Pediatric Nursing CV/Some Heme/Some ID

Nursing care of the child with Kawasaki disease is challenging because of: 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 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.

Which of the following defects results in obstruction to blood flow? a. Aortic stenosis b. Ventricular Septal Defect c. Atrial septal defect d. Transposition of the great arteries

ANS: A Aortic stenosis is a narrowing or stricture of the aortic valve, causing resistance to blood flow in the left ventricle, decreased cardiac output, left ventricular hypertrophy, and pulmonary vascular congestion. The atrial septal defect results in increased pulmonary blood flow. Transposition of the great arteries results in mixed blood flow.

Which of the following explains why iron deficiency anemia is common during 12-36 mos? a. Cow's milk is a poor source of iron. b. Iron cannot be stored during fetal development. c. Fetal iron stores are depleted by 1 month of age. d. Dietary iron cannot be started until 12 months of age.

ANS: A Children between the ages of 12 and 36 months are at risk for anemia, since cow's 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 ages 5 to 6 months. Dietary iron can be introduced by breast-feeding, iron-fortified formula, and cereals during the first 12 months of life.

Seventy-two hours after cardiac surgery, a young child has a temperature of 38.4o C (101.1° F). The nurse should do which of the following? a. Report findings to practitioner. b. Apply a hypothermia blanket. c. Keep child warm with blankets. d. Record temperature on assessment flow sheet.

ANS: A In the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery, the body temperature may increase to 37.8° C (100° F) as part of the inflammatory response to tissue trauma. If the temperature is higher or fever continues after this period, it is most likely a sign of an infection, and immediate investigation is indicated. Hypothermia blanket is not indicated for this level of temperature. Blankets should be removed from the child to keep the temperature from increasing. The temperature should be recorded, but the practitioner must be notified for evaluation.

Which of the following structural defects constitute tetralogy of Fallot? a. Pulmonary stenosis, ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta, right ventricular hypertrophy b. Aortic stenosis, ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta, right ventricular hypertrophy c. Aortic stenosis, ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta, left ventricular hypertrophy d. Pulmonary stenosis, ventricular septal defect, aortic hypertrophy, left ventricular hypertrophy

ANS: A Tetralogy of Fallot has these four characteristics: pulmonary stenosis, ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta, and right ventricular hypertrophy.

A school-age child is admitted in vasoocclusive sickle cell crisis (pain episode). The child's care should include which of the following? a. Hydration, pain management b. Oxygenation, factor VIII replacement c. Electrolyte replacement, administration of heparin d. Correction of alkalosis and reduction of energy expenditure

ANS: A The management of crises includes adequate hydration, pain management, minimization of energy expenditures, electrolyte replacement, and blood component therapy if indicated. Factor VIII is not indicated in the treatment of vasoocclusive sickle cell crisis. Oxygen may prevent further sickling, but it is not effective in reversing sickling because it cannot reach the clogged blood vessels. Also, prolonged oxygen can reduce bone marrow activity. Heparin is not indicated in the treatment of vasoocclusive sickle cell crisis. Electrolyte replacement should accompany hydration. The acidosis will be corrected as the crisis is treated. Energy expenditure should be minimized to improve oxygen utilization. Acidosis, not alkalosis, results from hypoxia, which also promotes sickling.

The primary nursing intervention to prevent bacterial endocarditis is which of the following? a. Counsel parents of high-risk children. b. Institute measures to prevent dental procedures. c. Encourage restricted mobility in susceptible children. d. Observe children for complications, such as embolism and heart failure.

ANS: A The objective of nursing care is to counsel the parents of high-risk children about the need for both prophylactic antibiotics for dental procedures and maintaining excellent oral health. The child's dentist should be aware of the child's cardiac condition. Dental procedures should be done to maintain a high level of oral health. Restricted mobility in susceptible children is not indicated. Parents are taught to observe for unexplained fever, weight loss, or change in behavior.

A parent of a 7-year-old girl with a repaired ventricular septal defect (VSD) calls the cardiology clinic and reports that the child is just not herself. Her appetite is decreased, she has had intermittent fevers around 38o C (100.4o F), and now her muscles and joints ache. Based on this information you advise the mother to: a. immediately bring the child to clinic for evaluation. b. come to the clinic next week on a scheduled appointment. c. treat the symptoms with acetaminophen and fluids, since it is most likely a viral illness. d. recognize that the child is trying to manipulate the parent by complaining of vague symptoms.

