NSG 223 Peds Exam 2 Practice
The nurse is caring for a 3-year-old girl with short bowel syndrome as a result of trauma to the small intestine. The girl's mother is extremely anxious and tells the nurse she is afraid she will never learn how to care for her daughter at home. How should the nurse respond? A) "I will help you become an expert on your daughter's care." B) "You must learn how to care for your daughter at home." C) "You really need the support of your husband." D) "There is a lot to learn and you need a positive attitude."
A) "I will help you become an expert on your daughter's care." Rationale: The nurse needs to empower families to become the experts on their children's needs and conditions via education and participation in care. The most positive approach in this case is to let the mother know the nurse will support her and help her become an expert on her daughter's care. Telling the mother that she must learn how to care for her daughter or that she must have a positive attitude is not helpful. Telling her that she needs the support of her husband is irrelevant and unhelpful.
The parents of a 5-year-old have just found out that their child has head lice. Which statement by the parents would support the nursing diagnosis of deficient knowledge? A. "I can't believe it. We're not unclean, poor people." B. "We'll have to get that special shampoo." C. "Everybody in the house will need to be checked." D. "That explains his complaints of itching on his neck.
A. "I can't believe it. We're not unclean, poor people." Rationale: Head lice is not an indication of poor hygiene or poverty. It occurs in all socioeconomic groups. Thus, the parents' statement about being unclean and poor reflects a lack of knowledge about the infection. A pediculicide is used to wash the hair to treat the infestation. Household contacts need to be examined and treated if affected. Extreme pruritus is the most common symptom, with nits or lice especially behind the ears or at the nape of the neck.
The nurse is caring for a 12-year-old girl with nephrotic syndrome. The girl confides that she feels like a "freak" compared to her peers because of her weight, edema, and moon face. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate? A. "Let's put you in touch with some other girls who are also having the same body changes." B. "Luckily, this is just a temporary, unfortunate part of your condition; you need to accept it." C. "Your real friends do not care about your appearance and just want you to get well." D. "You are beautiful in your own way; what matters is what is on the inside."
A. "Let's put you in touch with some other girls who are also having the same body changes." Rationale: It is important to introduce the girl to other youngsters with chronic renal conditions so she does not feel so isolated. Adolescents need interaction with peers. Telling the girl that this is a temporary condition, her real friends don't care about her appearance, and she is beautiful in her own way dismisses the girl's concerns and does not offer solutions. Nephrotic syndrome is a chronic condition, so telling her the condition is temporary also is inaccurate.
The nurse is caring for a 4-year-old girl with vulvovaginitis. After instructing the girl's mother on how to help prevent subsequent episodes, which statement by the mother indicates a need for additional teaching? A. "She tells me she wipes from front to back." B. "I will make sure she changes her underwear every day." C. "She should avoid bubble baths." D. "I will help supervise her wiping after bowel movements."
A. "She tells me she wipes from front to back." Rationale: At the age of 4, the mother should not assume that the girl will wipe properly. The mother will need to supervise her wiping in order to train her properly. Making sure the child changes her underwear daily, avoiding bubble baths, and supervising her wiping after bowel movements indicate that the mother has understood the instructions.
The parents of a boy diagnosed with Hirschsprung disease are anxious and fearful of the upcoming surgery. The mother states, "I'm worried about having to care for our son's ostomy." Which intervention would be most helpful for the parents? A) Explaining to them about the diagnosis and surgery B) Having a wound, ostomy, and continence nurse meet with them C) Reinforcing that the ostomy will be temporary D) Teaching them about the medications used to slow stool output
B) Having a wound, ostomy, and continence nurse meet with them Rationale: Although explaining about the diagnosis and surgery, reinforcing that the ostomy will be temporary, and teaching them about medications would be appropriate, the parents are voicing concerns about caring for the ostomy. Therefore, having a wound, ostomy, and continence nurse meet with them would address these concerns and help them deal with the anxieties and care of a newly placed stoma.
