Peds exam 1 questions

312. The nurse is monitoring a child for bleeding after surgery for removal of a brain tumor. The nurse checks the head dressing for the presence of blood and notes a colorless drainage on the back of the dressing. Which action should the nurse perform immediately? 1. Notify the surgeon. 2. Reinforce the dressing. 3. Document the findings and continue to monitor. 4. Circle the area of drainage and continue to monitor.

312. Answer: 1 Rationale: Colorless drainage on the dressing in a child after craniotomy indicates the presence of cerebrospinal fluid and should be reported to the surgeon immediately. Options 2, 3, and 4 are not the immediate nursing action because they do not address the need for immediate intervention to prevent complications.

313. A child undergoes surgical removal of a brain tumor. During the postoperative period, the nurse notes that the child is restless, the pulse rate is elevated, and the blood pressure has decreased significantly from the baseline value. The nurse suspects that the child is in shock. Which is the most appropriate nursing action? 1. Place the child in a supine position. 2. Place the child in Trendelenburg's position. 3. Increase the flow rate of the intravenous fluids. 4. Notify the primary health care provider (PHCP).

313. Answer: 4 Rationale: In the event of shock, the PHCP is notified immediately before the nurse changes the child's position or increases intravenous fluids. After craniotomy, a child is never placed in the supine or Trendelenburg's position because it increases intracranial pressure (ICP) and the risk of bleeding. The head of the bed should be elevated. Increasing intravenous fluids can cause an increase in ICP.

314. The mother of a 4-year-old child tells the pediatric nurse that the child's abdomen seems to be swollen. During further assessment, the mother tells the nurse that the child is eating well and that the activity level of the child is unchanged. The nurse, suspecting the possibility of Wilms' tumor, should avoid which during the physical assessment? 1. Palpating the abdomen for a mass 2. Assessing the urine for the presence of hematuria 3. Monitoring the temperature for the presence of fever 4. Monitoring the blood pressure for the presence of hypertension

314. Answer: 1 Rationale: Wilms' tumor is the most common intra-abdominal and kidney tumor of childhood. If Wilms' tumor is suspected, the tumor mass should not be palpated by the nurse. Excessive manipulation can cause seeding of the tumor and spread of the cancerous cells. Hematuria, fever, and hypertension are clinical manifestations associated with Wilms' tumor.

315. The nurse provides a teaching session to the nursing staff regarding osteosarcoma. Which statement by a member of the nursing staff indicates a need for information? 1. "The femur is the most common site of this sarcoma." 2. "The child does not experience pain at the primary tumor site." 3. "Limping, if a weight-bearing limb is affected, is a clinical manifestation." 4. "The symptoms of the disease in the early stage are almost always attributed to normal growing pains."

315. Answer: 2 Rationale: Osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer in children. Cancer usually is found in the metaphysis of long bones, especially in the lower extremities, with most tumors occurring in the femur. Osteosarcoma is manifested clinically by progressive, insidious, and intermittent pain at the tumor site. By the time these children receive medical attention, they may be in considerable pain from the tumor. Options 1, 3, and 4 are accurate regarding osteosarcoma.

316. The nurse analyzes the laboratory values of a child with leukemia who is receiving chemotherapy. The nurse notes that the platelet count is 19,500 mm3 (19.5 × 10 9 /L). On the basis of this laboratory result, which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care? 1. Initiate bleeding precautions. 2. Monitor closely for signs of infection. 3. Monitor the temperature every 4 hours. 4. Initiate protective isolation precautions.

316. Answer: 1 Rationale: Leukemia is a malignant increase in the number of leukocytes, usually at an immature stage, in the bone marrow. It affects the bone marrow, causing anemia from decreased erythrocytes, infection from neutropenia, and bleeding from decreased platelet production (thrombocytopenia). If a child is has a low platelet count usually less than 50,000 mm3 (50.0 × 10 9 /L), bleeding precautions need to be initiated because of the increased risk of bleeding or hemorrhage. Precautions include limiting activity that could result in head injury, using soft toothbrushes, checking urine and stools for blood, and administering stool softeners to prevent straining with constipation. In addition, suppositories, enemas, and rectal temperatures are avoided. Options 2, 3, and 4 are related to the prevention of infection rather than bleedin