ANS: A These are the insidious symptoms of bacterial endocarditis. Since the child is in a high-risk group for this disorder (VSD repair), immediate evaluation and treatment are indicated to prevent cardiac damage. With appropriate antibiotic therapy, bacterial endocarditis is successfully treated in approximately 80% of the cases. The child's complaints should not be dismissed. The low-grade fever is not a symptom that the child can fabricate.

An infant age 4 months comes to the clinic for a well-infant check-up. 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 include which of the following? 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.

SELECT ALL THAT APPLY. The nurse is caring for a child with Kawasaki disease in the acute phase. Which of the following clinical manifestations would the nurse expect to observe? a. Cervical lymphadenopathy b. Strawberry tongue c. Chorea d. Erythematous palms e. Polyarthritis

ANS: ABD Clinical manifestations of Kawasaki disease in the acute phase include cervical lymphadenopathy, a strawberry tongue, and erythematous palms. Chorea and polyarthritis are seen in rheumatic fever.

Which of the following aspects of cognition develops during adolescence? a. Ability to see things from the point of view of another b. Capability of using a future time perspective c. Capability of placing things in a sensible and logical order d. Progress from making judgments based on what they see to making judgments based on what they reason

ANS: B Adolescents are no longer restricted to the real and actual. They also are concerned with the possible; they think beyond the present. During concrete operations (between ages 7 and 11 years) children exhibit thought processes that enable them to see things from the point of view of another, place things in a sensible and logical order, and progress from making judgments based on what they see to making judgments based on what they reason.

A cardiac defect that allows blood to shunt from the (high pressure) left side of the heart to the (lower pressure) right side can result in: a. cyanosis. b. congestive heart failure. c. decreased pulmonary blood flow. d. bounding pulses in upper extremities.

ANS: B As blood is shunted into the right side of the heart, there is increased pulmonary blood flow and the child is at high risk for congestive heart failure. Cyanosis usually occurs in defects with decreased pulmonary blood flow. Bounding upper extremity pulses are a manifestation of coarctation of the aorta.

The nurse should recognize that congestive heart failure (CHF) is which of the following? a. Disease related to cardiac defects b. Consequence of an underlying cardiac defect c. Inherited disorder associated with a variety of defects d. Result of diminished workload imposed on an abnormal myocardium

ANS: B CHF is the inability of the heart to pump an adequate amount of blood to the systemic circulation at normal filling pressures to meet the body's metabolic demands. CHF is not a disease but rather a result of the inability of the heart to pump efficiently. CHF is not inherited. CHF occurs most frequently secondary to congenital heart defects in which structural abnormalities result in increased volume load or increased pressures on the ventricles.

The nurse is caring for a child with persistent hypoxia secondary to a cardiac defect. The nurse recognizes the risk of cerebrovascular accidents (strokes) occurring. Which of the following is an important objective to decrease this risk? a. Minimize seizures. b. Prevent dehydration. c. Promote cardiac output. d. Reduce energy expenditure.

ANS: B In children with persistent hypoxia, polycythemia develops. Dehydration must be prevented in hypoxemic children because it potentiates the risk of strokes. Minimizing seizures, promoting cardiac output, and reducing energy expenditure will not reduce the risk of cerebrovascular accidents.

John is a 6-year-old child scheduled for a cardiac catheterization. Preoperative teaching should be which of the following? a. Directed at his parents because he is too young to understand b. Adapted to his level of development so that he can understand c. Done several days before the procedure so he will be prepared d. Provide details about the actual procedures so he will know what to expect

ANS: B Preoperative teaching should always be directed to the child's stage of development. The caregivers also benefit from these explanations. The parents may ask additional questions, which should be answered, but the child needs to receive the information based on developmental level. This age-group will not understand in-depth descriptions. School-age children should be prepared close to the time of the cardiac catheterization.

Pertussis vaccination should begin at which age? a. Birth b. 2 months c. 6 months d. 12 months

ANS: B The acellular pertussis vaccine is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics beginning at age 6 weeks. Infants are at greater risk for complications of pertussis. The vaccine is not given after age 7 years, when the risks of the vaccine become greater than those of pertussis. The first dose is usually given at the 2-month well-child visit. The infant is highly susceptible to pertussis, which can be a life-threatening illness in this age-group.

