Ped's Study Party!!

The nurse is planning care for a school-age child with bacterial meningitis. What intervention should be included? a. Keep environmental stimuli to a minimum. b. Have the child move her head from side to side at least every 2 hours. c. Avoid giving pain medications that could dull sensorium. d. Measure head circumference to assess developing complications.

ANS: A The room is kept as quiet as possible and environmental stimuli are kept to a minimum. Most children with meningitis are sensitive to noise, bright lights, and other external stimuli. The nuchal rigidity associated with meningitis would make moving the head from side to side a painful intervention. If pain is present, the child should be treated appropriately. Failure to treat can cause increased intracranial pressure. In this age group, the head circumference does not change. Signs of increased intracranial pressure would need to be assessed.

The nurse is preparing an airborne infection isolation room for a patient. Which communicable disease does the patient likely have? a. Varicella b. Pertussis c. Influenza d. Scarlet fever

ANS: A An airborne infection isolation room is the isolation for persons with a suspected or confirmed airborne infectious disease transmitted by the airborne route such as measles, varicella, or tuberculosis. Pertussis, influenza, and scarlet fever require droplet transmission precautions.

When caring for a child after a tonsillectomy, what intervention should the nurse do? a. Watch for continuous swallowing. b. Encourage gargling to reduce discomfort. c. Apply warm compresses to the throat. d. Position the child on the back for sleeping.

ANS: A Continuous swallowing, especially while sleeping, is an early sign of bleeding. The child swallows the blood that is trickling from the operative site. Gargling is discouraged because it could irritate the operative site. Ice compresses are recommended to reduce inflammation. The child should be positioned on the side or abdomen to facilitate drainage of secretions.

Nursing care of the child with Kawasaki disease is challenging because of which occurrence? a. The child's irritability b. Predictable disease course c. Complex antibiotic therapy d. The child's ongoing requests for food

ANS: A Patient irritability is a hallmark of Kawasaki disease and is the most challenging problem. A quiet environment is necessary to promote rest. The diagnosis is often difficult to make, and the course of the disease can be unpredictable. Intravenous gamma globulin and salicylates are the therapy of choice, not antibiotics. The child often is reluctant to eat. Soft foods and fluids should be offered to prevent dehydration.

The mother of a kindergartner tells the nurse that her daughter is constantly scratching behind her ears. The nurse suspects pediculosis capitis (head lice). What does the nurse expect to find during the physical assessment? a. Small grayish-brown threadlike lines b. Scaly patches within areas of alopecia c. Streaked blisters surrounding a larger one d. White spots attached to the bases of hair shafts

ANS: D Pediculosis capitis (head lice) are common among enclosed groups of children, especially those in nursery and primary schools. The eggs (nits) adhere to the hair shafts about an inch from the scalp. They are commonly found behind the ears and at the nape of the neck. Brownish lines on the skin are indicative of scabies, which is a mite infestation. Scaly patches in areas with no hair are associated with childhood atopic dermatitis (eczema). Blisters are typical of tinea capitis (ringworm), which is caused by a fungal infection.

What is a major goal for the therapeutic management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)? a. Control pain and preserve joint function. b. Minimize use of joint and achieve cure. c. Prevent skin breakdown and relieve symptoms. d. Reduce joint discomfort and regain proper alignment.

ANS: A The goals of therapy are to control pain, preserve joint range of motion and function, minimize the effects of inflammation, and promote normal growth and development. There is no cure for JIA at this time. Skin breakdown is not an issue for most children with JIA. Symptom relief and reduction in discomfort are important. When the joints are damaged, it is often irreversible.

A 4-month-old infant comes to the clinic for a well-infant checkup. Immunizations she should receive are DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis) and IPV (inactivated poliovirus vaccine). She is recovering from a cold but is otherwise healthy and afebrile. Her older sister has cancer and is receiving chemotherapy. Nursing considerations should include which? a. DTaP and IPV can be safely given. b. DTaP and IPV are contraindicated because she has a cold. c. IPV is contraindicated because her sister is immunocompromised. d. DTaP and IPV are contraindicated because her sister is immunocompromised.