317. The nurse is monitoring a 3-year-old child for signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) after a craniotomy. The nurse plans to monitor for which early sign or symptom of increased ICP? 1. Vomiting 2. Bulging anterior fontanel 3. Increasing head circumference 4. Complaints of a frontal headache

317. Answer: 1 Rationale: The brain, although well protected by the solid bony cranium, is highly susceptible to pressure that may accumulate within the enclosure. Volume and pressure must remain constant within the brain. A change in the size of the brain, such as occurs with edema or increased volume of intracranial blood or cerebrospinal fluid without a compensatory change, leads to an increase in ICP, which may be life-threatening. Vomiting, an early sign of increased ICP, can become excessive as pressure builds up and stimulates the medulla in the brainstem, which houses the vomiting center. Children with open fontanels (posterior fontanel closes at 2 to 3 months; anterior fontanel closes at 12 to 18 months) compensate for ICP changes by skull expansion and subsequent bulging fontanels. When the fontanels have closed, nausea, excessive vomiting, diplopia, and headaches become pronounced, with headaches becoming more prevalent in older children

318. A 4-year-old child is admitted to the hospital for abdominal pain. The mother reports that the child has been pale and excessively tired and is bruising easily. On physical examination, lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly are noted. Diagnostic studies are being performed because acute lymphocytic leukemia is suspected. The nurse determines that which laboratory result confirms the diagnosis? 1. Lumbar puncture showing no blast cells 2. Bone marrow biopsy showing blast cells 3. Platelet count of 350,000 mm3 (350 × 10 9 /L) 4. White blood cell count 4500 mm3 (4.5 × 10 9 /L)

318. Answer: 2 Rationale: Leukemia is a malignant increase in the number of leukocytes, usually at an immature stage, in the bone marrow. The confirmatory test for leukemia is microscopic examination of bone marrow obtained by bone marrow aspirate and biopsy, which is considered positive if blast cells are present. An altered platelet count occurs as a result of the disease but also may occur as a result of chemotherapy and does not confirm the diagnosis. The white blood cell count may be normal, high, or low in leukemia. A lumbar puncture may be done to look for blast cells in the spinal fluid that indicate central nervous system disease.

319. A 6-year-old child with leukemia is hospitalized and is receiving combination chemotherapy. Laboratory results indicate that the child is neutropenic, and protective isolation procedures are initiated. The grandmother of the child visits and brings a fresh bouquet of flowers picked from her garden and asks the nurse for a vase for the flowers. Which response should the nurse provide to the grandmother? 1. "I have a vase in the utility room, and I will get it for you." 2. "I will get the vase and wash it well before you put the flowers in it." 3. "The flowers from your garden are beautiful, but should not be placed in the child's room at this time." 4. "When you bring the flowers into the room, place them on the bedside stand as far away from the child as possible."

319. Answer: 3 Rationale: Leukemia is a malignant increase in the number of leukocytes, usually at an immature stage, in the bone marrow. It affects the bone marrow, causing anemia from decreased erythrocytes, infection from neutropenia, and bleeding from decreased platelet production (thrombocytopenia). For a hospitalized neutropenic child, flowers or plants should not be kept in the room, because standing water and damp soil harbor Aspergillus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, to which the child is susceptible. In addition, fresh fruits and vegetables harbor molds and should be avoided until the white blood cell count increases.

320. A diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease is suspected in a 12-year-old child. Several diagnostic studies are performed to determine the presence of this disease. Which diagnostic test result will confirm the diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease? 1. Elevated vanillylmandelic acid urinary levels 2. The presence of blast cells in the bone marrow 3. The presence of Epstein-Barr virus in the blood 4. The presence of Reed-Sternberg cells in the lymph nodes

320. Answer: 4 Rationale: Hodgkin's disease (a type of lymphoma) is a malignancy of the lymph nodes. The presence of giant, multinucleated cells (Reed-Sternberg cells) is the classic characteristic of this disease. Elevated levels of vanillylmandelic acid in the urine may be found in children with neuroblastoma. The presence of blast cells in the bone marrow indicates leukemia. Epstein-Barr virus is associated with infectious mononucleosis.

