A child with a diagnosis of appendicitis is scheduled for surgery. What preoperative intervention is important for the nurse to perform?
- A. Administering antibiotics
- B. Maintaining strict NPO status
- C. Encouraging fluid intake
- D. Monitoring for signs of infection
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct preoperative intervention for a child with appendicitis scheduled for surgery is to monitor for signs of infection. This is crucial to ensure that any potential infections are promptly identified and managed before surgery. Administering antibiotics, maintaining strict NPO status, and encouraging fluid intake are important interventions in various clinical situations but are not the priority in this scenario. Administering antibiotics may be part of the treatment plan but is typically prescribed by a physician. Maintaining NPO status is important to prevent complications related to anesthesia but may not directly address the specific needs of a child with appendicitis. Encouraging fluid intake is generally beneficial for hydration but may not be the primary concern before surgery for appendicitis.
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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.
During the second week of hospitalization for intravenous antibiotic therapy, a 2-year-old toddler whose family is unable to visit often smiles easily, goes to all the nurses happily, and does not express interest in the parent when the parent does visit. The parent tells the nurse, 'I am pleased about the adjustment but somewhat concerned about my child's reaction to me.' How should the nurse respond?
- A. The child is repressing feelings towards the parent.
- B. Routines have been established, and the child feels safe.
- C. The child has given up fighting and accepts the separation.
- D. Behavior has improved because the child feels better physically.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The child's behavior of smiling easily, interacting happily with nurses, and showing disinterest in the parent when they visit indicates that the child has emotionally withdrawn and accepted the separation. This response suggests that the child may have given up fighting against the separation from the parent due to prolonged hospitalization. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Choice A about the child repressing feelings towards the parent is not supported by the scenario. Choice B about routines and feeling safe does not address the emotional aspect of the child's behavior. Choice D about improved behavior due to feeling better physically does not explain the emotional dynamics at play in the child's behavior.
A 4-year-old child is brought to the emergency department with a suspected fracture. What is the priority nursing action?
- A. Immobilize the affected limb
- B. Apply ice to the affected area
- C. Elevate the affected limb
- D. Check the child's neurovascular status
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The priority nursing action when a child with a suspected fracture is brought to the emergency department is to immobilize the affected limb. Immobilization helps prevent further injury until a fracture is confirmed or ruled out. Applying ice or elevating the limb can wait until after immobilization has been achieved. Checking the child's neurovascular status is important but is not the priority action in this situation.
Upon assessing a newborn immediately after delivery, you note that the infant is breathing spontaneously and has a heart rate of 90 beats/min. What is the most appropriate initial management for this newborn?
- A. Begin positive pressure ventilations
- B. Provide blow-by oxygen with oxygen tubing
- C. Assess the newborn's skin condition and color
- D. Start chest compressions and contact medical control
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In a newborn, a heart rate below 100 beats/min indicates the need for positive pressure ventilation to improve oxygenation. Providing blow-by oxygen or assessing skin condition/color may not address the primary issue of inadequate oxygenation due to the low heart rate. Starting chest compressions and contacting medical control is not warranted as the newborn is breathing spontaneously and only has a slightly low heart rate, which can be managed initially with positive pressure ventilations.
The nurse notes that a child has lost 8 pounds after 4 days of hospitalization for acute glomerulonephritis. This is most likely the result of
- A. poor appetite
- B. increased potassium intake
- C. reduction of edema
- D. restriction to bed rest
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: reduction of edema. In acute glomerulonephritis, weight loss is often a result of the reduction of edema. Acute glomerulonephritis causes fluid retention and edema due to kidney inflammation. As the inflammation resolves with treatment, the kidneys can excrete excess fluid, leading to weight loss. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Poor appetite, increased potassium intake, and restriction to bed rest are not typically the primary reasons for weight loss in acute glomerulonephritis.