Nokea
Which assessment finding may indicate a serious neurovascular problem that should be reported immediately to the charge nurse or physician?
- A. The toes of the left foot are warmer than the toes of the right foot.
- B. The toes of both feet are cool to the touch.
- C. The child is unable to wiggle the toes of the right foot.
- D. The capillary refill in the toes of the right foot is 2 seconds.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Inability to wiggle toes suggests neurovascular compromise, such as nerve or vascular injury, requiring immediate reporting to prevent permanent damage.
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The nurse is caring for the newborn infant. Which initial measures should the nurse take to maintain the newborn’s axillary body temperature between 97.7°F (36.5°C) and 98.9°F (37.2°C)? Select all that apply.
- A. Carefully dry the infant immediately after birth.
- B. Place the infant skin-to-skin with the mother.
- C. Apply leggings to both of the newborn’s legs.
- D. Cover the infant’s head with a stocking cap.
- E. Place the infant in a bassinette close to the wall.
Correct Answer: A,B,D
Rationale: Drying the newborn prevents heat loss through evaporation. Skin-to-skin contact with the mother assists in maintaining body temperature. A stocking cap conserves heat. Leggings are unnecessary and placing the bassinette near a wall causes radiation heat loss.
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 nursing action is most appropriate at this time?
- A. Recognize that the fluid is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and remove the dressing, observing for the source of the leakage.
- B. Recognize that the fluid is CSF and call the chaplain because death of the child is imminent.
- C. Recognize that the fluid is CSF and notify the operating room because additional surgery will be necessary.
- D. Recognize that the fluid is CSF and reinforce the dressing until the physician can change it.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Clear drainage on a head dressing post-craniotomy is likely CSF, indicating a leak. Reinforcing the dressing prevents infection and maintains a sterile barrier until the physician assesses the leak.
Which statement by the child indicates a need for further teaching about bicycle safety?
- A. I'll wear my helmet whenever I ride my bicycle.
- B. I'll ride my bicycle in the opposite direction of traffic flow.
- C. I'll stop at all intersections and look both ways before proceeding.
- D. I won't ride my bicycle after dark on the street.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Riding in the opposite direction of traffic flow is unsafe, increasing collision risk. Bicycles should be ridden with traffic flow, indicating a need for further teaching.
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.