321. Which specific nursing interventions are implemented in the care of a child with leukemia who is at risk for infection? Select all that apply. 1. Maintain the child in a semiprivate room. 2. Reduce exposure to environmental organisms. 3. Use strict aseptic technique for all procedures. 4. Ensure that anyone entering the child's room wears a mask. 5. Apply firm pressure to a needle-stick area for at least 10

321. Answer: 2, 3, 4 Rationale: Leukemia is a malignant increase in the number of leukocytes, usually at an immature stage, in the bone marrow. It affects the bone marrow, causing anemia from decreased erythrocytes, infection from neutropenia, and bleeding from decreased platelet production (thrombocytopenia). A common complication of treatment for leukemia is overwhelming infection secondary to neutropenia. Measures to prevent infection include the use of a private room, strict aseptic technique, restriction of visitors and health care personnel with active infection, strict hand washing, ensuring that anyone entering the child's room wears a mask, and reducing exposure to environmental organisms by eliminating raw fruits and vegetables from the diet and fresh flowers from the child's room and by not leaving standing water in the child's room. Applying firm pressure to a needle-stick area for at least 10 minutes is a measure to prevent bleeding.

322. The nurse is performing an assessment on a 10-year-old child suspected to have Hodgkin's disease. Which assessment findings are specifically characteristic of this disease? Select all that apply. 1. Abdominal pain 2. Fever and malaise 3. Anorexia and weight loss 4. Painful, enlarged inguinal lymph nodes 5. Painless, firm, and movable adenopathy in the cervical area

322. Answer: 1, 5 Rationale: Hodgkin's disease (a type of lymphoma) is a malignancy of the lymph nodes. Specific clinical manifestations associated with Hodgkin's disease include painless, firm, and movable adenopathy in the cervical and supraclavicular areas and abdominal pain as a result of enlarged retroperitoneal nodes. Hepatosplenomegaly also is noted. Although fever, malaise, anorexia, and weight loss are associated with Hodgkin's disease, these manifestations are seen in many disorders.

342. After a tonsillectomy, a child begins to vomit bright red blood. The nurse should take which initial action? 1. Turn the child to the side. 2. Administer the prescribed antiemetic. 3. Maintain NPO (nothing by mouth) status. 4. Notify the primary health care provider (PHCP).

342. Answer: 1 Rationale: After tonsillectomy, if bleeding occurs, the nurse immediately turns the child to the side to prevent aspiration and then notifies the PHCP. NPO status would be maintained, and an antiemetic may be prescribed; however, the initial nursing action would be to turn the child to the side.

343. The mother of a 6-year-old child arrives at a clinic because the child has been experiencing itchy, red, and swollen eyes. The nurse notes a discharge from the eyes and sends a culture to the laboratory for analysis. Chlamydial conjunctivitis is diagnosed. On the basis of this diagnosis, the nurse determines that which requires further investigation? 1. Possible trauma 2. Possible sexual abuse 3. Presence of an allergy 4. Presence of a respiratory infection

343. Answer: 2 Rationale: Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. A diagnosis of chlamydial conjunctivitis in a child who is not sexually active should signal the health care provider to assess the child for possible sexual abuse. Trauma, allergy, and infection can cause conjunctivitis, but the causative organism is not likely to be Chlamydia.

344. The nurse prepares a teaching plan for the mother of a child diagnosed with bacterial conjunctivitis. Which, if stated by the mother, indicates a need for further teaching? 1. "I need to wash my hands frequently." 2"I need to clean the eye as prescribed." 3. "It is okay to share towels and washcloths." 4. "I need to give the eye drops as prescribed."

344. Answer: 3 Rationale: Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. Bacterial conjunctivitis is highly contagious, and the nurse should teach infection control measures. These include good hand washing and not sharing towels and washcloths. Options 1, 2, and 4 are correct treatment measures.