ANS: A These immunizations can be given safely. Serious illness is a contraindication. A mild illness with or without fever is not a contraindication. These are not live vaccines, so they do not pose a risk to her sister.

The parents of a 3-month-old infant report that their infant sleeps supine (face up) but is often prone (face down) while awake. The nurse's response should be based on remembering what? a. This is acceptable to encourage head control and turning over. b. This is acceptable to encourage fine motor development. c. This is unacceptable because of the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). d. This is unacceptable because it does not encourage achievement of developmental milestones.

ANS: A These parents are implementing the guidelines to reduce the risk of SIDS. Infants should sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS and then be placed on their abdomens when awake to enhance achievement of milestones such as head control. These position changes encourage gross motor, not fine motor, development.

The nurse is caring for a 6-year-old child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The parent states, "My child has a low platelet count, and we are being discharged this afternoon. What do I need to do at home?" What statement is most appropriate for the nurse to make? a. "You should give your child aspirin instead of acetaminophen for fever or pain." b. "Your child should avoid contact sports or activities that could cause bleeding." c. "You should feed your child a bland, soft, moist diet for the next week." d. "Your child should avoid large groups of people for the next week."

ANS: B A child with a low platelet count needs to avoid activities that could cause bleeding such as playing contact sports, climbing trees, using playground equipment, or bike riding. The child should be given acetaminophen, not aspirin, for fever or pain; the child does not need to be on a soft, bland diet or avoid large groups of people because of the low platelet count.

What is the single most prevalent cause of disability in children and responsible for the recent increase in childhood disability? a. Cancer b. Asthma c. Seizures d. Heart disease

ANS: B Asthma is the single most prevalent cause of disability in children and has been largely responsible for much of the recent increase in childhood disability

The nurse should suspect a child has cerebral palsy (CP) if the parent says what? a. "My 6-month-old baby is rolling from back to prone now." b. "My 4-month-old doesn't lift his head when on his tummy." c. "My 8-month-old can sit without support." d. "My 10-month-old is not walking."

ANS: B Delayed gross motor development is a universal manifestation of CP. The child shows a delay in all motor accomplishments, and the discrepancy between motor ability and expected achievement tends to increase with successive developmental milestones as growth advances. The infant who does not lift his head when on the tummy is showing a gross motor delay, as that is seen at 0 to 3 months. The other statements are within normal growth and development expectations.

The nurse is preparing to give digoxin (Lanoxin) to a 9-month-old infant. The nurse checks the dose and draws up 4 ml of the drug. The most appropriate nursing action is which? a. Mix the dose with juice to disguise its taste. b. Do not give the dose; suspect a dosage error. c. Check the heart rate; administer digoxin if the rate is greater than 100 beats/min. d. Check the heart rate; administer digoxin if the rate is greater than 80 beats/min.

ANS: B Infants rarely receive more than 1 ml (50 mcg, or 0.05 mg) of digoxin in one dose; a higher dose is an immediate warning of a dosage error. To ensure safety, compare the calculation with that of another staff member before giving digoxin.

A nurse is teaching parents about growth and development in preadolescent girls, and a mother asks at what age her daughter will have her first period. What is the most accurate response by the nurse? a. Before the pubic hair appears b. At the end of the growth spurt c. Near the age when their mothers did d. Around the time when the breasts develop

ANS: B Menarche occurs when the prepubertal growth spurt is almost completed and after the primary and secondary sexual characteristics are almost fully developed. Pubic hair is seen about 6 months after the breast buds appear; the buds appear earlier than menarche. Although there may be a familial tendency to reach menarche at the same age as the mother, there are too many variables for this to be used as a guideline. The breast buds become noticeable about 2 years before menarche; they are the first secondary sexual characteristic to appear.

A feeling of guilt that the child "caused" the disability or illness is especially common in which age group? a. Toddler b. Preschooler c. School-age child d. Adolescent

ANS: B Preschoolers are most likely to be affected by feelings of guilt that they caused the illness or disability or are being punished for wrongdoings. Toddlers are focused on establishing their autonomy. The illness fosters dependency. School-age children have limited opportunities for achievement and may not be able to understand limitations. Adolescents face the task of incorporating their disabilities into their changing self-concept.

