Pediatrics Chapter 18

A group of nursing students are reviewing the medications used to treat asthma. The students demonstrate understanding of the information when they identify which agent as appropriate for an acute episode of bronchospasm?

B) Albuterol Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting b2-adrenergic agonist that is used for treatment of acute bronchospasm. Salmeterol is a long-acting b2-adrenergic agonist used for long-term control or exercise-induced asthma. Ipratropium is an anticholinergic agent used as an adjunct to b2-adrenergic agonists for treatment of bronchospasm. Cromolyn is a mast cell stabilizer used prophylactically but not to relieve bronchospasm during an acute wheezing episode

The nurse is examining a 5-year-old boy. Which sign or symptom is a reliable first indication of respiratory illness in children?

D) Rapid, shallow breathing Rationale:Tachypnea, or increased respiratory rate, is often the first sign of respiratory illness in infants and children. Slow, irregular breathing and increasing listlessness are signs that the child's condition is worsening. Cyanosis (a bluish tinge to the lips) or the degree of cyanosis present is not always an accurate indication of the severity of respiratory involvement

A nurse is administering 100% oxygen to a child with a pneumothorax based on the understanding that this treatment is used primarily for which reason?

C) Hasten air reabsorption Rationale: Administration of 100% oxygen is used to treat pneumothorax primarily because it hastens the reabsorption of air. Generally this is used only for a few hours. Although the oxygen also improves gas exchange and prevents hypoxemia, these are not the reasons for its use in this situation. There is no obstruction with a pneumothorax

A nurse is teaching the parents of a child diagnosed with cystic fibrosis about medication therapy. Which would the nurse instruct the parents to administer orally?

D) Pancreatic enzymes Rationale: Pancreatic enzymes are administered orally to promote adequate digestion and absorption of nutrients. Recombinant human DNase, bronchodilators, and anti-inflammatory agents are typically administered by inhalation.

The nurse is educating the parents of a 7-year-old boy with asthma about the medications that have been prescribed. Which drug would the nurse identify as an adjunct to a b2-adrenergic agonist for treatment of bronchospasm?

A) Ipratropium Rationale: Ipratropium is an anticholinergic administered via inhalation to produce bronchodilation without systemic effects. It is generally used as an adjunct to a b2-adrenergic agonist. Montelukast decreases the inflammatory response by antagonizing the effects of leukotrienes. Cromolyn prevents release of histamine from sensitized mast cells. Theophylline provides for continuous airway relaxation

. The nurse is assessing a 7-year-old boy with pharyngitis. What assessment finding would suggest the child has developed a peritonsillar abscess?

A) Palatal edema Rationale: Peritonsillar abscess may be noted by asymmetric swelling of the tonsils, shifting of the uvula to one side, and palatal edema. Difficulty swallowing, sore throat, and headache are consistent with pharyngitis, as is the rash, which would be fine, red, and sandpaper-like (called scarlatiniform) but do not indicate a peritonsillar abscess..

A group of nursing students are reviewing information about the variations in respiratory anatomy and physiology in children in comparison to adults. The students demonstrate understanding of the information when they identify which finding?

B) Children develop hypoxemia more rapidly than adults do. Rationale: Children develop hypoxemia more rapidly than adults do because they have a significantly higher metabolic rate and faster resting respiratory rates than adults do, which leads to a higher demand for oxygen. A smaller decrease in oxygen saturation reflects a disproportionately much larger decrease in pO2. The bronchi in children are narrower than in adults, placing them at higher risk for lower airway obstruction.

A nurse is preparing a teaching plan for the family of a child with allergic rhinitis. When describing the immune reaction that occurs, the nurse would identify the role of which immunoglobulin

B) IgE Rationale: The immunoglobulin involved in the immune response associated with allergic rhinitis is IgE. IgA, IgG, and IgM are not involved in this response

A nurse is preparing a teaching plan for the family of a child with allergic rhinitis. When describing the immune reaction that occurs, the nurse would identify the role of which immunoglobulin

B) IgE Rationale: The immunoglobulin involved in the immune response associated with allergic rhinitis is IgE. IgA, IgG, and IgM are not involved in this response.

. The nurse is preparing to provide tracheostomy care to an infant. After gathering the necessary equipment, which action would the nurse take next?

A) Position the infant supine with a towel roll under the neck Rationale: After gathering the necessary equipment, the nurse would position the infant supine with a blanket or towel roll to extend the neck. Then the nurse would open all the packaging and cut the new tracheostomy ties to the appropriate length. This would be followed by cleaning the site with the appropriate solution and then rinsing it. After placing the precut sterile gauze under the tracheostomy tube, the nurse would cut the ties and remove them from the tube while an assistant holds the tube in place

The nurse is preparing to provide tracheostomy care to an infant. After gathering the necessary equipment, what would the nurse do next?