345. The nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a child scheduled for a tonsillectomy. The nurse determines that which laboratory value is most significant to review? 1. Creatinine level 2. Prothrombin time 3. Sedimentation rate 4. Blood urea nitrogen level

345. Answer: 2 Rationale: A tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of the tonsils. Because the tonsillar area is so vascular, postoperative bleeding is a concern. Prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, platelet count, hemoglobin and hematocrit, white blood cell count, and urinalysis are performed preoperatively. The prothrombin time results would identify a potential for bleeding. Creatinine level, sedimentation rate, and blood urea nitrogen would not determine the potential for bleeding.

346. The nurse is preparing to care for a child after a tonsillectomy. The nurse documents on the plan of care to place the child in which position? 1. Supine 2. Side-lying 3. High-Fowler's 4. Trendelenburg's

346. Answer: 2 Rationale: A tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of the tonsils. The child should be placed in a prone or side-lying position after the surgical procedure to facilitate 1017drainage. Options 1, 3, and 4 would not achieve this goa

347. After a tonsillectomy, the nurse reviews the surgeon's postoperative prescriptions. Which prescription should the nurse question? 1. Monitor for bleeding. 2. Suction every 2 hours. 3. Give no milk or milk products. 4. Give clear, cool liquids when awake and alert.

347. Answer: 2 Rationale: A tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of the tonsils. After tonsillectomy, suction equipment should be available, but suctioning is not performed unless there is an airway obstruction because of the risk of trauma to the surgical site. Monitoring for bleeding is an important nursing intervention after any type of surgery. Milk and milk products are avoided initially because they coat the throat, cause the child to clear the throat, and increase the risk of bleeding. Clear, cool liquids are encouraged.

348. The nurse is caring for a child after a tonsillectomy. The nurse monitors the child, knowing that which finding indicates the child is bleeding? 1. Frequent swallowing 2. A decreased pulse rate 3. Complaints of discomfort 4. An elevation in blood pressure

348. Answer: 1 Rationale: A tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of the tonsils. Frequent swallowing, restlessness, a fast and thready pulse, and vomiting bright red blood are signs of bleeding. An elevated blood pressure and complaints of discomfort are not indications of bleeding.

349. Antibiotics are prescribed for a child with otitis media who underwent a myringotomy with insertion of tympanostomy tubes. The nurse provides discharge instructions to the parents regarding the administration of the antibiotics. Which statement, if made by the parents, indicates understanding of the instructions provided? 1. "Administer the antibiotics until they are gone." 2. "Administer the antibiotics if the child has a fever." 3. "Administer the antibiotics until the child feels better." 4. "Begin to taper the antibiotics after 3 days of a full course."

349. Answer: 1 Rationale: A myringotomy is the insertion of tympanoplasty tubes into the middle ear to promote drainage of purulent middle ear fluid, equalize pressure, and keep the ear aerated. The nurse must instruct parents regarding the administration of antibiotics. Antibiotics need to be taken as prescribed, and the full course needs to be completed. Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect. Antibiotics are not tapered but are administered for the full course of therapy.

350. The day care nurse is observing a 2-year-old child and suspects that the child may have strabismus. Which observation made by the nurse indicates the presence of this condition? 1. The child has difficulty hearing. 2. The child consistently tilts the head to see. 3. The child does not respond when spoken to. 4. The child consistently turns the head to hear.

350. Answer: 2 Rationale: Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes are not aligned because of lack of coordination of the extraocular muscles. The nurse may suspect strabismus in a child when the child complains of frequent headaches, squints, or tilts the head to see. Other manifestations include crossed eyes, closing one eye to see, diplopia, photophobia, loss of binocular vision, or impairment of depth perception. Options 1, 3, and 4 are not indicative of this condition.

351. A child has been diagnosed with acute otitis media of the right ear. Which interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care? Select all that apply 1. Provide a soft diet. 2. Position the child on the left side. 3. Administer an antihistamine twice daily. 4. Irrigate the right ear with normal saline every 8 hours. 5. Administer ibuprofen for fever every 4 hours as prescribed and as needed. 6. Instruct the parents about the need to administer the prescribed antibiotics for the full course of therapy.

