Peds Exam 1
Match each neurologic reflex that appears in infancy to its description. a. Labyrinth righting b. Body righting c. Otolith righting d. Landau e. Parachute 1. When the body of an erect infant is tilted, the head is returned to an upright, erect position. 2. An infant in the prone or supine position is able to raise his or her head. 3. Turning the hips and shoulders to one side causes all the other body parts to follow. 4. When the infant is suspended in a horizontal prone position and suddenly thrust downward, the hands and fingers extend forward as if to protect against falling. 5. When the infant is suspended in a horizontal prone position, the head is raised and the legs and spine are extended.
1. ANS: C 2. ANS: A 3. ANS: B 4. ANS: E 5. ANS: D
What information should be given to the parents of a 12-month-old child regarding appropriate play activities for this age? a. Give large pushpull toys for kinetic stimulation. b. Place a cradle gym across the crib to help develop fine motor skills. c. Provide the child with finger paints to enhance fine motor skills. d. Provide a stick horse to develop gross motor coordination
ANS: A A 12-month-old child is able to pull to a stand and walk holding on or independently. Appropriate toys for this age child include large pushpull toys for kinetic stimulation. A cradle gym should not be placed across the crib. Finger paints are appropriate for older children. A 12-month-old child does not have the stability to use a stick horse.
What information should be given to the parents of a 12-month-old child regarding appropriate play activities for this age? a. Give large pushpull toys for kinetic stimulation. b. Place a cradle gym across the crib to help develop fine motor skills. c. Provide the child with finger paints to enhance fine motor skills. d. Provide a stick horse to develop gross motor coordination.
ANS: A A 12-month-old child is able to pull to a stand and walk holding on or independently. Appropriate toys for this age child include large pushpull toys for kinetic stimulation. A cradle gym should not be placed across the crib. Finger paints are appropriate for older children. A 12-month-old child does not have the stability to use a stick horse.
An infant, age 5 months, is brought to the clinic by his parents for a well-baby checkup. What is the best advice that the nurse should include at this time about injury prevention? a. Keep buttons, beads, and other small objects out of his reach. b. Do not permit him to chew paint from window ledges because he might absorb too much lead. c. When he learns to roll over, you must supervise him whenever he is on a surface from which he might fall. d. Lock the crib sides securely because he may stand and lean against them and fall out of bed.
ANS: A Aspiration of foreign objects is a great risk at this age. Parents are instructed to keep small objects out of the infants reach. At this age, the child is not mobile enough to reach window sills. If window sills have cracked or chipped paint, it needs to be removed before he is a toddler. This child should already be rolling over. This information is reinforced but should have been taught earlier. Pulling to a stand occurs between 8 and 12 months of age
The parents of a 2-year-old child tell the nurse they are concerned because the toddler has started to use baby talk since the arrival of their new baby. What should the nurse recommend? a. Ignore the baby talk. b. Tell the toddler frequently, You are a big kid now. c. Explain to the toddler that baby talk is for babies. d. Encourage the toddler to practice more advanced patterns of speech.
ANS: A Baby talk is a sign of regression in the toddler. Often toddlers attempt to cope with a stressful situation by reverting to patterns of behavior that were successful in earlier stages of development. It should be ignored while the parents praise the child for developmentally appropriate behaviors. Regression is childrens way of expressing stress. The parents should not introduce new expectations and allow the child to master the developmental tasks without criticism.
Because children younger than 5 years are egocentric, the nurse should do which when communicating with them? a. Focus communication on the child. b. Use easy analogies when possible. c. Explain experiences of others to the child. d. Assure the child that communication is private.
ANS: A Because children of this age are able to see things only in terms of themselves, the best approach is to focus communication directly on them. Children should be provided with information about what they can do and how they will feel. With children who are egocentric, analogies, experiences, and assurances that communication is private will not be effective because the child is not capable of understanding.
What is an appropriate play activity for a 7-month-old infant to encourage visual stimulation? a. Playing peek-a-boo b. Playing pat-a-cake c. Imitating animal sounds d. Showing how to clap hands
ANS: A Because object permanence is a new achievement, peek-a-boo is an excellent activity to practice this new skill for visual stimulation. Playing pat-a-cake and showing how to clap hands help with kinetic stimulation. Imitating animal sounds helps with auditory stimulation.
According to Piaget, magical thinking is the belief of which? a. Thoughts are all powerful. b. God is an imaginary friend. c. Events have cause and effect. d. If the skin is broken, the insides will come out.
ANS: A Because of their egocentrism and transductive reasoning, preschoolers believe that thoughts are all powerful. Believing God is an imaginary friend is an example of concrete thinking in a preschoolers spiritual development. Cause-and-effect implies logical thought, not magical thinking. Believing that if the skin is broken, the insides will come out is an example of concrete thinking in development of body image.
