Nokea
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.
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The nurse is having difficulty communicating with a hospitalized 6-year-old child. Which technique should be most helpful?
- A. Recommend that the child keep a diary.
- B. Provide supplies for the child to draw a picture.
- C. Suggest that the parent read fairy tales to the child.
- D. Ask the parent if the child is always uncommunicative.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Drawing is one of the most valuable forms of communication. Childrens drawings tell a great deal about them because they are projections of the childrens inner self. A diary should be difficult for a 6-year-old child, who is most likely learning to read. The parent reading fairy tales to the child is a passive activity involving the parent and child; it should not facilitate communication with the nurse. The child is in a stressful situation and is probably uncomfortable with strangers, not always uncommunicative.
What is the earliest age at which a satisfactory radial pulse can be taken in children?
- A. 1 year
- B. 2 years
- C. 3 years
- D. 6 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Satisfactory radial pulses can be taken in children older than 2 years. In infants and young children, the apical pulse is more reliable.
The nurse needs to take the blood pressure of a small child. Of the cuffs available, one is too large and one is too small. The best nursing action is which?
- A. Use the small cuff.
- B. Use the large cuff.
- C. Use either cuff using the palpation method.
- D. Wait to take the blood pressure until a proper cuff can be located.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: If blood pressure measurement is indicated and the appropriate size cuff is not available, the next larger size is used. The nurse recognizes that this may be a falsely low blood pressure. Using the small cuff will give an incorrectly high reading. The palpation method will not improve the inaccuracy inherent in the cuff.
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.
Which is the single most important factor to consider when communicating with children?
- A. Presence of the childs parent
- B. Childs physical condition
- C. Childs developmental level
- D. Childs nonverbal behaviors
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse must be aware of the childs developmental stage to engage in effective communication. The use of both verbal and nonverbal communication should be appropriate to the developmental level. Nonverbal behaviors vary in importance based on the childs developmental level and physical condition. Although the childs physical condition is a consideration, developmental level is much more important. The presence of parents is important when communicating with young children but may be detrimental when speaking with adolescents.