Chapter 39: Pediatric Variations of Nursing Interventions
Katie, 4 years old, is admitted to outpatient surgery for removal of a cyst on her foot. Her mother puts the hospital gown on her, but Katie is crying because she wants to leave on her underpants. The most appropriate nursing action is to: a. Allow her to wear her underpants. b. Discuss with her mother why this is important to Katie. c. Ask her mother to explain to her why she cannot wear them. d. Explain in a kind, matter-of-fact manner that this is hospital policy.
ANS: A
The nurse is planning how to best prepare a 4-year-old child for some diagnostic procedures. Guidelines for preparing this preschooler should include: a. Planning for a short teaching session of about 30 minutes. b. Telling the child that procedures are never a form of punishment. c. Keeping equipment out of the child's view. d. Using correct scientific and medical terminology in explanations.
ANS: B
What should the nurse consider when having consent forms signed for surgery and procedures on children? a. Only a parent or legal guardian can give consent. b. The person giving consent must be at least 18 years old. c. The risks and benefits of a procedure are part of the consent process. d. A mental age of 7 years or older is required for a consent to be considered "informed."
ANS: C The informed consent must include the nature of the procedure, benefits and risks, and alternatives to the procedure. In special circumstances such as emancipated minors, the consent can be given by someone younger than 18 years without the parent or legal guardian. A mental age of 7 years is too young for consent to be informed.
A 2-year-old child is being admitted to the hospital for possible bacterial meningitis. When preparing for a lumbar puncture, the nurse's best action is to: a. Prepare child for conscious sedation during the test. b. Set up a tray with equipment the same size as for adults. c. Reassure the parents that the test is simple, painless, and risk free. d. Apply EMLA to puncture site 15 minutes before procedure.
ANSWER: A
A 6-year-old child is hospitalized for intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy. He eats little on his "regular diet" trays. He tells the nurse that all he wants to eat is pizza, tacos, and ice cream. Which is the best nursing action? a. Request these favorite foods for him. b. Identify healthier food choices that he likes. c. Explain that he needs fruits and vegetables. d. Reward him with ice cream at the end of every meal that he eats.
ANSWER: A
Kimberly, age 3 years, has a fever associated with a viral illness. Her mother calls the nurse, reporting a fever of 102° F even though Kimberly had acetaminophen 2 hours ago. The nurse's action should be based on knowing that: a. Fevers such as this are common with viral illnesses. b. Seizures are common in children when antipyretics are ineffective. c. Fever over 102° F indicates greater severity of illness. d. Fever over 102° F indicates a probable bacterial infection.
ANSWER: A
The nurse gives an injection in a patient's room. What should the nurse do with the needle for disposal? a. Dispose of syringe and needle in a rigid, puncture-resistant container in patient's room. b. Dispose of syringe and needle in a rigid, puncture-resistant container in an area outside of patient's room. c. Cap needle immediately after giving injection and dispose of in proper container. d. Cap needle, break from syringe, and dispose of in proper container.
ANSWER: A
The nurse wore gloves during a dressing change. When the gloves are removed, the nurse should: a. Wash hands thoroughly. b. Check the gloves for leaks. c. Rinse gloves in disinfectant solution. d. Apply new gloves before touching the next patient.
ANSWER: A
What is critical information for the nurse to incorporate into her care when using restraints on a child? a. Use the least restrictive type of restraint. b. Tie knots securely so they cannot be untied easily. c. Secure the ties to the mattress or side rails. d. Remove restraints every 4 hours to assess skin.
ANSWER: A
When liquid medication is given to a crying 10-month-old infant, which approach minimizes the possibility of aspiration? a. Administering the medication with a syringe (without needle) placed along the side of the infant's tongue b. Administering the medication as rapidly as possible with the infant securely restrained c. Mixing the medication with the infant's regular formula or juice and administering by bottle d. Keeping the child upright with the nasal passages blocked for a minute after administration
ANSWER: A
When teaching a mother how to administer eyedrops, where should the nurse tell her to place them? a. In the conjunctival sac that is formed when the lower lid is pulled down b. Carefully under the upper eyelid while it is gently pulled upward c. On the sclera while the child looks to the side d. Anywhere as long as drops contact the eye's surface
ANSWER: A
The nurse is teaching a mother how to perform chest physiotherapy and postural drainage on her 3-year-old child, who has cystic fibrosis. To enable the mother to perform percussion, the nurse should instruct her to: a. Cover the skin with a shirt or gown before percussing. b. Strike the chest wall with a flat-hand position. c. Percuss over the entire trunk anteriorly and posteriorly. d. Percuss before positioning for postural drainage.
