A 4-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of epiglottitis. What is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. Administer antibiotics
- B. Provide humidified oxygen
- C. Keep the child NPO
- D. Position the child upright
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a 4-year-old child admitted to the hospital with epiglottitis is to keep the child NPO (nothing by mouth). Epiglottitis is a serious condition that can lead to airway obstruction. Keeping the child NPO helps prevent further compromise of the airway and reduces the risk of aspiration. Administering antibiotics may be necessary but ensuring the airway is not compromised takes precedence. Providing humidified oxygen is important for respiratory support, but not the priority over maintaining a patent airway. Positioning the child upright can help with breathing and comfort, but it does not directly address the immediate risk of airway compromise associated with epiglottitis.
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When caring for a neonate with a suspected tracheoesophageal fistula, what nursing care should be included?
- A. Elevating the head but giving nothing by mouth
- B. Elevating the head for feedings
- C. Feeding glucose water only
- D. Avoiding suctioning unless the infant is cyanotic
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In a neonate with a suspected tracheoesophageal fistula, elevating the head but giving nothing by mouth is crucial to prevent aspiration. Placing the neonate in a semi-upright position helps reduce the risk of reflux and aspiration of gastric contents into the lungs. Elevating the head for feedings (Choice B) would still pose a risk of aspiration as the neonate may aspirate during feeding. Feeding glucose water only (Choice C) is not appropriate and does not address the risk of aspiration associated with a tracheoesophageal fistula. Avoiding suctioning unless the infant is cyanotic (Choice D) is incorrect because suctioning may be necessary for maintaining airway patency, regardless of cyanosis, in a neonate with a suspected tracheoesophageal fistula.
A child has been admitted to the pediatric unit with a severe asthma attack. What type of acid-base imbalance should the nurse expect the child to develop?
- A. metabolic alkalosis due to insufficient production of acid metabolites
- B. respiratory alkalosis due to depressed respirations and retention of carbon dioxide
- C. respiratory acidosis due to impaired respirations and increased formation of carbonic acid
- D. metabolic acidosis due to the kidneys' inability to compensate for decreased carbonic acid formation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a severe asthma attack, the child is likely to develop respiratory acidosis. This occurs due to impaired respirations, leading to the retention of carbon dioxide and the formation of carbonic acid. Choice A is incorrect as metabolic alkalosis is not expected in this situation. Choice B is incorrect as respiratory alkalosis does not align with the scenario of impaired respirations in severe asthma attacks. Choice D is also incorrect as it describes metabolic acidosis, which is not typically associated with severe asthma attacks.
During a clinical conference with a group of nursing students, the instructor is describing burn classification. The instructor determines that the teaching has been successful when the group identifies what as characteristic of full-thickness burns?
- A. Skin that is reddened, dry, and slightly swollen
- B. Skin appearing wet with significant pain
- C. Skin with blistering and swelling
- D. Skin that is leathery and dry with some numbness
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Full-thickness burns are characterized by a leathery, dry appearance with numbness due to nerve damage. Choice A describes characteristics of superficial burns, which are not full-thickness. Choice B describes characteristics of partial-thickness burns with intact blisters, not full-thickness burns. Choice C describes characteristics of partial-thickness burns with blistering and swelling, not full-thickness burns.
After a child has just returned from surgery for a tracheostomy, what is the priority nursing action?
- A. Suctioning the tracheostomy tube
- B. Changing the tracheostomy dressing
- C. Monitoring respiratory status
- D. Ensuring the tracheostomy ties are secure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The priority nursing action after a child has undergone tracheostomy surgery is to suction the tracheostomy tube. Suctioning is crucial to maintain a clear airway, remove secretions, and prevent potential airway obstruction, which is essential for the child's respiratory function. Changing the tracheostomy dressing, while important for wound care, does not take precedence over airway clearance. Monitoring respiratory status is vital but comes after ensuring airway patency. Ensuring tracheostomy ties are secure is significant for stabilizing the tube but is not as urgent as maintaining a patent airway through suctioning.
A 4-year-old child is admitted with a diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia. What is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. Administering antipyretics
- B. Administering antibiotics
- C. Monitoring fluid intake
- D. Providing nutritional support
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority nursing intervention in a 4-year-old child admitted with bacterial pneumonia is administering antibiotics. Antibiotics are crucial for treating the infection and preventing potential complications. Administering antipyretics (Choice A) may help reduce fever, but addressing the underlying infection with antibiotics is the priority. Monitoring fluid intake (Choice C) is important for hydration but does not take precedence over administering antibiotics. Providing nutritional support (Choice D) is essential for overall care but is not the immediate priority when managing bacterial pneumonia.