of the need to avoid gluten-containing foods and hidden sources of gluten, which are essential in managing celiac disease. Choice D is incorrect as it suggests a lax approach to the child's diet, which can be harmful in the case of celiac disease.
The caregiver is providing discharge instructions to the parents of a 6-month-old infant who was hospitalized for bronchiolitis. Which statement by the parents indicates a correct understanding of the instructions?
- A. We should keep our baby away from people with colds
- B. We should continue giving the prescribed medication even if our baby seems better
- C. We should avoid giving solid foods to help with recovery
- D. We can place our baby to sleep on their back to help with breathing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Keeping the infant away from people with colds is crucial to prevent the spread of respiratory infections, especially for infants recently hospitalized with bronchiolitis. This precaution helps protect the baby from further illnesses and promotes recovery. The other choices are incorrect because it is important to complete the prescribed medication course even if the baby seems better to ensure the infection is fully treated (Choice B). Solid foods are usually introduced around six months of age, so avoiding them entirely may not be necessary (Choice C). Placing the baby to sleep on their back is a safe sleep practice to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) but may not directly help with breathing in the context of bronchiolitis (Choice D).
Prior to discharge, the parents of a child with cystic fibrosis are demonstrating chest physiotherapy (CPT) that they will perform for their child at home. Which action requires intervention by the nurse?
- A. Plan to perform CPT when the child awakens in the morning.
- B. A cupped hand is used when percussing the lung field.
- C. A bronchodilator is administered before starting CPT.
- D. The child is placed in a supine position to begin percussion.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Placing the child in a supine position to begin percussion is incorrect for chest physiotherapy (CPT). This position is not effective for CPT as it may lead to improper drainage of secretions. The child should be in an appropriate sitting or slightly reclined position to ensure proper lung drainage during CPT. Choices A, B, and C are all appropriate actions for chest physiotherapy. Performing CPT when the child awakens helps in clearing secretions, using a cupped hand during percussion is a proper technique to promote secretion movement, and administering a bronchodilator before CPT can help open up the airways for better clearance.