ANSWER: A For postural drainage and percussion, the child should be dressed in a light shirt to protect the skin and placed in the appropriate postural drainage positions. The chest wall is struck with a cupped-hand, not a flat-hand, position. The procedure should be done over the rib cage only. Positioning precedes the percussion.
. A child is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN; hyperalimentation). At the end of 8 hours, the nurse observes the solution and notes that 200 mL/8 hr is being infused rather than the ordered amount of 300 mL/8 hr. The nurse should adjust the rate so that how much will infuse during the next 8 hours? a. 200 Ml b. 300 mL c. 350 mL d. 400 mL
ANSWER: B
A venipuncture will be performed on a 7-year-old girl. She wants her mother to hold her during the procedure. The nurse should recognize that this: a. Is unsafe. b. May help the child relax. c. Is against hospital policy. d. Is unnecessary because of the child's age.
ANSWER: B
An important nursing consideration when performing a bladder catheterization on a young boy is to: a. Use clean technique, not Standard Precautions. b. Insert 2% lidocaine lubricant into the urethra. c. Lubricate catheter with water-soluble lubricant such as K-Y Jelly. d. Delay catheterization for 20 minutes while anesthetic lubricant is absorbed.
ANSWER: B
Guidelines for intramuscular administration of medication in school-age children include to: a. Inject medication as rapidly as possible. b. Insert the needle quickly, using a dartlike motion. c. Penetrate the skin immediately after cleansing the site, before skin has dried. d. Have the child stand, if possible, and if he or she is cooperative.
ANSWER: B
In preparing to give "enemas until clear" to a young child, the nurse should select: a. Tap water. b. Normal saline. c. Oil retention d. Fleet solution.
ANSWER: B
The nurse has just collected blood by venipuncture in the antecubital fossa. Which should the nurse do next? a. Keep arm extended while applying a bandage to the site. b. Keep arm extended, and apply pressure to the site for a few minutes. c. Apply a bandage to the site, and keep the arm flexed for 10 minutes. d. Apply a gauze pad or cotton ball to the site, and keep the arm flexed for several minutes.
ANSWER: B
Using knowledge of child development, the best approach when preparing a toddler for a procedure is to: a. Avoid asking the child to make choices. b. Demonstrate the procedure on a doll. c. Plan for the teaching session to last about 20 minutes. d. Show necessary equipment without allowing child to handle it.
ANSWER: B
What is the most appropriate statement for the nurse to make to a 5-year-old child who is undergoing a venipuncture? a. "You must hold still or I'll have someone hold you down. This is not going to hurt." b. "This will hurt like a pinch. I'll get someone to help hold your arm still so it will be over fast and hurt less." c. "Be a big boy and hold still. This will be over in just a second." d. "I'm sending your mother out so she won't be scared. You are big, so hold still and this will be over soon."
ANSWER: B
Which information should the nurse include in teaching parents how to care for a child's gastrostomy tube at home? a. Never turn the gastrostomy button. b. Clean around the insertion site daily with soap and water. c. Expect some leakage around the button. d. Remove the tube for cleaning once a week.
ANSWER: B
A critically ill child has hyperthermia. The parents ask the nurse to give an antipyretic such as acetaminophen (Tylenol). The nurse should explain that antipyretics: a. May cause malignant hyperthermia. b. May cause febrile seizures. c. Are of no value in treating hyperthermia. d. Are of limited value in treating hyperthermia.
ANSWER: C
A nurse must do a venipuncture on a 6-year-old child. An important consideration in providing atraumatic care is to: a. Use an 18-gauge needle if possible. b. If not successful after four attempts, have another nurse try. c. Restrain the child only as needed to perform venipuncture safely. d. Show the child equipment to be used before procedure.
