Nokea
A parent arrives in the emergency clinic with a 3-month-old baby who has difficulty breathing and prolonged periods of apnea. Which assessment data should alert the nurse to suspect shaken baby syndrome (SBS)?
- A. Birth occurred before 32 weeks' gestation
- B. Lack of stridor and adventitious breath sounds
- C. Previous episodes of apnea lasting 10 to 15 seconds
- D. Retractions and use of accessory respiratory muscles
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Retractions and the use of accessory respiratory muscles are signs of respiratory distress in infants. These clinical manifestations can be associated with trauma, such as shaken baby syndrome (SBS), which can lead to severe head injuries and respiratory compromise. Birth before 32 weeks' gestation (Choice A) is more related to prematurity complications rather than SBS. The absence of stridor and adventitious breath sounds (Choice B) may not be specific indicators of SBS. Previous episodes of apnea lasting 10 to 15 seconds (Choice C) alone may not be as concerning as the presence of retractions and use of accessory muscles in the context of a distressed infant.
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The healthcare professional is developing a teaching plan for a child who is to have their cast removed. What instruction would the professional most likely include?
- A. Applying petroleum jelly to the dry skin.
- B. Rubbing the skin vigorously to remove the dead skin.
- C. Soaking the area in warm water every day.
- D. Washing the skin with diluted peroxide and water.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Soaking the area in warm water is the most appropriate instruction for a child who is having their cast removed. This method helps to gently remove dead skin without causing irritation. Applying petroleum jelly to dry skin (Choice A) is not recommended as it may not effectively aid in the removal of dead skin. Rubbing the skin vigorously (Choice B) can lead to skin irritation and should be avoided. Washing the skin with diluted peroxide and water (Choice D) may be too harsh, causing unnecessary irritation to the skin post-cast removal.
A child with a diagnosis of sickle cell anemia is admitted to the hospital with 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 priority nursing intervention is administering pain medication. Pain management is crucial to alleviate the intense pain experienced by the child. While administering oxygen can help improve oxygenation, it is not the most critical intervention during a vaso-occlusive crisis. Monitoring fluid intake is important for overall care but is not the immediate priority during a crisis. Encouraging physical activity is contraindicated during a vaso-occlusive crisis as it can worsen the pain and the crisis itself.
The nurse has developed a plan of care for a 6-year-old with muscular dystrophy. He was recently injured when he fell out of bed at home. Which intervention would the nurse suggest to prevent further injury?
- A. Recommend raising the bed's side rails throughout the day and night.
- B. Suggest having a caregiver present continuously to prevent falls from bed.
- C. Encourage the use of a loose restraint when he is in bed.
- D. Recommend raising the bed's side rails when a caregiver is not present.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: For a child with muscular dystrophy who fell out of bed, it is important to prevent further injuries. Using bed side rails when a caregiver is not present can help provide a safety measure and prevent falls. While continuous caregiver presence (choice B) may be ideal, it may not always be feasible. Recommending raising the bed's side rails throughout the day and night (choice A) may limit the child's mobility unnecessarily. Encouraging the use of a loose restraint (choice C) can be dangerous and may increase the risk of injury in case of a fall.
An 8-year-old child diagnosed with meningitis is to undergo a lumbar puncture. What should the nurse explain is the purpose of this procedure?
- A. To measure the pressure of cerebrospinal fluid
- B. To obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid for analysis
- C. To relieve intracranial pressure
- D. To assess the presence of infection in the spinal fluid
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A lumbar puncture is performed to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid for analysis. This fluid is then examined for signs of infection, bleeding, or other abnormalities. Measuring the pressure of cerebrospinal fluid is typically done during the procedure itself, but it is not the primary purpose of the lumbar puncture. While a lumbar puncture can indirectly help relieve intracranial pressure by removing excess cerebrospinal fluid, this is not its primary purpose. Assessing the presence of infection in the spinal fluid is part of the analysis that follows the collection of the sample, making it a secondary outcome of the procedure.
When explaining the occurrence of febrile seizures to a parents' class, what information should the nurse include?
- A. They may occur in minor illnesses.
- B. The cause is usually readily identified.
- C. They usually do not occur during the toddler years.
- D. The frequency of occurrence is greater in females than males.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'They may occur in minor illnesses.' Febrile seizures can occur even in minor illnesses, particularly in young children, and are often triggered by a rapid increase in body temperature. Choice B is incorrect because the cause of febrile seizures is not always readily identified. Choice C is incorrect as febrile seizures commonly occur in children aged 6 months to 5 years, which includes the toddler years. Choice D is incorrect as febrile seizures are slightly more common in males than females.