Which of the following should the nurse consider when preparing a school-age child and the family for heart surgery? a. Unfamiliar equipment should not be shown. b. Let child hear the sounds of a cardiac monitor, including alarms. c. Explain that an endotracheal tube will not be needed if the surgery goes well. d. Discussion of postoperative discomfort and interventions is not necessary before the procedure.

ANS: B The child and family should be exposed to the sights and sounds of the intensive care unit (ICU). All positive, nonfrightening aspects of the environment are emphasized. The family and child should make the decision about a tour of the unit if it is an option. The child should be shown unfamiliar equipment and its use demonstrated on a doll. Carefully prepare the child for the postoperative experience, including intravenous lines, incision, endotracheal tube, expected discomfort, and management strategies.

The parents of a 3-year-old child with congenital heart disease are afraid to let their child play with other children because of possible overexertion. The nurse's reply should include which of the following? a. Parents can meet all the child's needs. b. Child needs opportunities to play with peers. c. Constant parental supervision is needed to avoid overexertion. d. Child needs to understand that peers' activities are too strenuous.

ANS: B The child needs opportunities for social development. Children are able to regulate and limit their activities based on their energy level. Parents must be encouraged to seek appropriate social activities for the child, especially before kindergarten. The child needs to have activities that foster independence.

Which muscle is contraindicated for the administration of immunizations in infants and young children? a. Deltoid b. Dorsogluteal c. Ventrogluteal d. Anterolateral thigh

ANS: B The dorsogluteal site is avoided in children because of the location of nerves and veins. The deltoid is recommended for 12 months and older. Ventrogluteal and anterolateral thigh sites can safely be used for the administration of vaccines to infants.

Which of the following is descriptive of most cases of hemophilia? a. X-linked recessive deficiency of platelets causing prolonged bleeding b. X-linked recessive inherited disorder in which a blood clotting factor is deficient c. Autosomal dominant deficiency of a factor involved in the blood-clotting reaction d. Y-linked recessive inherited disorder in which the red blood cells become moon shaped

ANS: B The inheritance pattern in 80% of all the cases of hemophilia is X-linked recessive. The two most common forms of the disorder are factor VIII deficiency (hemophilia A, or classic hemophilia) and factor IX deficiency (hemophilia B, or Christmas disease). The disorder involves coagulation factors, not platelets. The disorder does not involve red cells or the Y chromosome.

Ventricular septal defect has the following blood flow pattern: a. Increased pulmonary blood flow b. Decreased pulmonary blood flow c. Obstruction to blood flow from ventricles

ANS: B The opening in the septal wall allows for blood to flow from the higher pressure left ventricle into the lower pressure right ventricle. This left-to-right shunt creates increased pulmonary blood flow. The outflow of blood from the ventricles is not affected by the septal defect.

The nurse notices that a child is increasingly apprehensive and has tachycardia after heart surgery. The chest tube drainage is now 8 ml/kg/hr. Which of the following should be the nurse's initial intervention? a. Apply warming blankets. b. Notify the practitioner of these findings. c. Give additional pain medication per protocol. d. Encourage child to cough, turn, and deep breathe.

ANS: B The practitioner is notified immediately. Increases of chest tube drainage to more than 3 ml/kg/hr for more than 3 consecutive hours or 5 to 10 ml/kg in any 1 hour may indicate postoperative hemorrhage. Increased chest tube drainage with apprehensiveness and tachycardia may indicate cardiac tamponade—blood or fluid in the pericardial space constricting the heart—which is a life-threatening complication. Warming blankets are not indicated at this time. Additional pain medication can be given before the practitioner drains the fluid, but the notification is the first action. Encouraging the child to cough, turn, and deep breathe should be deferred until after evaluation by the practitioner.

A child with sickle cell anemia (SCA) develops severe chest and back pain, fever, a cough, and dyspnea. The first action by the nurse is to: a. administer 100% oxygen to relieve hypoxia. b. notify practitioner, since chest syndrome is suspected. c. infuse intravenous antibiotics as soon as cultures are obtained. d. give ordered pain medication to relieve symptoms of pain episode.

ANS: B These are the symptoms of acute chest syndrome, which is a medical emergency. Notifying the practitioner is the priority action. Oxygen may be indicated; however, it does not reverse the sickling that has occurred. Antibiotics are not indicated initially. Pain medications may be required, but evaluation by the practitioner is the priority.

