During a primary survey of a child with partial thickness burns over the upper body areas, what action should the nurse take first?
- A. Inspect the child's skin color.
- B. Assess for a patent airway.
- C. Observe for symmetric breathing.
- D. Palpate the child's pulse.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assess for a patent airway. When dealing with a child who has sustained partial thickness burns, the priority is ensuring a patent airway due to the risk of respiratory compromise. Checking the child's skin color (choice A) may be important but is secondary to assessing the airway. While observing for symmetric breathing (choice C) is crucial, assessing the airway takes precedence in this situation. Palpating the child's pulse (choice D) is not the initial priority when managing burns and potential airway compromise.
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What explanation should the nurse provide to the parents of a 6-month-old infant diagnosed with cystic fibrosis?
- A. It is a condition affecting the respiratory and digestive systems.
- B. It is an autoimmune disorder affecting multiple organs.
- C. It is a genetic disorder that can be managed with medication.
- D. It is a condition caused by prenatal exposure to toxins.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that primarily affects the respiratory and digestive systems. It results in the production of thick, sticky mucus that can clog the lungs and obstruct the pancreas. This explanation is crucial for parents to understand the impact of the condition on their child's health. Choice B is incorrect because cystic fibrosis is not an autoimmune disorder. Choice C is partially correct in that cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder, but it requires a comprehensive management approach beyond just medication. Choice D is incorrect as cystic fibrosis is not caused by prenatal exposure to toxins but rather by inheriting specific genetic mutations.
A child is admitted with extensive burns. The nurse notes burns on the child's lips and singed nasal hairs. The nurse should suspect that the child has a(n)
- A. chemical burn
- B. inhalation injury
- C. electrical burn
- D. hot-water scald
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Burns on the lips and singed nasal hairs indicate inhalation injury, suggesting the child has inhaled hot gases or smoke. This presentation is common in cases where the respiratory tract is exposed to hot gases or smoke, leading to potential airway compromise. Choice A, chemical burn, is incorrect because there is no mention of exposure to chemicals, and the symptoms described are more indicative of inhalation injury. Choice C, electrical burn, is incorrect as there is no evidence of electrical involvement in the scenario provided. Choice D, hot-water scald, is incorrect because the presence of singed nasal hairs points more towards inhalation injury than a scald from hot water, emphasizing the need to prioritize airway management and respiratory support.
A child is brought to the clinic after tripping over a rock. The child states, 'I twisted my ankle,' and is given a diagnosis of a sprain. What intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the discharge instructions for this child?
- A. For the first 24 hours, apply ice for 20 minutes and then remove for 60 minutes.
- B. Bed rest with the leg elevated for 36 hours.
- C. May take an NSAID for pain as needed.
- D. Use a compression dressing for 72 hours.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct intervention for a sprained ankle is to apply ice for 20 minutes every hour for the first 24 hours, then remove for 60 minutes to prevent tissue damage. This regimen helps reduce swelling and pain. Bed rest with the leg elevated for an extended period (36 hours) may lead to stiffness and decreased range of motion. While NSAIDs can be used for pain, they may not be necessary if pain is manageable with ice and rest. Using a compression dressing for 72 hours continuously may impede proper circulation and delay healing by restricting blood flow.
Why does a cleft lip predispose an infant to infection, concerning a nurse caring for the infant?
- A. Waste products accumulate along the defect.
- B. There is inadequate circulation in the defective area.
- C. Nutrition is inadequate due to ineffective feeding.
- D. Mouth breathing dries the oropharyngeal mucous membranes.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Mouth breathing due to a cleft lip can dry the mucous membranes, increasing their susceptibility to infection. While waste product accumulation (Choice A) and inadequate circulation (Choice B) may contribute to complications, they are not directly related to infection in this context. Inadequate nutrition (Choice C) may affect overall health but is not the primary reason for infection predisposition in this case.
When working with a couple at risk of bearing a child with a genetic abnormality, what is most important for the nurse to incorporate into the plan of care?
- A. Gathering information from at least three generations
- B. Informing the couple of the need for a wide range of information
- C. Maintaining the confidentiality of the information
- D. Presenting the information in a nondirective manner
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When counseling a couple at risk of genetic abnormalities, it is crucial to present information in a nondirective manner. This approach allows the couple to make informed decisions without feeling pressured or influenced. Gathering information from at least three generations (Choice A) may be relevant for genetic counseling but is not the most critical aspect in this scenario. Informing the couple of the need for a wide range of information (Choice B) is too general and does not address the specific approach needed in this situation. Maintaining the confidentiality of the information (Choice C) is important but not the top priority compared to presenting information in a nondirective manner.