The nurse is implementing care for a school-age child admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which prescribed intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Begin 0.9% saline solution intravenously as prescribed
- B. Administer regular insulin intravenously as prescribed
- C. Place child on a cardiac monitor
- D. Place child on a pulse oximetry monitor
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Initiating intravenous saline solution is the initial priority in managing diabetic ketoacidosis to address dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Administering insulin without addressing dehydration first can lead to potential complications. While monitoring cardiac status and oxygen saturation are important, addressing the fluid and electrolyte imbalances takes precedence in the management of DKA.
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The healthcare professional is assessing a 4-year-old client. Which finding suggests to the healthcare professional this child may have a genetic disorder?
- A. Inquiry reveals the child had feeding problems.
- B. The child weighs 40 lb (18.2 kg) and is 40 in (101.6 cm) in height.
- C. The child has low-set ears with lobe creases.
- D. The child can hop on one foot but cannot skip.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Low-set ears with lobe creases are often associated with genetic disorders and can indicate underlying chromosomal abnormalities. This physical characteristic is known to be a common sign in various syndromes like Down syndrome. Choices A, B, and D are not directly linked to genetic disorders. Feeding problems and specific weight/height measurements are more general indicators of growth and development, while the ability to hop on one foot but not skip is a developmental milestone assessment that does not specifically point towards a genetic disorder.
After completing an oral examination of a healthy 2-year-old child, the parent asks when the child should first be taken to the dentist. When is the most appropriate time in the child's life for the nurse to suggest?
- A. Before starting school
- B. Within the next few months
- C. When the first deciduous teeth are lost
- D. At the next dental visit of a family member
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: It is recommended that a child should visit the dentist within the next few months after turning two years old. This allows for early dental check-ups to monitor oral health, detect any issues early on, and establish a good oral hygiene routine. Choice A ('Before starting school') is not as specific and may delay the child's first dental visit. Choice C ('When the first deciduous teeth are lost') is too late for the first dental visit, as preventive care should start earlier. Choice D ('At the next dental visit of a family member') is not ideal as the child's dental needs should be addressed independently of family members' visits.
The nurse is caring for a child who has been admitted for a sickle cell crisis. What would the nurse do first to provide adequate pain management?
- A. Administer a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) as ordered.
- B. Use guided imagery and therapeutic touch.
- C. Administer meperidine as ordered.
- D. Initiate pain assessment with a standardized pain scale.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Initiating pain assessment with a standardized pain scale is crucial in effectively managing pain during a sickle cell crisis. This initial step helps the nurse understand the severity of the pain, which guides subsequent interventions. Administering medications, such as NSAIDs or meperidine, should only be done after a thorough pain assessment to ensure appropriate and individualized treatment. Using guided imagery and therapeutic touch may be beneficial as adjunct interventions, but they should not replace the essential first step of assessing the pain level accurately.
A nurse is inspecting the skin of a child with atopic dermatitis. What would the nurse expect to observe?
- A. Erythematous papulovesicular rash
- B. Dry, red, scaly rash with lichenification
- C. Pustular vesicles with honey-colored exudates
- D. Hypopigmented oval scaly lesions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In atopic dermatitis, the nurse would expect to observe a dry, red, scaly rash with lichenification. Lichenification is thickened skin due to chronic scratching. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Erythematous papulovesicular rash is more characteristic of contact dermatitis, pustular vesicles with honey-colored exudates are seen in impetigo, and hypopigmented oval scaly lesions are typical of pityriasis alba.
The nurse is developing a teaching plan for a child who is to have his cast removed. What instruction would the nurse 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: The correct instruction for the nurse to include in the teaching plan is to advise the child to soak the area in warm water every day. Soaking the area in warm water helps to gently remove dead skin without causing irritation, facilitating the safe and comfortable removal of the cast. Applying petroleum jelly (Choice A) may not be necessary and could interfere with the cast removal process. Rubbing the skin vigorously (Choice B) can lead to skin damage and should be avoided. Washing the skin with diluted peroxide and water (Choice D) is not recommended as peroxide can be irritating to the skin and may not aid in cast removal.