Nokea
A healthcare professional is reviewing the clinical records of infants and children with cardiac disorders who developed heart failure. What did the professional determine is the last sign of heart failure?
- A. Tachypnea
- B. Tachycardia
- C. Peripheral edema
- D. Periorbital edema
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Peripheral edema is often considered the last sign of heart failure in infants and children. It indicates significant fluid retention and circulatory compromise. Tachypnea (increased respiratory rate) and tachycardia (increased heart rate) are early signs of heart failure due to inadequate cardiac output. Periorbital edema, while a sign of excess fluid, typically occurs earlier in the progression of heart failure compared to peripheral edema.
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When assessing a child with suspected nephrotic syndrome, what clinical manifestation is the nurse likely to observe?
- A. Jaundice
- B. Edema
- C. Hypertension
- D. Polyuria
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Edema is a hallmark clinical manifestation of nephrotic syndrome. In nephrotic syndrome, there is increased glomerular permeability leading to the loss of proteins, particularly albumin, in the urine. This results in decreased oncotic pressure, leading to fluid shifting into the interstitial spaces and causing edema. Jaundice (Choice A) is not a typical clinical manifestation of nephrotic syndrome. Hypertension (Choice C) is more commonly associated with conditions like glomerulonephritis. Polyuria (Choice D) is not a primary symptom of nephrotic syndrome; instead, patients may have reduced urine output due to fluid retention from edema.
A nurse is assessing a child with suspected pertussis. What clinical manifestation is the nurse likely to observe?
- A. Dry, hacking cough
- B. Inspiratory stridor
- C. Nasal congestion
- D. Severe coughing spells
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Severe coughing spells. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, typically presents with severe coughing spells that can be followed by a characteristic 'whoop' sound. These coughing fits can be intense and prolonged, often causing the child to gasp for air between coughs. Option A, dry hacking cough, is a common symptom of other respiratory conditions like bronchitis. Option B, inspiratory stridor, is more commonly associated with conditions like croup. Option C, nasal congestion, is not a typical symptom of pertussis.
When teaching a class about trisomy 21, the instructor would identify the cause of this disorder as:
- A. nondisjunction.
- B. X-linked recessive inheritance.
- C. genomic imprinting.
- D. autosomal dominant inheritance.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Trisomy 21, also known as Down syndrome, is caused by nondisjunction, which is an error in cell division that leads to the presence of an extra chromosome 21. This additional chromosome alters the normal genetic makeup, resulting in the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. Therefore, the correct answer is nondisjunction (Choice A). Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because Trisomy 21 is not caused by X-linked recessive inheritance, genomic imprinting, or autosomal dominant inheritance. Understanding the specific genetic mechanism involved in Trisomy 21 is crucial for grasping the basis of this chromosomal disorder.
A child with a diagnosis of sickle cell anemia is experiencing a vaso-occlusive crisis. What is the most important nursing intervention?
- A. Administering oxygen
- B. Administering pain medication
- C. Monitoring fluid intake
- D. Encouraging physical activity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During a vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell anemia, the most important nursing intervention is to administer pain medication. Pain management is crucial in alleviating the intense pain experienced by the patient. Administering oxygen (Choice A) may be necessary in some cases to improve oxygenation, but pain relief takes precedence during a vaso-occlusive crisis. Monitoring fluid intake (Choice C) is important for hydration but is not the priority during a crisis. Encouraging physical activity (Choice D) is contraindicated during a vaso-occlusive crisis as it can exacerbate pain and tissue damage.
A child with sickle cell anemia develops severe chest pain, fever, a cough, and dyspnea. The nurse's first action is to
- A. administer 100% oxygen to relieve hypoxia
- B. administer pain medication to relieve symptoms
- C. notify the practitioner because chest syndrome is suspected
- D. notify the practitioner because the child may be having a stroke
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a child with sickle cell anemia experiencing severe chest pain, fever, cough, and dyspnea, the priority action is to suspect acute chest syndrome, a life-threatening complication. The nurse's first action should be to notify the practitioner for immediate evaluation and intervention. Administering 100% oxygen (Choice A) may be necessary later but is not the initial priority. Administering pain medication (Choice B) should not precede notifying the practitioner, as addressing the underlying cause is crucial. The symptoms described are more indicative of acute chest syndrome than a stroke, so notifying the practitioner for chest syndrome (Choice C) takes precedence over suspecting a stroke (Choice D).