A 16-year-old boy with a chronic illness has recently become rebellious and is taking risks such as missing doses of his medication. What should the nurse explain to his parents? a. That he needs more discipline b. That this is a normal part of adolescence c. That he needs more socialization with peers d. That this is how he is asking for more parental control

ANS: B Risk taking, rebelliousness, and lack of cooperation are normal parts of adolescence, during which young adults are establishing independence. If the parents increase the amount of discipline, he will most likely be more rebellious. More socialization with peers does not address the problem of risk-taking behavior.

When giving instructions to a parent whose child has scabies, what should the nurse include? a. Treat all family members if symptoms develop. b. Be prepared for symptoms to last 2 to 3 weeks. c. Carefully treat only areas where there is a rash. d. Notify practitioner so an antibiotic can be prescribed.

ANS: B The mite responsible for the scabies will most likely be killed with the administration of medications. It will take 2 to 3 weeks for the stratum corneum to heal. That is when the symptoms will abate. Initiation of therapy does not wait for clinical symptom development. All individuals in close contact with the affected child need to be treated. Permethrin, a scabicide, is the preferred treatment and is applied to all skin surfaces.

What finding is a clinical manifestation of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in children? a. Low-pitched cry b. Sunken fontanel c. Diplopia, blurred vision d. Increased blood pressure

ANS: C Diplopia and blurred vision are signs of increased ICP in children. A high-pitched cry and a tense or bulging fontanel are characteristic of increased ICP. Increased blood pressure, common in adults, is rarely seen in children.

When does idiopathic scoliosis become most noticeable? a. In the newborn period b. When the child starts to walk c. During the preadolescent growth spurt d. During adolescence

ANS: C Idiopathic scoliosis is most noticeable during the preadolescent growth spurt. It is seldom apparent before age 10 years.

After spinal fusion surgery the nurse should check for signs of what? a. Seizure activity b. Increased intracranial pressure c. Impaired color, sensitivity, and movement to the lower extremities d. Impaired pupillary response during neurologic checks

ANS: C In addition to the usual postoperative assessments of wound, circulation, and vital signs, the neurologic status of the patient's extremities requires special attention. Prompt recognition of any neurologic impairment is imperative because delayed paralysis may develop that requires surgical intervention.

During a well-child visit, the mother tells the nurse that her 4-month-old infant is constipated, is less active than usual, and has a weak-sounding cry. The nurse suspects botulism and questions the mother about the child's diet. What factor should support this diagnosis? a. Breastfeeding b. Commercial formula c. Infant cereal with honey d. Improperly sterilized bottles

ANS: C Ingestion of honey is a risk factor for infant botulism in the United States. Honey should not be given to children younger than the age of 1 year. Botulism is not found with the use of commercial infant cereals. Although there is a slight increase in botulism in breastfed infants when compared with formula-fed infants, there is not sufficient evidence to support formula feeding as prevention. Thoroughly cleaning bottles used for formula feeding is sufficient for botulism prevention. Inadequate sterilization of home-canned foods can contribute to botulism.

A parent of an infant with gastroesophageal reflux asks how to decrease the number and total volume of emesis. What recommendation should the nurse include in teaching this parent? a. Surgical therapy is indicated. b. Place in prone position for sleep after feeding. c. Thicken feedings and enlarge the nipple hole. d. Reduce the frequency of feeding by encouraging larger volumes of formula.

ANS: C Thickened feedings decrease the child's crying and increase the caloric density of the feeding. Although it does not decrease the pH, the number and volume of emesis are reduced. Surgical therapy is reserved for children who have failed to respond to medical therapy or who have an anatomic abnormality. The prone position is not recommended because of the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Smaller, more frequent feedings are more effective than less frequent, larger volumes of formula.