Decreasing the demands on the heart is a priority in care for the infant with congestive heart failure (CHF). In evaluating the infant's status, which of the following is indicative of achieving this goal? a. Irritability when awake b. Capillary refill of more than 5 seconds c. Appropriate weight gain for age

ANS: C Appropriate weight gain for an infant is indicative of successful feeding and a reduction in caloric loss secondary to the CHF. Irritability is a symptom of CHF. The child also uses additional energy when irritable. Capillary refill should be brisk and within 2 to 3 seconds.

The nurse finds that a 6-month-old infant has an apical pulse of 166 beats/min during sleep. The nurse should do which of the following? a. Administer oxygen. b. Record data on nurses' notes. c. Report data to the practitioner. d. Place child in high Fowler position.

ANS: C One of the earliest signs of CHF is tachycardia (sleeping heart rate >160 beats/min) as a direct result of sympathetic stimulation. The practitioner needs to be notified for evaluation of possible CHF. Although oxygen or a semiupright position may be indicated, the first action is to report the data to the practitioner.

The nurse is teaching the family of a child, age 8 years, with moderate hemophilia about home care. The initial therapy for a joint injury is: a. nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). b. DDAVP (synthetic vasopressin). c. intravenous (IV) infusion of factor VIII concentrates. d. elevation and application of ice to involved joint.

ANS: C Parents are taught home infusion of factor VIII concentrate. For moderate and severe hemophilia, prompt IV administration is essential to prevent joint injury. NSAIDs are effective for pain relief. They must be given with caution because they inhibit platelet aggregation. A factor VIII level of 30% is necessary to stop bleeding. DDAVP can raise the factor VIII level fourfold. Moderate hemophilia is defined by a factor VIII activity of 4.9. A fourfold increase would not meet the 30% level. Ice and elevation are important adjunctive therapy, but factor VIII is necessary.

The nurse is concerned with the prevention of communicable disease. Primary prevention results from which of the following? a. Hand washing b. Strict isolation c. Immunizations d. Early diagnosis

ANS: C Primary prevention rests almost exclusively with immunizations. Hand washing and isolation are control measures to prevent the spread of disease. Early diagnosis assists in instituting appropriate therapy when available and in preventing spread to others.

The parents of a child with sickle cell anemia (SCA) are concerned about subsequent children having the disease. The nurse should know that: a. SCA is not inherited. b. all siblings will have SCA. c. each sibling has a 25% chance of having SCA. d. there is a 50% chance of siblings having SCA.

ANS: C SCA is inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder. In this inheritance pattern, each child born to these parents has a 25% chance of having the disorder, a 25% chance of having neither SCA nor the trait, and a 50% chance of being heterozygous for SCA (sickle cell trait). SCA is an inherited hemoglobinopathy.

A mother states that she brought her child to the clinic because the 3-year-old girl was not keeping up with her siblings. During physical assessment, the nurse notes that the child has pale skin and conjunctiva and has muscle weakness. The hemoglobin on admission is 6.4 g/dl. After notifying the practitioner of the results, the nurse's priority intervention is to: a. reduce environmental stimulation to prevent seizures. b. have the laboratory repeat the analysis with a new specimen. c. minimize energy expenditure to decrease cardiac workload. d. administer intravenous fluids to correct the dehydration.

ANS: C The child has a critically low hemoglobin value. The expected range is 11.5 to 15.5 g/dl. When the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood decreases slowly, the child is able to compensate by increasing cardiac output. With the increasing workload of the heart, additional stress can lead to cardiac failure. Reduction of environmental stimulation can help minimize energy expenditure, but seizures are not a risk. A repeat hemoglobin analysis is not necessary. The child does not have evidence of dehydration. If intravenous fluids are given, they can further dilute the circulating blood volume and increase the strain on the heart.

A child with severe anemia requires a unit of red blood cells (RBCs). The nurse explains to the child that the transfusion is necessary to: a. allow her parents to come visit her. b. fight the infection that she now has. c. increase her energy so she will not be so tired. d. help her body stop bleeding by forming a clot (scab).

ANS: C The indication for RBC transfusion is risk of cardiac decompensation. When the number of circulating RBCs is increased, tissue hypoxia decreases, cardiac function is improved, and the child will have more energy. Parental visiting is not dependent on transfusion. The decrease in tissue hypoxia will minimize the risk of infection. There is no evidence that the child is currently infected. Forming a clot is the function of platelets.

