Exam 4 PEDS

Which child should the nurse document as being anemic?

14-year-old child with a hemoglobin of 10 g/dL Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells, or hemoglobin concentration, is reduced below the normal values for age. Anemia is defined as a hemoglobin level below 10 or 11 g/dL. The child with a hemoglobin of 10 g/dL would be considered anemic. The normal hemoglobin for a child after 2 years of age is 11.5 to 15.5 g/dL.

A 14-year-old boy is being admitted to the hospital for an appendectomy. Which roommate should the nurse assign with this patient?

A 15-year-old boy admitted with a vaso-occlusive sickle cell crisis When a child is admitted, nurses follow several fairly universal admission procedures. The minimum considerations for room assignment are age, sex, and nature of the illness. Age-grouping is especially important for adolescents. The 14-year-old boy being admitted to the unit after appendectomy surgery should be placed with a noninfectious child of the same sex and age. The 15-year-old child with sickle cell is the best choice. The 4-year-old boy who is post-appendectomy istoo young, and the child with pneumonia is too young and possibly has an infectious process. The 12-year-old boy with cellulitis is the right age, but he has an infection (cellulitis).

The most appropriate nursing diagnosis for a child with anemia is:

Activity Intolerance related to generalized weakness. The basic pathology in anemia is the decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. The nurse must assess the childs activity level (response to the physiologic state). The nursing diagnosis would reflect the activity intolerance. In generalized anemia no abnormal hemoglobin may be present. Only at a level of very severe anemia does cardiac output become altered. No decreased sensorium exists until profound anemia occurs. Dehydration and abnormal hemoglobin are not usually part of anemia.

An accurate description of anemia is:

Decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of blood. Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin concentration is reduced below the normal values for age. This results in a decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of blood. Increased blood viscosity is usually a function of too many cells or of dehydration, not of anemia. A depressed hematopoietic system or abnormal hemoglobin can contribute to anemia, but the definition depends on the deceased oxygencarrying capacity of the blood.

Which statement most accurately describes the pathologic changes of sickle cell anemia?

Increased red blood cell destruction occurs. The clinical features of sickle cell anemia are primarily the result of increased red blood cell destruction and obstruction caused by the sickle-shaped red blood cells. Sickled red cells have decreased oxygen-carrying capacity and transform into the sickle shape in conditions of low oxygen tension. When the sickle cells change shape, they increase the viscosity in the area where they are involved in the microcirculation

Iron dextran is ordered for a young child with severe iron deficiency anemia. Nursing considerations include:

Injecting deeply into a large muscle Iron dextran is a parenteral form of iron. When administered intramuscularly, it must be injected into a large muscle using the Z-track method. Iron dextran is for intramuscular or intravenous administration; it is not taken orally. The site should not be massaged to prevent leakage, potential irritation, and staining of the skin

The nurse is recommending how to prevent iron deficiency anemia in a healthy, term, breastfed infant. What should she or he suggest?

Iron-fortified infant cereal can be introduced at approximately 6 months of age. Breast milk supplies inadequate iron for growth and development after age 5 months. Supplementation is necessary at this time. Iron supplementation or the introduction of solid foods in a breastfed baby is not indicated. Introducing iron-fortified infant cereal at 2 months should be done only if the mother is choosing to discontinue breastfeeding.

Which statement best explains why iron deficiency anemia is common during toddlerhood?

Milk is a poor source of iron. Children between the ages of 12 and 36 months are at risk for anemia because cows milk is a major component of their diet, and it is a poor source of iron. Iron is stored during fetal development, but the amount stored depends on maternal iron stores. Fetal iron stores are usually depleted by age 5 to 6 months. Dietary iron can be introduced by breastfeeding, iron-fortified formula, and cereals during the first 12 months of life.

What medication isthe most effective choice for treating pain associated with sickle cell crisis in a newly admitted 5-year-old child?

Morphine Opioids, such as morphine, are the preferred drugs for the management of acute, severe pain, including postoperative pain, post-traumatic pain, pain from vaso-occlusive crisis, and chronic cancer pain. Acetaminophen provides only mild analgesic relief and is not appropriate for a newly admitted child with sickle cell crisis. Ibuprofen is a type of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used primarily for pain associated with inflammation. It is appropriate for mild to moderate pain, but it is not adequate for this patient. Midazolam (Versed) is a short-acting drug used for conscious sedation, for preoperative sedation, and as an induction agent for general anesthesia.