351. Answer: 1, 5, 6 1019Rationale: Acute otitis media is an inflammatory disorder caused by an infection of the middle ear. The child often has fever, pain, loss of appetite, and possible ear drainage. The child also is irritable and lethargic and may roll the head or pull on or rub the affected ear. Otoscopic examination may reveal a red, opaque, bulging, and immobile tympanic membrane.

A 10-year-old child with asthma is treated for acute exacerbation in the emergency department. The nurse caring for the child should monitor for which sign, knowing that it indicates a worsening of the condition? 1. Warm, dry skin 2. Decreased wheezing 3. Pulse rate of 90 beats per minute 4. Respirations of 18 breaths per minute

352. Answer: 2 Rationale: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. Decreased wheezing in a child with asthma may be interpreted incorrectly as a positive sign when it may actually signal an inability to move air. A "silent chest" is an ominous sign during an asthma episode.

The mother of an 8-year-old child being treated for right lower lobe pneumonia at home calls the clinic nurse. The mother tells the nurse that the child complains of discomfort on the right side and that ibuprofen is not effective. Which instruction should the nurse provide to the mother? 1. Increase the dose of ibuprofen. 2. Increase the frequency of ibuprofen. 3. Encourage the child to lie on the left side. 4. Encourage the child to lie on the right side.

353. Answer: 4 Rationale: Pneumonia is an inflammation of the pulmonary parenchyma or alveoli, or both, caused by a virus, mycoplasmal agents, bacteria, or aspiration of foreign substances. Splinting of the affected side by lying on that side may decrease discomfort. It would be inappropriate to advise the mother to increase the dose or frequency of the ibuprofen. Lying on the left side would not be helpful in alleviating discomfort.

354. A new parent expresses concern to the nurse regarding sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). She asks the nurse how to position her new infant for sleep. In which position should the nurse tell the parent to place the infant? 1. Side or prone 2. Back or prone 3. Stomach with the face turned 4. Back rather than on the stomach

354. Answer: 4 Rationale: SIDS is the unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant younger than 1 year for whom an investigation of the death and a thorough autopsy fail to show an adequate cause of death. Several theories are proposed regarding the cause, but the exact cause is unknown. Nurses should encourage parents to place the infant on the back (supine) for sleep. Infants in the prone position (on the stomach) may be unable to move their heads to the side, increasing the risk of suffocation. The infant may have the ability to turn to a prone position from the side-lying position.

355. The clinic nurse is providing instructions to a parent of a child with cystic fibrosis regarding the immunization schedule for the child. Which statement should the nurse make to the parent? 1. "The immunization schedule will need to be altered." 2. "The child should not receive any hepatitis vaccines." 3. "The child will receive all of the immunizations except for the polio series." 4. "The child will receive the recommended basic series of immunizations along with a yearly influenza vaccination."

355. Answer: 4 Rationale: Cystic fibrosis is a chronic multisystem disorder (autosomal recessive trait disorder) characterized by exocrine gland dysfunction. The mucus produced by the exocrine glands is abnormally thick, tenacious, and copious, causing obstruction of the small passageways of the affected organs, particularly in the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive systems. Adequately protecting children with cystic fibrosis from communicable diseases by immunization is essential. In addition to the basic series of immunizations, a yearly influenza immunization is recommended for children with cystic fibrosis.

356. The emergency department nurse is caring for a child diagnosed with epiglottitis. In assessing the child, the nurse should monitor for which indication that the child may be experiencing airway obstruction? 1. The child exhibits nasal flaring and bradycardia. 2. The child is leaning forward, with the chin thrust out. 3. The child has a low-grade fever and complains of a sore throat. 4. The child is leaning backward, supporting herself or himself with the hands and arms.

356. Answer: 2 Rationale: Epiglottitis is a bacterial form of croup. A primary concern is that it can progress to acute respiratory distress. Clinical manifestations suggestive of airway obstruction include tripod positioning (leaning forward while supported by arms, chin thrust out, mouth open), nasal flaring, the use of accessory muscles for breathing, and the presence of stridor. Option 4 is an incorrect position. Options 1 and 3 are incorrect because epiglottitis causes tachycardia and a high fever.