When caring for the child with Kawasaki disease, the nurse should know which of the following? a. Aspirin is contraindicated. b. Principal area of involvement is the joints. c. Child's fever is usually responsive to antibiotics within 48 hours. d. Therapeutic management includes administration of gamma globulin and salicylates.

ANS: D High-dose intravenous gamma globulin and salicylate therapy is indicated to reduce the incidence of coronary artery abnormalities when given within the first 10 days of the illness. Aspirin is part of the therapy. Mucous membranes, conjunctiva, changes in the extremities, and cardiac involvement are seen. The fever of Kawasaki disease is unresponsive to antibiotics. It is responsive to antiinflammatory doses of aspirin and antipyretics.

A chest x-ray examination is ordered for a child with suspected cardiac problems. The child's parent asks the nurse, "What will the x-ray show about the heart?" The nurse's response should be based on knowledge that the x-ray film will do which of the following? a. Show bones of chest but not the heart b. Evaluate the vascular anatomy outside of the heart c. Show a graphic measure of electrical activity of the heart d. Provide information on heart size and pulmonary blood flow patterns

ANS: D Chest x-ray films provide information on the size of the heart and pulmonary blood flow patterns. The bones of the chest are visible on the chest x-ray film, but the heart and blood vessels are also seen. Magnetic resonance imaging is a noninvasive technique that allows for evaluation of vascular anatomy outside of the heart. A graphic measure of electrical activity of the heart is provided by electrocardiography.

The physician suggests that surgery be performed for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) to prevent which of the following complications? a. Hypoxemia b. Right-to-left shunt of blood c. Decreased workload on left side of heart d. Pulmonary vascular congestion

ANS: D In PDA, blood flows from the higher pressure aorta into the lower pressure pulmonary vein, resulting in increased pulmonary blood flow. This creates pulmonary vascular congestion. Hypoxemia usually results from defects with mixed blood flow and decreased pulmonary blood flow. The shunt is from left to right in a PDA. The closure would stop this. There is increased workload on the left side of the heart with a PDA.

The infant with congestive heart failure (CHF) has a need for: a. decreased fat. b. increased fluids. c. decreased protein. d. increased calories.

ANS: D Infants with CHF have a greater metabolic rate because of poor cardiac function and increased heart and respiratory rates. Their caloric needs are greater than those of average infants, yet their ability to take in calories is diminished by their fatigue. The diet should include increased protein and increased fat to facilitate the child's intake of sufficient calories. Fluids must be carefully monitored because of the CHF.

A 3-month-old with tetralogy of fallot infant has a hypercyanotic spell. The nurse's first action should be which of the following? a. Assess for neurologic defects. b. Prepare family for imminent death. c. Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation. d. Place child in the knee-chest position.

ANS: D The first action is to place the infant in the knee-chest position. Blow-by oxygen may be indicated. Neurologic defects are unlikely. Preparing the family for imminent death or beginning cardiopulmonary resuscitation would be unnecessary. The child is assessed for airway, breathing, and circulation.

An 8-year-old girl is receiving a blood transfusion when the nurse notes that she has developed precordial pain, dyspnea, distended neck veins, and cough. These manifestations are most suggestive of which of the following complications? a. Air embolism b. Allergic reaction c. Hemolytic reaction d. Circulatory overload

ANS: D The signs of circulatory overload include distended neck veins, hypertension, crackles, cough, and precordial pain. Signs of air embolism are sudden difficulty breathing, sharp pain in the chest, and apprehension. Urticaria, pruritus, flushing, asthmatic wheezing, and laryngeal edema are signs and symptoms of allergic reactions. Hemolytic reactions are characterized by chills, shaking, fever, pain at infusion site, nausea, vomiting, tightness in chest, flank pain, red or black urine, and progressive signs of shock and renal failure.

The nurse is caring for a school-age girl who has had a cardiac catheterization. The child tells the nurse that her bandage is "too wet." The nurse finds the bandage and bed soaked with blood. The most appropriate initial nursing action is which of the following? a. Notify the physician. b. Place child in Trendelenburg position. c. Apply a new bandage with more pressure. d. Apply direct pressure above catheterization site.

