During an otoscopic examination on an infant, in which direction is the pinna pulled?
- A. Up and back
- B. Up and forward
- C. Down and back
- D. Down and forward
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In infants and toddlers, the ear canal is curved upward. To visualize the ear canal, it is necessary to pull the pinna down and back to the 6 to 9 oclock range to straighten the canal. In children older than age 3 years and adults, the canal curves downward and forward. The pinna is pulled up and back to the 10 oclock position. Up and forward and down and forward are positions that do not facilitate visualization of the ear canal.
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The nurse is preparing to assess a 10-month-old infant. He is sitting on his fathers lap and appears to be afraid of the nurse and of what might happen next. Which initial actions by the nurse should be most appropriate?
- A. Initiate a game of peek-a-boo.
- B. Ask the infants father to place the infant on the examination table.
- C. Talk softly to the infant while taking him from his father.
- D. Undress the infant while he is still sitting on his fathers lap.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Peek-a-boo is an excellent means of initiating communication with infants while maintaining a safe, nonthreatening distance. The child will most likely become upset if separated from his father. As much of the assessment as possible should be done with the child on the fathers lap. The nurse should have the father undress the child as needed during the examination.
The nurse has just started assessing a young child who is febrile and appears ill. There is hyperextension of the childs head (opisthotonos) with pain on flexion. Which is the most appropriate action?
- A. Ask the parent when the neck was injured.
- B. Refer for immediate medical evaluation.
- C. Continue assessment to determine the cause of the neck pain.
- D. Record head lag on the assessment record and continue the assessment of the child.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperextension of the childs head with pain on flexion is indicative of meningeal irritation and needs immediate evaluation. No indication of injury is present. This situation is not descriptive of head lag.
The nurse is testing an infants visual acuity. By which age should the infant be able to fix on and follow a target?
- A. 1 month
- B. 1 to 2 months
- C. 3 to 4 months
- D. 6 months
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Visual fixation and ability to follow a target should be present by ages 3 to 4 months. One to 2 months is too young for this developmental milestone. If an infant is not able to fix and follow by 6 months, further ophthalmologic evaluation is needed.
Rectal temperatures are indicated in which situation?
- A. In the newborn period
- B. Whenever accuracy is essential
- C. Rectal temperatures are never indicated
- D. When rapid temperature changes are occurring
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rectal temperatures are recommended when definitive measurements are necessary in infants older than age 1 month. Rectal temperatures are not done in the newborn period to avoid trauma to the rectal mucosa. Rectal temperature is an intrusive procedure that should be avoided whenever possible.
When doing a nutritional assessment on a Hispanic family, the nurse learns that their diet consists mainly of vegetables, legumes, and starches. The nurse should recognize that this diet is which?
- A. Lacking in protein
- B. Indicating they live in poverty
- C. Providing sufficient amino acids
- D. Needing enrichment with meat and milk
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A diet that contains vegetables, legumes, and starches may provide sufficient essential amino acids even though the actual amount of meat or dairy protein is low. Combinations of foods contain the essential amino acids necessary for growth. Many cultures use diets that contain this combination of foods. It is not indicative of poverty. A dietary assessment should be done, but many vegetarian diets are sufficient for growth.
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