Nokea
A 7-year-old child has an altered mental status, high fever, and a generalized rash. You perform your assessment and initiate oxygen therapy. En route to the hospital, you should be most alert for
- A. vomiting
- B. seizures
- C. combativeness
- D. respiratory distress
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Seizures are a common complication in children with high fever and altered mental status, indicating a risk of febrile seizures. While vomiting can occur with altered mental status, seizures are of higher concern due to the association with febrile illnesses in children. Combativeness may be a concern in some altered mental status cases but is not as common as seizures. Respiratory distress, although important, is not the primary concern in this scenario given the symptoms presented.
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The parents of a 1-month-old girl with Down syndrome are being taught by the nurse on how to maintain the child's good health. Which instruction would the nurse be least likely to include?
- A. Getting cervical radiographs between 3 and 5 years of age
- B. Adhering to the special dietary needs of the child
- C. Getting an echocardiogram before 3 months of age
- D. Monitoring for symptoms of respiratory infection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. While special dietary needs may be important, they are not typically a primary concern for a 1-month-old with Down syndrome compared to monitoring for congenital issues. Getting cervical radiographs, an echocardiogram, and monitoring for respiratory infections are more crucial in the early care of a child with Down syndrome. Cervical radiographs help in assessing for atlantoaxial instability, an echocardiogram is important for detecting congenital heart defects common in Down syndrome, and monitoring for respiratory infections is vital due to the increased risk in these children.
A 7-year-old child has an altered mental status, high fever, and a generalized rash. You perform your assessment and initiate oxygen therapy. En route to the hospital, you should be most alert for:
- A. vomiting
- B. seizures
- C. combativeness
- D. respiratory distress
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In a pediatric patient presenting with altered mental status, high fever, and a generalized rash, seizures are a significant concern. Febrile seizures can occur in children with high fevers and may lead to further complications. It is crucial to monitor for seizures and be prepared to manage them promptly. Vomiting, combativeness, and respiratory distress are also important considerations in pediatric patients; however, given the clinical presentation described, seizures take priority as they are a common complication in this scenario.
What explanation should the nurse give a parent about the purpose of a tetanus toxoid injection for their child?
- A. Passive immunity is conferred temporarily.
- B. Long-lasting active immunity is conferred.
- C. Lifelong active natural immunity is conferred.
- D. Passive natural immunity is conferred temporarily.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Long-lasting active immunity is conferred. Tetanus toxoid injection works by stimulating the child's body to produce its antibodies, providing long-lasting active immunity. Choice A is incorrect because passive immunity is not conferred for life; it is temporary and involves receiving antibodies rather than producing them internally. Choice C is incorrect as the immunity conferred by the tetanus toxoid injection is not lifelong natural immunity but rather active immunity stimulated by the body's immune response. Choice D is also incorrect since passive natural immunity is not conferred by the tetanus toxoid injection, and it is not temporary.
What should the nurse recommend to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in a 6-month-old infant?
- A. Place the infant on their back to sleep
- B. Use a pacifier during sleep
- C. Have the infant sleep on their side
- D. Keep the infant's room cool
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Placing the infant on their back to sleep is the correct recommendation to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This sleep position has been shown to significantly decrease the incidence of SIDS. Using a pacifier during sleep (Choice B) can also help reduce the risk, but it is secondary to the back sleeping position. Having the infant sleep on their side (Choice C) is not recommended, as it increases the risk of SIDS. Keeping the infant's room cool (Choice D) may provide a comfortable sleeping environment but does not directly reduce the risk of SIDS.
What is an important nursing responsibility when a dysrhythmia is suspected?
- A. order an immediate electrocardiogram
- B. count the radial pulse every 1 minute for five times
- C. count the apical pulse for 1 full minute, and compare the rate with the radial pulse rate
- D. have someone else take the radial pulse simultaneously with the apical pulse
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When a dysrhythmia is suspected, an important nursing responsibility is to count the apical pulse for 1 full minute and then compare this rate with the radial pulse rate. This method helps in identifying dysrhythmias as it allows for a direct comparison of the heart's rhythm at two different pulse points. Ordering an immediate electrocardiogram (Choice A) may be necessary but should not be the first step. Counting the radial pulse multiple times (Choice B) is not as accurate as comparing rates directly. Having someone else take the radial pulse simultaneously (Choice D) may introduce errors and inconsistencies in the measurement.