ANS: D When bleeding occurs, direct continuous pressure is applied 2.5 cm (1 inch) above the percutaneous skin site to localize pressure on the vessel puncture. The physician can be notified and a new bandage with more pressure can be applied after pressure is applied. The nurse can have someone else notify the physician while the pressure is being maintained. Trendelenburg position would not be a helpful intervention. It would increase the drainage from the lower extremities.

The school nurse sees a 14-year-old child who presents with fatigue and a nagging cough of three weeks' duration that has become productive with thick mucus and is much worse at night. The school nurse suspects pertussis (whooping cough), because vaccine protection wanes in 5-10 years. What is the school nurse's first nursing action? A) Isolate the child and contact the parents. B) Report the case to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). C) Encourage fluids to prevent dehydration. D) Provide emotional support to parents.

Answer: A Isolation is necessary to prevent the disease from spreading to classmates by aerosolized droplet infection. The case is not reportable until a positive culture is returned. The remaining interventions are important, but are not the first nursing action, because the entire school population might be at risk.

Which of the following is most likely associated with a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) resulting from congenital heart disease? a. Polycythemia b. Cardiomyopathy c. Endocarditis d. Low blood pressure

Answer: A The child with congenital heart disease develops polycythemia resulting from an inadequate mechanism to compensate for decreased oxygen saturation.

The mother of a child with tetralogy of Fallot asks the nurse why her child has clubbed fingers. The nurse bases the response on the understanding that clubbing is due to which of the following? a) Anemia. b) Peripheral hypoxia. c) Delayed physical growth. d) Destruction of bone marrow.

Answer: B Clubbing of the fingers is one common finding in the child with persistent hypoxia leading to tissue changes in the body because of the low oxygen content of the blood (hypoxemia). It apparently results from tissue fibrosis and hypertrophy from the hypoxemia and from an increase in capillaries in the area, which occur as the body attempts to improve blood supply. Clubbing of the fingers is associated with polycythemia, not anemia. Polycythemia results from the body's attempt to increase oxygen levels in the tissues. The child may be small for his or her chronological age, but clubbing does not result from slow physical growth. Destruction of the bone marrow is not related to this congenital heart malformation. Instead, bone marrow is actively producing erythrocytes to compensate for the chronic hypoxia.

Which of the following nursing interventions should be implemented for a client with influenza? a) instructing family members not to visit the client until the fever declines b) instructing family members or visitors to wear surgical mask before entering the client's room c) instructing family members that there are no special precautions needed when caring for the client d) instructing family members to wear gown and gloves before entering the client's room

Answer: B Influenza requires droplet precaution. Healthcare workers and family members should wear surgical mask when entering client's room to ensure prevention of contamination.

The nurse concludes that a parent of an otherwise healthy child with varicella (chickenpox) has an accurate understanding of the disease when the parent states which of the following? A) "I will take my child to our primary care provider to request acyclovir." B) "I will send my child back to school when all the lesions are dry and crusted over." C) "I will give my child acetaminophen 120 mg three times a day for the duration of the illness." D) "I will take my child to our primary care provider to request antibiotics."

Answer: B Varicella is no longer contagious when all the lesions are dry. Acetaminophen should be used when the child has a fever, not three times per day, every day, during the illness. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses. Acyclovir is an antiviral, but it is recommended for immunocompromised children, not healthy children and adolescents.

A child suspected of having sickle cell disease is seen in a clinic, and laboratory studies are performed. A nurse checks the lab results, knowing that which of the following would be increased in this disease? A.Platelet count B.Hematocrit level C.Reticulocyte count D.Hemoglobin level

Answer: C A diagnosis is established based on a complete blood count, examination for sickled red blood cells in the peripheral smear, and hemoglobin electrophoresis. Laboratory studies will show decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit levels and a decreased platelet count, and increased reticulocyte count, and the presence of nucleated red blood cells. Increased reticulocyte counts occur in children with sickle cell disease because the life span of their sickled red blood cells is shortened.

The nurse explains to the parents of a 1-year-old child admitted to the hospital in a sickle cell crisis that the local tissue damage the child has on admission is caused by which of the following? A.Autoimmune reaction complicated by hypoxia B.Lack of oxygen in the red blood cells C.Obstruction to circulation D.Elevated serum bilirubin concentration

Answer: C Characteristic sickle cells tend to cause "log jams" in capillaries. This results in poor circulation to local tissues, leading to ischemia and necrosis. The basic defect in sickle cell disease is an abnormality in the structure of RBCs. The erythrocytes are sickle-shaped, rough in texture, and rigid. Sickle cell disease is an inherited disease, not an autoimmune reaction. Elevated serum bilirubin concentrations are associated with jaundice, not sickle cell disease.