ANSWER: C
An appropriate method for administering oral medications that are bitter to an infant or small child would be to mix them with: a. A bottle of formula or milk. b. Any food the child is going to eat. c. A small amount (1 teaspoon) of a sweet-tasting substance such as jam or ice cream. d. Large amounts of water to dilute medication sufficiently.
ANSWER: C
Frequent urine testing for specific gravity and glucose are required on a 6-month-old infant. The most appropriate way to collect small amounts of urine for these tests is to: a. Apply a urine-collection bag to the perineal area. b. Tape a small medicine cup to the inside of the diaper. c. Aspirate urine from cotton balls inside the diaper with a syringe. d. Aspirate urine from a superabsorbent disposable diaper with a syringe.
ANSWER: C
In some genetically susceptible children, anesthetic agents can trigger malignant hyperthermia. The nurse should be alert in observing that, in addition to an increased temperature, an early sign of this disorder is: a. Apnea. b. Bradycardia. c. Muscle rigidity d. Decreased blood pressure.
ANSWER: C
Nursing considerations related to the administration of oxygen in an infant include to: a. Humidify the oxygen if the infant can tolerate it. b. Assess the infant to determine how much oxygen should be given. c. Ensure uninterrupted delivery of the appropriate oxygen concentration. d. Direct the oxygen flow so that it blows directly into the infant's face in a hood.
ANSWER: C
Tepid water or sponge baths are indicated for hyperthermia in children. The nurse should: a. Add isopropyl alcohol to the water. b. Direct a fan on the child in the bath. c. Stop the bath if the child begins to chill. d. Continue the bath for 5 minutes.
ANSWER: C
The emergency department nurse is cleaning multiple facial abrasions on 9-year-old Mike. His mother is present. He is crying and screaming loudly. The nurse should: a. Ask him to be quieter. b. Have his mother tell him to relax. c. Tell him it is okay to cry and scream. d. Suggest that he talk to his mother instead of crying.
ANSWER: C
The nurse is caring for an unconscious child. Skin care should include: a. Avoiding use of pressure reduction on the bed. b. Massaging reddened bony prominences to prevent deep tissue damage. c. Using draw sheet to move child in bed to reduce friction and shearing injuries. d. Avoiding rinsing skin after cleansing with mild antibacterial soap to provide a protective barrier.
ANSWER: C
The nurse must suction a child with a tracheostomy. Interventions should include: a. Encouraging the child to cough to raise the secretions before suctioning. b. Selecting a catheter with a diameter three-fourths as large as the diameter of the tracheostomy tube. c. Ensuring that each pass of the suction catheter take no longer than 5 seconds. d. Allowing the child to rest after every 5 times the suction catheter is passed.
ANSWER: C
What nursing action is appropriate for specimen collection? a. Follow sterile technique for specimen collection. b. Sterile gloves are worn if the nurse plans to touch the specimen. c. Use Standard Precautions when handling body fluids. d. Avoid wearing gloves in front of the child and family.
ANSWER: C
An 8-month-old infant is restrained to prevent interference with the intravenous infusion. The nurse should: a. Remove the restraints once a day to allow movement. b. Keep the restraints on constantly. c. Keep the restraints secure so the infant remains supine. d. Remove the restraints whenever possible.
ANSWER: D
An appropriate intervention to encourage food and fluid intake in a hospitalized child is to: a. Force child to eat and drink to combat caloric losses. b. Discourage participation in noneating activities until caloric intake is sufficient. c. Administer large quantities of flavored fluids at frequent intervals and during meals. d. Give high-quality foods and snacks whenever child expresses hunger.
ANSWER: D
It is important to make certain that sensory connectors and oximeters are compatible since wiring that is incompatible can cause: a. Hyperthermia. b. Electrocution. c. Pressure necrosis. d. Burns under sensors.
ANSWER: D
The nurse approaches a group of school-age patients to administer medication to Sam Hart. To identify the correct child, the nurse should: a. Ask the group, "Who is Sam Hart?" b. Call out to the group, "Sam Hart?" c. Ask each child, "What's your name?" d. Check the patient's identification name band.