The nurse is teaching parents about caring for their infant with seborrheic dermatitis (cradle cap). Which statement by the parents indicates understanding of the teaching? a. "We will rinse off the shampoo quickly and dry the scalp thoroughly." b. "We will shampoo the hair every other day with antiseborrheic shampoo." c. "We will be sure to shampoo the hair without removing any of the crusts." d. "We will use a fine-tooth comb to help remove the loosened crusts from the strands of hair."

ANS: D A fine-tooth comb or a soft facial brush helps remove the loosened crusts from the strands of hair after shampooing. This is an accurate statement. Shampoo should applied to the scalp and allowed to remain on the scalp until the crusts soften. Shampoo should not be rinsed off quickly. The crusts should be removed, and shampooing with antiseborrheic shampoo should be done daily, not every other day.

The father of a child who is dying of cancer asks the nurse whether he should tell his 7-year-old son that his sister is dying. What is the most appropriate response by the nurse? a. "He can't comprehend the real meaning of death, so don't tell him until the last minute." b. "Your son probably fears separation most and wants to know that you will care for him, rather than what will happen to his sister." c. "You should talk this over with your healthcare provider, who probably knows best what's happening in terms of your daughter's prognosis." d. "Your son probably doesn't understand death as we do but fears it just the same. He should be told the truth to let him prepare for his sister's death."

ANS: D Children of early school age are not yet able to comprehend death's universality and inevitability, but they still fear it, often personifying death as a "boogeyman" or "death angel." They need an opportunity to prepare for a coming death. At age 10 this child needs to know the seriousness of the illness and to understand that recovery may not be possible. Children younger than age 10 interpret death as separation and punishment; they fear this in addition to death itself. Telling the father to talk to the healthcare provider only avoids the question.

What side effect commonly occurs with corticosteroid (prednisone) therapy? a. Alopecia b. Anorexia c. Nausea and vomiting d. Susceptibility to infection

ANS: D Corticosteroids have immunosuppressive effects. Children who are taking prednisone are susceptible to infections. Hair loss is not a side effect of corticosteroid therapy. Children taking corticosteroids have increased appetites. Gastric irritation, not nausea and vomiting, is a potential side effect. The medicine should be given with food.

A child with pyloric stenosis is having excessive vomiting. The nurse should assess for what potential complication? a. Hyperkalemia b. Hyperchloremia c. Metabolic acidosis d. Metabolic alkalosis

ANS: D Infants with excessive vomiting are prone to metabolic alkalosis from the loss of hydrogen ions. Potassium and chloride ions are lost with vomiting. Metabolic alkalosis, not acidosis, is likely.

What clinical manifestation should be the most suggestive of acute appendicitis? a. Rebound tenderness b. Bright red or dark red rectal bleeding c. Abdominal pain that is relieved by eating d. Colicky, cramping, abdominal pain around the umbilicus

ANS: D Pain is the cardinal feature. It is initially generalized, usually periumbilical. The pain becomes constant and may shift to the right lower quadrant. Rebound tenderness is not a reliable sign and is extremely painful to the child. Bright or dark red rectal bleeding and abdominal pain that is relieved by eating are not signs of acute appendicitis.

What is a major goal of therapy for children with cerebral palsy (CP)? a. Cure the underlying defect causing the disorder. b. Reverse the degenerative processes that have occurred. c. Prevent the spread to individuals in close contact with the child. d. Recognize the disorder early and promote optimum development.

ANS: D The goals of therapy include early recognition and promotion of an optimum developmental course to enable affected children to attain their potential within the limits of their dysfunction. The disorder is permanent, and therapy is chiefly symptomatic and preventive. It is not possible at this time to reverse the degenerative processes. CP is not contagious.

What immunization should not be given to a child receiving chemotherapy for cancer? a. Tetanus vaccine b. Inactivated poliovirus vaccine c. Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT) d. Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)

ANS: D The vaccine used for MMR is a live virus and can cause serious disease in immunocompromised children. The tetanus vaccine, inactivated poliovirus vaccine, and DPT are not live vaccines and can be given to immunosuppressed children. The immune response is likely to be suboptimum, so delaying vaccination is usually recommended.