A) Position the infant supine with a towel roll under the neck Rationale: After gathering the necessary equipment, the nurse would position the infant supine with a blanket or towel roll to extend the neck. Then the nurse would open all the packaging and cut the new tracheostomy ties to the appropriate length. This would be followed by cleaning the site with the appropriate solution and then rinsing it. After placing the precut sterile gauze under the tracheostomy tube, the nurse would cut the ties and remove them from the tube while an assistant holds the tube in place.

A child requires supplemental oxygen therapy at 8 liters per minute. Which delivery device would the nurse most likely expect to be used?

A) Simple mask Rationale: A simple mask would be used to deliver a flow rate of 8 liters per minute. A Venturi mask would be used to deliver a specific percentage of oxygen, from 24% to 50%. A nasal cannula would be used to deliver no more than 4 liters per minute. An oxygen hood requires a liter flow of 10 to 15 liters per minute.

The nurse is caring for a 3-year-old girl with a respiratory disorder. The nurse anticipates the need for providing supplemental oxygen to the child when performing which action?

A) Suctioning a tracheostomy tube Rationale: Supplemental oxygenation may be necessary before, and is always performed after, suctioning a child with a tracheostomy tube. Providing tracheostomy care, administering drugs with a nebulizer, and suctioning with a bulb syringe do not require supplemental oxygen.

The nurse is caring for a 3-year-old girl with a respiratory disorder. The nurse anticipates the need for providing supplemental oxygen to the child when performing which intervention?

A) Suctioning a tracheostomy tube. Rationale: Supplemental oxygenation may be necessary before, and is always performed after, suctioning a child with a tracheostomy tube. Providing tracheostomy care, administering drugs with a nebulizer, and suctioning with a bulb syringe do not require supplemental oxygen.

A nursing instructor is preparing a class on chronic lung disease. What information would the instructor include when describing this disorder?

B) It is seen most commonly in premature infants. Rationale: Chronic lung disease, formerly known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, is often diagnosed in infants who have experienced respiratory distress syndrome, most commonly seen in premature infants. Male gender is a risk factor for development. Tachypnea and increased work of breathing are characteristic of chronic lung disease.

A nursing instructor is preparing a class on chronic lung disease. Which information would the instructor include when describing this disorder?

B) It is seen most commonly in premature infants. Rationale: Chronic lung disease, formerly known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, is often diagnosed in infants who have experienced respiratory distress syndrome, most commonly seen in premature infants. Male gender is a risk factor for development. Tachypnea and increased work of breathing are characteristic of chronic lung disease.

The nurse is preparing to perform a physical examination of a child with asthma. Which technique would the nurse be least likely to perform?

B) Palpation Rationale: When examining the child with asthma, the nurse would inspect, auscultate, and percuss. Palpation would not be used.

The nurse is examining an 8-year-old boy with tachycardia and tachypnea. The nurse anticipates which test as most helpful in determining the extent of the child's hypoxia

B) Pulse oximetry Rationale: Pulse oximetry is a useful tool for determining the extent of hypoxia. It can be used by the nurse for continuous or intermittent monitoring. Pulmonary function testing measures respiratory flow and lung volumes and is indicated for asthma, cystic fibrosis, and chronic lung disease. Peak expiratory flow testing is used to monitor the adequacy of asthma control. Chest radiographs can show hyperinflation, atelectasis, pneumonia, foreign bodies, pleural effusion, and abnormal heart or lung size.

The nurse is assessing a 5-year-old girl who is anxious, has a high fever, speaks in a whisper, and sits up with her necNkUtRhSruINstGfToBrw.CaOrMd. Based on these findings, what would be least appropriate for the nurse to perform?

B) Visualizing the throat Rationale: The child is exhibiting signs and symptoms of epiglottis, which can be life-threatening. Under no circumstances should the nurse attempt to visualize the throat. Reflex laryngospasm may occur, precipitating immediate airway occlusion. Providing 100% oxygen in the least invasive manner that is most acceptable to the child is a sound intervention, as is allowing the child to assume a position of sitting forward with the neck extended. Auscultation would reveal breath sounds consistent with an obstructed airway

A parent asks the nurse about immunizing her 7-month-old daughter against the flu. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?

C) "Since your daughter is older than 6 months, she should get the vaccine every year." Rationale: The current recommendations are for all children older than 6 months of age to be immunized yearly against influenza.

