After assisting in the delivery of a full-term infant with anencephaly,the parents ask the nurse to explain treatments that might be available for their infant. Which statement should be the basis for the nurse’s response?
- A. Immediate surgery is necessary to repair the congenital defect.
- B. Anencephaly is incompatible with life; only palliative care should be provided.
- C. A shunting procedure will be necessary initially to relieve intracranial pressure.
- D. Antibiotics are needed initially before any treatment is started.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anencephaly lacking cerebral hemispheres and skull is incompatible with life warranting only palliative care. Surgery shunting or antibiotics cannot correct it.
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Which nursing action is most appropriate when caring for a child experiencing a sickle cell crisis?
- A. Apply heat to the affected joints.
- B. Administer oxygen as ordered.
- C. Encourage vigorous physical activity.
- D. Provide a high-sodium diet.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Administering oxygen as ordered improves oxygenation, critical during a sickle cell crisis to counteract hypoxia caused by vaso-occlusion and reduced oxygen-carrying capacity.
The nurse meets the frantic father at an ED door. He says he just delivered his wife’s full-term newborn in the car when the temperature outside is only 10°F (—12.2°C). In response to the cold environment,the nurse knows that the infant’s body will immediately begin to produce heat by which mechanism?
- A. Shivering
- B. Metabolizing body fat
- C. Dilating surface blood vessels
- D. Decreasing flexion of the extremities
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When skin receptors of full-term newborns perceive a drop in environmental temperature the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated. This in turn stimulates metabolism of brown fat thus producing heat that is transferred to the peripheral circulation. Shivering is rarely seen in newborns and it does little to produce heat. Newborns conserve heat by constricting not dilating blood vessels. Decreasing flexion promotes heat loss by exposing more skin surface.
Which diversional activity suggested by the nurse is most appropriate for the child during the acute phase of rheumatic fever?
- A. Playing with action figures
- B. Playing video games
- C. Reading an adventure story
- D. Pounding wooden pegs with a mallet
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During the acute phase of rheumatic fever, the child is on bed rest to reduce cardiac workload. Reading an adventure story is a quiet, non-physically demanding activity appropriate for a 7-year-old, promoting rest while keeping the child engaged.
Which statement by the parents indicates they understand the home care instructions given by the nurse?
- A. We've made arrangements for a homebound teacher.
- B. We'll use ice packs on our child's joints during episodes of inflammation.
- C. We'll serve meals that prevent excess weight gain.
- D. We'll keep our child in bed most of the time.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Maintaining a healthy weight reduces stress on inflamed joints in JRA. Serving meals that prevent excess weight gain shows understanding of home care instructions to support joint health.
How should the nurse position a child who is about to undergo a lumbar puncture?
- A. Prone position
- B. Fowler's position
- C. Supine position
- D. Side-lying position
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The side-lying position with the back curved and knees flexed maximizes spinal flexion, facilitating access to the subarachnoid space for a lumbar puncture.
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