Which should the nurse teach about prevention of sickle cell crises to parents of a preschool child with sickle cell disease (Select all that apply)?

Notify the health care provider if a fever of 38.5 C (101.3 F) or greater occurs. Give penicillin as prescribed. Notify the health care provider if your child begins to develop symptoms of a cold. The most important issues to teach the family of a child with sickle cell anemia are to (1) seek early intervention for problems, such as a fever of 38.5 C (101.3 F) or greater; (2) give penicillin as ordered; (3) recognize signs and symptoms of splenic sequestration, as well as respiratory problems that can lead to hypoxia; and (4) treat the child normally. The nurse emphasizes the importance of adequate hydration to prevent sickling and to delay the adhesionstasisthrombosisischemia cycle. It is not sufficient to advise parents to force fluids or encourage drinking. They need specific instructions on how many daily glasses or bottles of fluid are required. Many foods are also a source of fluid, particularly soups, flavored ice pops, ice cream, sherbet, gelatin, and puddings. Increased fluids combined with impaired kidney function result in the problem of enuresis. Parents who are unaware of this fact frequently use the usual measures to discourage bedwetting, such as limiting fluids at night. Enuresis is treated as a complication of the disease, such as joint pain or some other symptom, to alleviate parental pressure on the child. Ice should not be used during a vaso-occlusive pain crisis because it vasoconstricts and impairs circulation even more.

Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect when a child with sickle cell anemia experiences an acute vaso-occlusive crisis?

Painful swelling of hands and feet, painful joints A vaso-occlusive crisis is characterized by severe pain in the area of involvement. If in the extremities, painful swelling of the hands and feet is seen; if in the abdomen, severe pain resembles that of acute surgical abdomen; and if in the head, stroke and visual disturbances occur. Circulatory collapse results from sequestration crises. Cardiomegaly, systolic murmurs, hepatomegaly, and intrahepatic cholestasis result from chronic vasoocclusive phenomena.

The nurse is planning activity for a 4-year-old child with anemia. Which activity should the nurse plan for this child?

Puppet play in the childs room Because the basic pathologic process in anemia is a decrease in oxygen-carrying capacity, an important nursing responsibility is to assess the childs energy level and minimize excess demands. The childs level of tolerance for activities of daily living and play is assessed, and adjustments are made to allow as much self-care as possible without undue exertion. Puppet play in the childs room would not be overly tiring. Hide and seek, dancing, and walking to the lobby would not conserve the anemic childs energy.

The parents of a child hospitalized with sickle cell anemia tell the nurse that they are concerned about narcotic analgesics causing addiction. The nurse should explain that narcotic analgesics:

Rarely cause addiction because they are medically indicated. The pain of sickle cell anemia is best treated by a multidisciplinary approach. Mild-to-moderate pain can be controlled by ibuprofen and acetaminophen. When narcotics are indicated, they are titrated to effect and given around the clock. Patient-controlled analgesia reinforces the patients role and responsibility in managing the pain and provides flexibility in dealing with pain. Few if any patients who receive opioids for severe pain become behaviorally addicted to the drug. Narcotics are often used because of the severe nature of the pain of vaso-occlusive crisis. Ice is contraindicated because of its vasoconstrictive effects.

A condition in which the normal adult hemoglobin is partly or completely replaced by abnormal hemoglobin is:

Sickle cell anemia. Sickle cell anemia is one of a group of diseases collectively called hemoglobinopathies, in which normal adult hemoglobin is replaced by abnormal hemoglobin. Aplastic anemia is a lack of cellular elements being produced. Hemophilia refers to a group of bleeding disorders in which there is deficiency of one of the factors necessary for coagulation. Iron deficiency anemia affects size and depth of color of hemoglobin and does not involve abnormal hemoglobin.

Several blood tests are ordered for a preschool child with severe anemia. She is crying and upset because she remembers the venipuncture done at the clinic 2 days ago. The nurse should explain that:

Topical application of local anesthetic can eliminate venipuncture pain. Preschool children are very concerned about both pain and the loss of blood. When preparing the child for venipuncture, a topical anesthetic will be used to eliminate any pain. This is a very traumatic experience for preschool children. They are concerned about their bodily integrity. A local anesthetic should be used, and a bandage should be applied to maintain bodily integrity. A promise that only one venipuncture will be needed should not be made in case multiple attempts are required. Both finger punctures and venipunctures are traumatic for children. Both require preparation.