357. A child with laryngotracheobronchitis (croup) is placed in a cool mist tent. The mother becomes concerned because the child is frightened, consistently crying, and trying to climb out of the tent. Which is the most appropriate nursing action? 1. Tell the mother that the child must stay in the tent. 2. Place a toy in the tent to make the child feel more comfortable. 3. Call the pediatrician and obtain a prescription for a mild sedative. 4. Let the mother hold the child and direct the cool mist over the child's face.

357. Answer: 4 Rationale: Laryngotracheobronchitis (croup) is the inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi and is the most common type of croup. Cool mist therapy may be prescribed to liquefy secretions and to assist in breathing. If the use of a tent or hood is causing distress, treatment may be more effective if the child is held by the parent and a cool mist is directed toward the child's face (blow-by). A mild sedative would not be administered to the child. Crying would increase hypoxia and aggravate laryngospasm, which may cause airway obstruction.

358. The clinic nurse reads the results of a tuberculin skin test (TST) on a 3-yearold child. The results indicate an area of induration measuring 10 mm. The nurse should interpret these results as which finding? 1. Positive 2. Negative 3. Inconclusive 4. Definitive and requiring a repeat test

358. Answer: 1 Rationale: Induration measuring 10 mm or more is considered to be a positive result in children younger than 4 years of age and in children with chronic illness or at high risk for exposure to tuberculosis. A reaction of 5 mm or more is considered to be a positive result for the highest risk groups, such as a child with an immunosuppressive condition or a child with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. A reaction of 15 mm or more is positive in children 4 years or older without any risk factors.

359. The mother of a hospitalized 2-year-old child with viral laryngotracheobronchitis (croup) asks the nurse why the pediatrician did not prescribe antibiotics. Which response should the nurse make? 1. "The child may be allergic to antibiotics." 2. "The child is too young to receive antibiotics." 3. "Antibiotics are not indicated unless a bacterial infection is present." 4. "The child still has the maternal antibodies from birth and does not need antibiotics."

359. Answer: 3 Rationale: Laryngotracheobronchitis (croup) is the inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi and is the most common type of croup. It can be viral or bacterial. Antibiotics are not indicated in the treatment of croup unless a bacterial infection is present. Options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect. In addition, no supporting data in the question indicate that the child may be allergic to antibiotics.

360. The nurse is caring for an infant with bronchiolitis, and diagnostic tests have confirmed respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). On the basis of this finding, which is the most appropriate nursing action? 1. Initiate strict enteric precautions. 2. Move the infant to a private room. 3. Leave the infant in the present room, because RSV is not contagious. 4. Inform the staff that using standard precautions is all that is necessary when caring for the child.

360. Answer: 2 Rationale: RSV is a highly communicable disorder and is transmitted via droplets and direct contact with respiratory secretions. Use of contact, droplet, and standard precautions during care is necessary. Using good hand-washing technique and wearing gloves, gown, and a mask should be done to prevent transmission. An infant with RSV should be placed in a private room to prevent transmission. Enteric precautions are unnecessary.

361. The nurse is preparing for the admission of an infant with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Which interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care? Select all that apply. 1. Place the infant in a private room. 2. Ensure that the infant's head is in a flexed position. 3. Wear a mask, gown, and gloves when in contact with the infant. 4. Place the infant in a tent that delivers warm humidified air. 5. Position the infant on the side, with the head lower than the chest. 6. Ensure that nurses caring for the infant with RSV do not care for other high-risk children.

361. Answer: 1, 3, 6 Rationale: RSV is a highly communicable disorder and is transmitted via droplets or contact with respiratory secretions. Use of contact, droplet, and standard precautions during care (wearing gloves, mask, and a gown) reduces nosocomial transmission of RSV. In addition, it is important to ensure that nurses caring for a child with RSV do not care for other high-risk children to prevent the transmission of the infection. An infant with RSV should be placed in a private room. The infant should be positioned with the head and chest at a 30- to 40-degree angle and the neck slightly extended to maintain an open airway and decrease pressure on the diaphragm. Cool humidified oxygen is delivered to relieve dyspnea, hypoxemia, and insensible water loss from tachypnea.