The nurse is taking a health history of a child with suspected acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. Which response by the client's parent will the nurse highlight for the primary health care provider as an indicator for this condition? A. "My child's has recently reported urinary frequency." B. "My child just got over a head cold with laryngitis." C. "My child's urine is pale yellow in color." D. "My child's eyes appear sunken to me."
B. "My child just got over a head cold with laryngitis." Rationale: Known risk factors include a recent episode of pharyngitis or other streptococcal infection, decreased urine output, rust or cola colored urine, and swelling around the eyes. Edema may occur in the abdomen, face, eyes, feet, ankles, hands, or generally.
After teaching the parents of a child with a hydrocele about this condition, which statement indicates that the teaching was successful? A. "If this gets worse and we don't treat it, our son could become infertile." B. "This condition should gradually go away on its own." C. "The surgeon is going to operate on him immediately." D. "It's going to be difficult putting ice packs on his scrotum."
B. "This condition should gradually go away on its own." Rationale: Hydrocele requires watchful waiting because it will usually resolve spontaneously on its own. Hydrocele is not associated with the development of infertility; a varicocele, if left untreated, can lead to infertility. Immediate surgery is warranted for testicular torsion. Ice packs to the scrotum are helpful in relieving pain associated with epididymitis.
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? A. Salmeterol B. Albuterol C. Ipratropium D. Cromolyn
B. Albuterol Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting β2-adrenergic agonist that is used for treatment of acute bronchospasm. Salmeterol is a long-acting β2-adrenergic agonist used for long-term control or exercise-induced asthma. Ipratropium is an anticholinergic agent used as an adjunct to β2-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 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? A. Pulmonary function test B. Pulse oximetry C. Peak expiratory flow D. Chest radiograph
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.
An infant with congenital heart disease is to undergo surgery to correct the defect. The mother states, "I guess I'm going to have to stop breastfeeding her." Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate? A) "That's true, but we'll make sure she gets the best intravenous nutrition." B) "Unfortunately, your baby needs more nutrients than what breast milk can provide." C) "Breast milk may help to boost her immune system, so you can continue to use it." D) "She won't be able to suck, so we have to give her fortified formula through a tube."
C) "Breast milk may help to boost her immune system, so you can continue to use it." Rationale: Breastfeeding a child before and after cardiac surgery may boost the infant's immune system, which can help fight postoperative infection. If breastfeeding is not possible, mothers can pump milk and the breast milk may be given via bottle, dropper, or gavage feeding. In addition, breastfeeding is associated with decreased energy expenditure during the act of feeding.
The nurse is caring for a 2-month-old infant who has been diagnosed with acute heart failure. The nurse is providing teaching about nutrition. Which statement by the mother indicates a need for further teaching? A) "The baby may need as much as 150 calories/kg/day." B) "Small, frequent feedings are best if tolerated." C) "I need to feed him every hour to make sure he eats enough." D) "Gavage feedings may be required for now."
C) "I need to feed him every hour to make sure he eats enough." Rationale: Although offering small frequent feedings is appropriate if the infant tolerates them, feeding every hour is not necessary. During the acute phase, continuous or intermittent gavage feedings may be needed to help the infant maintain or gain weight. Due to the increased metabolic demands, the infant may require as much as 150 calories/kg/day.
The mother of a 4-week-old infant is tearful. She reports the healthcare provider has told her that her son has a small atrial septal defect. She reports she is worried and asks the nurse more about the condition. Which statement by the parents best indicates an understanding of the nurse's teaching? A) "This greatly places my son at risk for cardiac failure." B) "If this does not resolve by the time my child is 1 year old, he will likely need surgery." C) "Most of the time this condition spontaneously resolves." D) "Since the surgery to correct this condition can be risky my son will need to be at least 40 pounds."
