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 caused by decreased acid metabolites production
- B. respiratory alkalosis caused by decreased respiratory rate and carbon dioxide retention
- C. respiratory acidosis caused by impaired respirations and increased carbonic acid formation
- D. metabolic acidosis caused by the kidneys' inability to compensate for increased carbonic acid production
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a severe asthma attack, the child is likely to develop respiratory acidosis due to impaired respirations leading to the retention of carbon dioxide, which combines with water to form carbonic acid. This results in the pH imbalance characterized by an excess of carbonic acid. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Metabolic alkalosis (Choice A) is not typically associated with severe asthma attacks; respiratory alkalosis (Choice B) would involve a decrease, not an increase, in carbon dioxide levels; and metabolic acidosis (Choice D) is not the primary acid-base imbalance seen in severe asthma attacks.
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The nurse is obtaining a health history from parents of a 4-month-old boy with congenital hypothyroidism. What would the nurse most likely assess?
- A. The child's growth is above normal for his age.
- B. The child is active and playful.
- C. The skin appears pink and healthy.
- D. It is difficult to keep the child awake.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Congenital hypothyroidism in infants often leads to lethargy and difficulty staying awake due to low thyroid hormone levels. Assessing the child's ability to stay awake is crucial in identifying signs of hypothyroidism. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because above-normal growth, being active and playful, and having healthy-looking skin are not typical manifestations of congenital hypothyroidism. Instead, infants with hypothyroidism may exhibit poor weight gain, decreased activity, and dry, pale skin.
A nurse is assessing a child with suspected rheumatic fever. What clinical manifestation is the nurse likely to observe?
- A. Jaundice
- B. Peeling skin on the hands and feet
- C. High fever
- D. Severe joint pain
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, severe joint pain. Rheumatic fever commonly presents with severe joint pain due to joint inflammation. Jaundice (choice A) is not typically associated with rheumatic fever. Peeling skin on the hands and feet (choice B) is more indicative of conditions like Kawasaki disease. While a high fever (choice C) can be present, it is not as specific to rheumatic fever as severe joint pain. Severe joint pain, along with other criteria like carditis, subcutaneous nodules, erythema marginatum, and Sydenham chorea, are major criteria used in the diagnosis of rheumatic fever.
A child with a diagnosis of leukemia is receiving chemotherapy. What is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. Monitoring for signs of infection
- B. Providing nutritional support
- C. Monitoring for signs of bleeding
- D. Monitoring for signs of pain
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a child with leukemia receiving chemotherapy is monitoring for signs of infection. Chemotherapy can suppress the immune system, increasing the risk of infections. Detecting and managing infections promptly is crucial to prevent complications and improve outcomes. Providing nutritional support is important, but infection prevention takes precedence due to the immediate threat it poses to the child's health. Monitoring for signs of bleeding is relevant in leukemia due to decreased platelet count, but infection surveillance is more critical. Monitoring for signs of pain is essential, but addressing infections promptly is the priority to prevent further deterioration in the child's condition.
What complication of mumps is crucial for adolescents to prevent?
- A. Sterility
- B. Hypopituitarism
- C. Decreased libido
- D. Decreased androgens
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Sterility. Mumps can lead to sterility, particularly in adolescent males, highlighting the significance of vaccination to prevent this serious complication. While hypopituitarism (choice B) can be a potential complication of mumps, it is not as crucial to prevent in adolescents compared to the risk of sterility. Choices C and D, Decreased libido and Decreased androgens, are not direct complications of mumps and are not the primary concerns for adolescents in relation to mumps prevention.
The nurse is assessing a child with a possible fracture. What would the nurse identify as the most reliable indicator?
- A. Lack of spontaneous movement
- B. Point tenderness
- C. Bruising
- D. Inability to bear weight
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Point tenderness is the most reliable indicator of a possible fracture in a child. It is a localized tenderness experienced when pressure is applied to a specific area, suggesting a potential fracture. This tenderness is considered more specific to a fracture than other symptoms such as lack of spontaneous movement, bruising, or inability to bear weight. Lack of spontaneous movement and inability to bear weight can be present in various musculoskeletal injuries, while bruising may not always be immediate or specific to a fracture.