A nurse is providing care to a child diagnosed with sickle cell anemia. What is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. Administering pain medication
- B. Ensuring adequate hydration
- C. Providing nutritional support
- D. Monitoring vital signs
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In sickle cell anemia, pain management is a priority due to vaso-occlusive crises that cause severe pain. Administering pain medication helps alleviate discomfort and improve the child's quality of life. Ensuring adequate hydration, although important, is secondary to addressing the immediate pain issue. Providing nutritional support is beneficial for overall health but does not address the acute pain experienced. Monitoring vital signs is essential but not the immediate priority when managing pain in sickle cell anemia.
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Congenital heart defects have traditionally been divided into acyanotic or cyanotic defects. Based on the nurse's knowledge of congenital heart defects, this system in clinical practice is
- A. helpful because it explains the hemodynamics involved
- B. helpful because children with cyanotic defects are easily identified
- C. problematic because cyanosis is rarely present in children
- D. problematic because children with acyanotic heart defects may develop cyanosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The classification is problematic because children with acyanotic heart defects may develop cyanosis, complicating the differentiation between acyanotic and cyanotic defects. Choice A is incorrect because the system is not solely based on explaining hemodynamics. Choice B is incorrect because the classification is not based on the ease of identifying children with cyanotic defects. Choice C is incorrect because cyanosis can indeed be present in children with congenital heart defects, especially acyanotic defects that may lead to cyanosis under certain circumstances.
Based on developmental norms for a 5-year-old child, a healthcare professional decides to withhold a scheduled dose of digoxin (Lanoxin) elixir and notify the healthcare provider. Below what apical pulse did the healthcare professional withhold the medication?
- A. 60 beats/min
- B. 70 beats/min
- C. 90 beats/min
- D. 100 beats/min
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For a 5-year-old child, an apical pulse below 90 beats/min is an indicator to withhold digoxin. Digoxin is a medication that affects the heart, and in pediatric patients, monitoring the pulse rate is crucial due to the risk of bradycardia (slow heart rate) as a potential side effect. In this case, an apical pulse of 90 beats/min or lower indicates a heart rate that may be too slow for a child of this age, warranting the withholding of digoxin and prompt notification of the healthcare provider. Choices A, B, and D are not within the critical range specified for withholding digoxin in a 5-year-old child and would not necessitate withholding the medication.
A parent asks the nurse what to do when their toddler has temper tantrums. What play materials should the nurse suggest to offer the child as another way of expressing anger?
- A. Ball and bat
- B. Wad of clay
- C. Punching bag
- D. Pegs and pounding board
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Pegs and pounding boards are recommended as play materials for toddlers to express their anger in a constructive manner. These tools provide a safe and effective outlet for the child's emotions through physical activity. Options A, B, and C do not offer the same interactive and expressive qualities that pegs and pounding boards provide. A ball and bat may encourage aggressive behavior, a wad of clay is more suitable for creative expression rather than anger management, and a punching bag may promote violent behavior which is not appropriate for toddlers.
A healthcare professional is teaching parents about why most children should be immunized against varicella (chickenpox) and why some receiving specific medications should not. Which medication should be included in the discussion?
- A. Insulin
- B. Steroids
- C. Antibiotics
- D. Anticonvulsants
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Steroids. Children receiving steroids should not receive the varicella vaccine as it can increase the risk of severe infection due to the immunosuppressive effects of steroids. Insulin (Choice A), antibiotics (Choice C), and anticonvulsants (Choice D) do not interact with the varicella vaccine in the same way as steroids, and therefore, they are not contraindicated.
What is the first action a healthcare provider should take before administering a tube feeding to an infant?
- A. Irrigate the tube with water.
- B. Offer a pacifier to the infant.
- C. Slowly instill 10 mL of formula.
- D. Place the infant in the Trendelenburg position.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to offer a pacifier to the infant before administering tube feeding. Offering a pacifier helps stimulate the sucking reflex, preparing the infant for feeding and promoting digestion and comfort. Irrigating the tube with water (Choice A) is not typically the first action before tube feeding and may not be necessary. Slowly instilling formula (Choice C) should only be done after the infant is prepared for feeding. Placing the infant in the Trendelenburg position (Choice D) is not necessary and may not be recommended for tube feeding.