Which of the following would the nurse identify as the priority nursing diagnosis during a toddler's vasoocclusive sickle cell crisis? A.Ineffective coping related to the presence of a life-threatening disease B.Decreased cardiac output related to abnormal hemoglobin formation C.Pain related to tissue hypoxia D.Excess fluid volume related to infection

Answer: C For the child in a sickle cell crisis, pain is the priority nursing diagnosis because the sickled cells clump and obstruct the blood vessels, leading to occlusive and subsequent tissue ischemia. Although ineffective coping may be important, it is not the priority. Decreased cardiac output is not a problem with this type of vasoocclusive crisis. Typically, a sickle cell crisis can be precipitated by a fluid volume deficit or dehydration.

A nurse is preparing for the admission of a child with a diagnosis of acute-stage Kawasaki disease. On assessment of the child, the nurse expects to note which clinical manifestation of the acute stage of the disease? a) cracked lips b) a normal appearance c) conjunctival hyperemia d) desquamation of the skin

Answer: C In the acute stage, the child has a fever, conjunctival hyperemia, red throat, swollen hands, rash, and enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes. In the subacute stage, cracking lips and fissures, desquamation of the skin on the tips of the fingers and toes, joint pain, cardiac manifestations, and thrombocytosis occur. In the convalescent stage, the child appears normal, but signs of inflammation may be present.

A 16 month old child diagnosed with Kawasaki Disease (KD) is very irritable,refuses to eat, and exhibits peeling skin on the hands and feet. Which of the following would the nurse interpret as the priority? a) applying lotions to the hands and feet b) offering foods the toddler likes c) placing the toddler in a quiet environment d) encouraging the parents to get some rest

Answer: C One of the characteristics of children with KD is irritability. They are often inconsolable.Placing the child in a quiet environment may help quiet the child and reduce the workload of the heart. The child's irritability takes priority over peeling of the skin.

A clinic nurse instructs the mother of a child with sickle cell disease about the precipitating factors related to pain crisis. Which of the following, if identified by the mother as a precipitating factor, indicates the need for further instructions? A.Infection B.Trauma C.Fluid overload D.Stress

Answer: C Pain crisis may be precipitated by infection, dehydration, hypoxia, trauma, or physical or emotional stress. The mother of a child with sickle cell disease should encourage fluid intake of 1 ½ to 2 times the daily requirement to prevent dehydration.

A 10-year-old child has just received his first immunization of influenza vaccine. His lips begin to swell, and he states, "It feels like my throat is closing shut and my chest is tight when I breathe." The nurse recognizes these as signs of which of the following? A) A common systemic allergic reaction to immunization B) A local allergic reaction to the influenza vaccine injection C) A life-threatening reaction to the influenza vaccine D) An anxiety reaction due to receiving an injection

Answer: C This child's reaction describes angioedema, laryngeal edema, and respiratory distress, indicating impending anaphylactic shock. All other answer choices are possible reactions to immunizations, but are non-life-threatening.

A child diagnosed with tetralogy of fallot becomes upset, crying and thrashing around when a blood specimen is obtained. The child's color becomes blue and respiratory rate increases to 44 bpm. Which of the following actions would the nurse do first? a) obtain an order for sedation for the child b) assess for an irregular heart rate and rhythm c) explain to the child that it will only hurt for a short time d) place the child in knee-to-chest position

Answer: D. the child is experiencing a "tet spell" or hypoxic episode. Therefore the nurse should place the child in a knee-to-chest position. Flexing the legs reduces venous flow of blood from lower extremities and reduces the volume of blood being shunted through the interventricular septal defect and the overriding aorta in the child with tetralogy of fallot. As a result, the blood then entering the systemic circulation has higher oxygen content, and dyspnea is reduced. Flexing the legs also increases vascular resistance and pressure in the left ventricle. An infant often assumes a knee-to-chest position to relieve dyspnea. If this position is ineffective, then the child may need sedative. Once the child is in this position, the nurse may assess for an irregular heart rate and rhythm. Explaining tho the child that it will only hurt for a short time does nothing to alleviate hypoxia.