ANSWER: D
The nurse is doing a prehospitalization orientation for a 7-year-old child who is scheduled for cardiac surgery. As part of the preparation, the nurse explains that she will not be able to talk because of an endotracheal tube but that she will be able to talk when it is removed. This explanation is: a. Unnecessary. b. The surgeon's responsibility. c. Too stressful for a young child. d. An appropriate part of the child's preparation.
ANSWER: D
The nurse must do a heel stick on an ill neonate to obtain a blood sample. Which procedure is recommended to facilitate this? a. Apply cool, moist compresses. b. Apply a tourniquet to the ankle. c. Elevate the foot for 5 minutes d. Wrap foot in a warm washcloth.
ANSWER: D
When administering a gavage feeding to a school-age child, the nurse should: a. Lubricate the tip of the feeding tube with Vaseline to facilitate passage. b. Check the placement of the tube by inserting 20 mL of sterile water. c. Administer feedings over 5 to 10 minutes. d. Position the child on the right side after administering the feeding.
ANSWER: D
When caring for a child with an intravenous infusion, the nurse should: a. Use a macrodropper to facilitate reaching the prescribed flow rate. b. Avoid restraining the child to prevent undue emotional stress. c. Change the insertion site every 24 hours. d. Observe the insertion site frequently for signs of infiltration.
ANSWER: D
Which is the preferred site for intramuscular injections in infants? a. Deltoid b. Dorsogluteal c. Rectus femoris d. Vastus lateralis
ANSWER: D
The nurse is preparing a 12-year-old girl for a bone marrow aspiration. She tells the nurse that she wants her mother with her "like before." The most appropriate nursing action is to: a. Grant her request. b. Explain why this is not possible. c. Identify an appropriate substitute for her mother. d. Offer to provide support to her during the procedure.
ANSWER: A The parents' preferences for assisting, observing, or waiting outside the room should be assessed, as well as the child's preference for parental presence. The child's choice should be respected. If the mother and child are agreeable, the mother is welcome to stay. An appropriate substitute for the mother is necessary only if the mother does not wish to stay. Support is offered to the child regardless of parental presence.
A 2-year-old child comes to the emergency department with dehydration and hypovolemic shock. What best explains why an intraosseous infusion is started? a. It is less painful for small children. b. Rapid venous access is not possible. c. Antibiotics must be started immediately. d. Long-term central venous access is not possible.
ANSWER: B In situations in which rapid establishment of systemic access is vital and venous access is hampered, such as peripheral circulatory collapse and hypovolemic shock, intraosseous infusion provides a rapid, safe lifesaving alternative. The procedure is painful, and local anesthesia and systemic analgesia are given. Antibiotics could be given when vascular access is obtained. Long-term central venous access is time consuming, and intraosseous infusion is used in an emergency situation.
Which nursing action is the most appropriate when applying a face mask to a child for oxygen therapy? a. Set the oxygen flow rate at less than 6 L/min. b. Make sure the mask fits properly. c. Keep the child warm. d. Remove the mask for 5 minutes every hour.
ANSWER; B
A nurse is caring for a child in Droplet Precautions. Which instructions should the nurse give to the unlicensed assistive personnel caring for this child (Select all that apply)? a. Wear gloves when entering the room. b. Wear an isolation gown when entering the room. c. Place the child in a special air handling and ventilation room. d. A mask should be worn only when holding the child. e. Wash your hands upon exiting the room.
ANSWERS: A,B,E
The advantages of the ventrogluteal muscle as an injection site in young children include which of the following (Select all that apply)? a. Less painful than vastus lateralis b. Free of important nerves and vascular structures c. Cannot be used when child reaches a weight of 20 pounds d. Increased subcutaneous fat, which increases drug absorption e. Easily identified by major landmarks
ANSWERS: A,B,E
The nurse is preparing for the admission of an infant who will have several procedures performed. In which situation is informed consent required (Select all that apply)? a. Catheterized urine collection b. Intravenous (IV) line insertion c. Oxygen administration d. Lumbar puncture e. Computed tomography (CT) scan with contrast
ANSWERS: D, E