C) "Most of the time this condition spontaneously resolves." Rationale: Atrial septal defects in children most likely resolve without treatment. Those that are not corrected by the age of 18 months will likely require surgical intervention. When planned, surgery is not usually performed until the child is at least 3 years of age. There is no indication other problems are present, so the child is not at an increased risk for cardiac failure.
The nurse is providing care to a child with an intussusception. The child has a bowel movement and the nurse inspects the stool. The nurse would most likely document the stool's appearance as having what quality? A) Greasy B) Clay-colored C) Currant jelly-like D) Bloody
C) Currant jelly-like Rationale: The child with intussusception often exhibits currant jelly-like stools that may or may not be positive for blood. Greasy stools are associated with celiac disease. Cay-colored stools are observed with biliary atresia. Bloody stools can be seen with several gastrointestinal disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease.
A newborn is diagnosed with patent ductus arteriosus. The nurse anticipates that the healthcare provider will most likely order which medication? A) Alprostadil B) Heparin C) Indomethacin D) Spironolactone
C) Indomethacin Rationale: Indomethacin is the drug typically ordered to close a patent ductus arteriosus. Alprostadil would be indicated to maintain the ductus arteriosus temporarily in infants with ductal-dependent congenital heart defects. Heparin would be used for prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic disorders, especially after surgery. Spironolactone would be used to manage edema due to heart failure and to treat hypertension.
After teaching a group of parents about ear infections in children, which statement indicates that the teaching was successful? A) Infants with congenital deformities have an increased risk for ear infections. B) Ear infections typically increase as the child gets older. C) The shorter and wider eustachian tubes of an infant increase the risk. D) Adenoids shrink as the child grows, allowing more bacteria to enter.
C) The shorter and wider eustachian tubes of an infant increase the risk. Rationale: The infant has relatively short, wide, horizontally placed eustachian tubes, allowing bacteria and viruses to gain access to the middle ear and resulting in an increased number of infections as compared to adults. Congenital deformities of the ear are associated with other body system anomalies, but not necessarily an increase in ear infections. As the child matures, the eustachian tubes assume a more slanted position, so older children and adults have fewer infections. A child's adenoids are often enlarged, leading to obstruction of the eustachian tubes and infection.
The nurse is developing a teaching plan for the mother of a 4-year-old girl with cold and fever. What would the nurse include in this teaching plan? A. Keeping the child covered and warm B. Calling the doctor if the child's fever lasts more than 36 hours C. Ensuring fluid intake to prevent dehydration D. Observing for changes in alertness resulting from brain damage
C. Ensuring fluid intake to prevent dehydration Rationale: Teaching the mother to ensure fluid intake is important because fever can cause dehydration. The child should be dressed lightly. There is no need to call the doctor unless the child's fever lasts more than 3 to 5 days or the fever is greater than 105ºF. A rapid rise to a high fever can cause a febrile convulsion, but it does not lead to brain damage.
The nurse is assessing the tympanic temperature of several children. The nurse documents that the child with which temperature reading has a fever? A. 98.2° F (36.8° C) B. 99.2° F (37.3° C) C. 100° F (37.8° C) D. 100.8° F (38.2° C)
D. 100.8° F (38.2° C) Rationale: A tympanic temperature greater than 100.4° F (greater than 38° C) is defined as fever. An oral temperature of 100° F (greater than 37.8° C) would identify a fever. An axillary temperature of 99° F (greater than 37.2° C) would identify a fever.
A 15-year-old client presents to the emergency room reporting an abrupt onset of severe, sudden pain on the right side of the scrotum while playing football. The nurse notes a blue-black swelling of the affected scrotum. Which action will the nurse complete next? A. Complete a head-to-toe assessment B. Have the client rate the pain C. Notify the primary health care provider D. Monitor the client's urine output
Rationale: The nurse would suspect testicular torsion, which is a surgical emergency that necessitates immediate surgical correction to prevent testicular necrosis and possible gangrene. Therefore, the nurse would notify the health care provider immediately. The nurse would then have the client rate the pain, complete a head-to-toe assessment, and monitor urine output.
