The mother of a one-month-old boy born at home brings the infant to his first well-baby visit. The infant was born two weeks after his due date and is described as a 'good, quiet baby' who almost never cries. To assess for hypothyroidism, what question is most important for the nurse to ask the mother?
- A. Has your son had any immunizations yet?
- B. Is your son sleepy and difficult to feed?
- C. Are you breastfeeding or bottle-feeding your son?
- D. Were any relatives born with birth defects?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Excessive sleepiness and difficulty feeding can be signs of hypothyroidism in infants. Asking about the infant's sleepiness and feeding pattern is crucial in assessing for hypothyroidism. Choice A is incorrect because immunizations are not directly related to hypothyroidism. Choice C is about feeding method and not specific to hypothyroidism. Choice D is unrelated as it asks about relatives with birth defects, which does not directly assess the infant's condition.
You may also like to solve these questions
A client with cirrhosis is admitted with jaundice and ascites. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
- A. Peripheral edema
- B. Confusion and altered mental status
- C. Yellowing of the skin
- D. Increased abdominal girth
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Confusion and altered mental status are the most critical assessment findings in a client with cirrhosis. These symptoms may indicate hepatic encephalopathy, a serious complication that requires immediate intervention. Yellowing of the skin (jaundice) is a common manifestation of cirrhosis and does not necessitate immediate intervention. Peripheral edema and increased abdominal girth are associated with fluid retention in cirrhosis but are not as urgent as addressing altered mental status and confusion.
A client with chronic heart failure is admitted with shortness of breath and a new onset of confusion. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Obtain a neurological assessment.
- B. Administer oxygen therapy.
- C. Monitor the client's urine output.
- D. Obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG).
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to obtain a neurological assessment. In a client with chronic heart failure presenting with confusion, the priority is to assess neurological status to rule out potential causes such as hypoxia or other complications. Administering oxygen therapy (Choice B) is important but assessing the neurological status takes precedence in this scenario. Monitoring urine output (Choice C) and obtaining an ECG (Choice D) may be necessary but are not the initial priority when a client presents with confusion alongside shortness of breath.
The charge nurse observes a new nurse preparing to insert an intravenous (IV) catheter. The new nurse has gathered supplies, including intravenous catheters, an intravenous insertion kit, and a 4x4 sterile gauze dressing to cover and secure the insertion site. What action should the charge nurse take?
- A. Instruct the nurse to use a transparent dressing over the site
- B. Allow the new nurse to proceed with the procedure
- C. Assist the new nurse with the insertion
- D. Replace the 4x4 gauze with a larger dressing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to instruct the nurse to use a transparent dressing over the site. Transparent dressings allow for continuous observation of the IV site, reducing the risk of complications. Choice B is incorrect because the charge nurse should intervene to ensure the new nurse follows best practices. Choice C is incorrect as the charge nurse should not just assist but provide guidance on the correct procedure. Choice D is incorrect because the size of the dressing is not the issue; it's the type of dressing that allows for better observation.
During the initial newborn assessment, the nurse finds that a newborn's heart rate is irregular. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
- A. Notify the pediatrician immediately.
- B. Teach the parents about congenital heart defects.
- C. Document the finding in the infant's record.
- D. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula at 3 L/min.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct intervention when a nurse finds an irregular heart rate in a newborn is to document the finding in the infant's record. An irregular heart rate is a common occurrence in newborns and does not necessarily require immediate medical intervention. Notifying the pediatrician immediately is unnecessary unless there are other concerning symptoms. Teaching the parents about congenital heart defects is not the priority in this situation. Applying oxygen via nasal cannula at 3 L/min is not indicated for an irregular heart rate without further assessment or medical indication.
The nurse is caring for a client with a tracheostomy who has thick, tenacious secretions. Which assessment finding is most concerning?
- A. Crepitus around the tracheostomy site
- B. Dry and cracked tracheostomy site
- C. Yellowing of the skin around the tracheostomy site
- D. Mucous plugging of the tracheostomy tube
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Mucous plugging of the tracheostomy tube is the most concerning finding in a client with a tracheostomy and thick secretions. This can lead to airway obstruction, which requires immediate intervention to maintain a patent airway. Crepitus around the tracheostomy site may indicate subcutaneous emphysema but does not pose an immediate threat to the airway. A dry and cracked tracheostomy site may require interventions to promote healing but is not as urgent as mucous plugging. Yellowing of the skin around the tracheostomy site could indicate infection or impaired circulation, which should be addressed but does not pose the same immediate risk as airway obstruction.