A nurse in the emergency department observes large welts and scars on the back of a child who has been admitted for an asthma attack. What additional information must be included in the nurse's assessment?
- A. History of an injury
- B. Signs of child abuse
- C. Presence of food allergies
- D. Recent recovery from chickenpox
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Signs of child abuse. Large welts and scars on a child may be indicative of abuse, making it crucial for the nurse to assess and report any suspicions. Assessing the history of an injury (choice A) may not provide insight into the cause of the welts and scars as effectively as looking for signs of potential abuse. Food allergies (choice C) and recent recovery from chickenpox (choice D) are not directly relevant to the observation of welts and scars on the child's back.
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A child sitting on a chair in a playroom starts to have a tonic-clonic seizure with a clenched jaw. What is the nurse's best initial action?
- A. Attempt to open the jaw.
- B. Place the child on the floor.
- C. Call out for assistance from staff.
- D. Place a pillow under the child's head.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct initial action during a tonic-clonic seizure is to place the child on the floor to prevent injury. This action helps protect the child from falling off the chair and provides a safer environment for the seizure to occur. Attempting to open the jaw can cause harm or injury. Calling out for assistance is important but should follow the immediate action of moving the child to the floor. Placing a pillow under the child's head is not recommended as it may lead to airway obstruction or further injury during the seizure.
An infant who has had diarrhea for 3 days is admitted in a lethargic state and is breathing rapidly. The parent states that the baby has been ingesting formula, although not as much as usual, and cannot understand the sudden change. What explanation should the nurse give the parent?
- A. Cellular metabolism is unstable in young children.
- B. The proportion of water in the body is less than in adults.
- C. Renal function is immature in children until they reach school age.
- D. The extracellular fluid requirement per unit of body weight is greater than in adults.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Infants have a higher extracellular fluid requirement per unit of body weight, making them more susceptible to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances during illnesses such as diarrhea. Choice A is incorrect because cellular metabolism being unstable is not the primary explanation for the symptoms described. Choice B is incorrect as the proportion of water in the body alone does not fully explain the increased risk of dehydration in infants. Choice C is incorrect because while renal function is immature in children, it is not the most relevant factor in this scenario compared to the increased fluid requirements.
You are managing a 10-month-old infant who has had severe diarrhea and vomiting for 3 days and is now showing signs of shock. You have initiated supplemental oxygen therapy and elevated the lower extremities. En route to the hospital, you note that the child's work of breathing has increased. What must you do first?
- A. Lower the extremities and reassess the child
- B. Begin positive pressure ventilations and reassess the child
- C. Place a nasopharyngeal airway and increase the oxygen flow
- D. Listen to the lungs with a stethoscope for abnormal breath sounds
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In this scenario, the infant is showing signs of shock with increased work of breathing. Lowering the extremities helps improve venous return to the heart, cardiac output, and oxygenation by reducing the pressure on the diaphragm. This action can alleviate the respiratory distress and is a critical step to take in a child with signs of shock. Beginning positive pressure ventilations (Choice B) should be considered if the infant's respiratory distress worsens despite lowering the extremities. Placing a nasopharyngeal airway and increasing oxygen flow (Choice C) may not directly address the increased work of breathing or the underlying shock condition. Listening to the lungs with a stethoscope (Choice D) may provide information on lung sounds but does not address the immediate need to improve breathing in a child with signs of shock.
The nurse is caring for an infant with osteogenesis imperfecta and is providing instruction on how to reduce the risk of injury. Which response from the mother indicates a need for further teaching?
- A. I need to avoid pushing or pulling on an arm or leg.
- B. I must avoid lifting the baby from under the armpits.
- C. I should not bend an arm or leg into an awkward position.
- D. We must avoid lifting the legs by the ankles to change diapers.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lifting the baby from under the armpits can cause fractures in infants with osteogenesis imperfecta. The correct approach is to support the baby's body and head carefully, avoiding pressure on vulnerable areas prone to fractures. Choices A, C, and D demonstrate proper awareness of caring for an infant with osteogenesis imperfecta by emphasizing caution to prevent fractures.
A major developmental milestone of a toddler is the achievement of autonomy. What should the parents do to enhance their toddler's need for autonomy?
- A. Teach the child to share with others.
- B. Help the child learn society's roles.
- C. Teach the child to accept external limits.
- D. Help the child develop internal controls.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Toddlers striving for autonomy need to develop internal controls to foster their independence. Teaching the child to share (Choice A) focuses more on social skills rather than autonomy. Helping the child learn society's roles (Choice B) is important but not directly related to enhancing autonomy. Teaching the child to accept external limits (Choice C) is contrary to promoting autonomy as it emphasizes conformity to external rules rather than internal self-regulation.