A child with a pneumothorax has a chest tube attached to a water seal system. When assessing the child, the nurse notices that the chest tube has become disconnected from the drainage system. What would the nurse do first?

C) Clamp the chest tube. Rationale: If a chest tube becomes disconnected from the water seal drainage system, the nurse would first clamp the chest tube to prevent air from entering the child's chest cavity. Then the nurse would perform a respiratory assessment and notify the physician. An occlusive dressing would be applied first if the chest tube became dislodged from the child's chest.

When performing the physical examination of a child with cystic fibrosis, what would the nurse expect to assess?

C) Decreased tactile fremitus Rationale: Examination of a child with cystic fibrosis typically reveals decreased tactile fremitus over areas of atelectasis, hyperresonance over the lung fields from air trapping, decreased diaphragmatic excursion, and dullness over the liver when enlarged.

A nurse is preparing a teaching program for a parenting group about preventing foreign body aspiration. What information would the nurse include?

C) If an object fits through a standard toilet paper roll, the child can aspirate it. Rationale: Items smaller than 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) can be aspirated easily. A simple way for parents to estimate the safe size of a small item or toy piece is to gauge its size against a standard toilet paper roll, which is generally about 1.5 inches in diameter. If it fits through the roll, it can be aspirated. Popcorn and peanuts should not be given to children until they are at least 3 years old. All coins should be kept out of the reach of children.

The nurse hears wheezing when auscultating a 4-year-old. Which condition would the nurse most likely rule out based on the assessment findings?

C) Influenza Rationale: Wheezing typically is not associated with influenza. Wheezing is caused by an obstruction of the bronchioles that may be caused by bronchiolitis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, or chronic lung disease. In addition, if the bronchiolitis is due to influenza, wheezing may be heard.

The nurse is discussing discharge instructions with the parents of a 6-year-old who had a tonsillectomy. What is the most important thing to stress

C) Inspect the throat for bleeding. Rationale: Inspecting the throat for bleeding is the most important discharge information to give the parents. Hemorrhage is unusual postoperatively but may occur any time from the immediate postoperative period to as late as 10 days after surgery. The nurse should inspect the throat for bleeding. Mucus tinged with blood may be expected, but fresh blood in the secretions indicates bleeding. Administering analgesics, encouraging fluids and applying an ice color are important but not as important as assessing for bleeding.

Bacterial pneumonia is suspected in a 4-year-old boy with fever, headache, and chest pain. Which assessment finding would most likely indicate the need for this child to be hospitalized?

C) Tachypnea with retractions Rationale: Pneumonia is usually a self-limiting disease. Children with bacterial pneumonia can be successfully managed at home if the work of breathing is not severe and oxygen saturation is within normal limits. Hospitalization would most likely be required for the child with tachypnea, significant retractions, poor oral intake, or lethargy for the administration of supplemental oxygen, intravenous hydration, and antibiotics. Fever, although common in children with pneumonia, would not necessitate hospitalization. An oxygen saturation level of 96% would be within normal limits. Pallor (pale skin color) occurs as a result of peripheral vasoconstriction in an effort to conserve oxygen for vital functions; this finding also would not necessitate hospitalization

The nurse is providing care to several children who have been brought to the clinic by the parents reporting cold-like symptoms. The nurse would most likely suspect sinusitis in which child?

D) A 7-year-old with halitosis and thick, yellow nasal discharge Rationale: The frontal sinuses, those most commonly associated with sinus infection, develop by age 6 to 8 years. Therefore, the 7-year-old would most likely experience sinusitis. In addition, this child also exhibits halitosis and a thick, yellow nasal discharge, other findings associated with sinusitis. Thin watery discharge in a 2-year-old is more likely to indicate allergic rhinitis. A 3-year-old with coughing and sneezing or a 5-year-old with nasal congestion and sore throat suggests the common cold.

The nurse is providing care to several children who have been brought to the clinic by the parents reporting cold-like symptoms. The nurse would most likely suspect sinusitis in which child?

D) A 7-year-old with halitosis and thick, yellow nasal discharge. Rationale: A parent asks the nurse about immunizing her 7-month-old daughter against the flu. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?

A child is brought to the emergency department by his parents because he suddenly developed a barking cough. Further assessment leads the nurse to suspect that the child is experiencing croup. What would the nurse have most likely assessed?

D) Inspiratory stridor Rationale: A child with croup typically develops a bark-like cough often at night. This may be accompanied by inspiratory stridor and suprasternal retractions. Temperature may be normal or slightly elevated. A high fever, dysphagia, and toxic appearance are associated with epiglottitis.