The nurse should expect a toddler to cope with the stress of a short period of separation from parents by displaying what? a. Regression b. Happiness c. Detachment d. Indifference
ANS: A Children in the toddler stage demonstrate goal-directed behaviors when separated from parents for short periods. They may demonstrate displeasure on the parents return or departure by having temper tantrums; refusing to comply with the usual routines of mealtime, bedtime, or toileting; or regressing to more primitive levels of development. Detachment would be seen with a prolonged absence of parents, not a short one. Toddlers would not be indifferent or happy when experiencing short separations from parents.
The parent of an infant with colic tells the nurse, All this baby does is scream at me; it is a constant worry. What is the nurses best action? a. Encourage the parent to verbalize feelings. b. Encourage the parent not to worry so much. c. Assess the parent for other signs of inadequate parenting. d. Reassure the parent that colic rarely lasts past age 9 months.
ANS: A Colic is multifactorial, and no single treatment is effective for all infants. The parent is verbalizing concern and worry. The nurse should allow the parent to put these feelings into words. An empathetic, gentle, and reassuring attitude, in addition to suggestions about remedies, will help alleviate the parents anxiety. The nurse should reassure the parent that he or she is not doing anything wrong. The infant with colic is experiencing spasmodic pain that is manifested by loud crying, in some cases up to 3 hours each day. Telling the parent that it will eventually go away does not help him or her through the current situation.
When discussing discipline with the mother of a 4-year-old child, which should the nurse include? a. Parental control should be consistent. b. Withdrawal of love and approval is effective at this age. c. Children as young as 4 years rarely need to be disciplined. d. One should expect rules to be followed rigidly and unquestioningly.
ANS: A For effective discipline, parents must be consistent and must follow through with agreed-on actions. Withdrawal of love and approval is never appropriate or effective. The 4-year-old child will test limits and may misbehave. Children of this age do not respond to verbal reasoning. Realistic goals should be set for this age group. Discipline is necessary to reinforce these goals. Discipline strategies should be appropriate to the childs age and temperament and the severity of the misbehavior. Following rules rigidly and unquestioningly is beyond the developmental capabilities of a 4-year-old child.
The inheritance of which is X-linked recessive? a. Hemophilia A b. Marfan syndrome c. Neurofibromatosis d. Fragile X syndrome
ANS: A Hemophilia A is inherited as an X-linked recessive trait. Marfan syndrome and neurofibromatosis are inherited as autosomal dominant disorders. Fragile X is inherited as an X-linked trait.
The mother of a 3-month-old breastfed infant asks about giving her baby water because it is summer and very warm. What should the nurse tell her? a. Fluids in addition to breast milk are not needed. b. Water should be given if the infant seems to nurse longer than usual. c. Clear juices are better than water to promote adequate fluid intake. d. Water once or twice a day will make up for losses resulting from environmental temperature.
ANS: A Infants who are breastfed or bottle fed do not need additional water during the first 4 months of life. Excessive intake of water can create problems such as water intoxication, hyponatremia, or failure to thrive. Juices provide empty calories for infants.
When is isotretinoin (Accutane) indicated for the treatment of acne during adolescence? a. The acne has not responded to other treatments. b. The adolescent is or may become pregnant. c. The adolescent is unable to give up foods causing acne. d. Frequent washing with antibacterial soap has been unsuccessful.
ANS: A Isotretinoin is reserved for severe cystic acne that has not responded to other treatments. Isotretinoin has teratogenic effects and should never be used when there is a possibility of pregnancy. No correlation exists between foods and acne. Antibacterial soaps are ineffective. Frequent washing with antibacterial soap is not a recommended therapy for acne
Parents tell the nurse that their toddler eats little at mealtime, only sits at the table with the family briefly, and wants snacks all the time. What should the nurse recommend? a. Give her nutritious snacks. b. Offer rewards for eating at mealtimes. c. Avoid snacks so she is hungry at mealtimes. d. Explain to her in a firm manner what is expected of her.
ANS: A Most toddlers exhibit a physiologic anorexia in response to the decreased nutritional requirements associated with the slower growth rate. Parents should assist the child in developing healthy eating habits. Toddlers are often unable to sit through a meal. Frequent nutritious snacks are a good way to ensure proper nutrition. To help with developing healthy eating habits, food should be not be used as positive or negative reinforcement Test Bank - Wong's Nursing Care of Infants and Children (11e by Hockenberry) 221 for behavior. The child may develop habits of overeating or eat non-nutritious foods in response. A toddler is not able to understand explanations of what is expected of her and comply with the expectations.
Children as young as age 3 years can use facial scales for discrimination. What are some suggested anchor words for the preschool age group? a. No hurt. b. Red pain. c. Zero hurt. d. Least pain.
ANS: A No hurt is a phrase that is simple, concrete, and appropriate to the preoperational stage of the child. Using color is complicated for this age group. The child needs to identify colors and pain levels and then choose an appropriate symbolic color. This is appropriate for an older child. Zero is an abstract construct not appropriate for this age group. Least pain is less concrete than no hurt
What describes nonpharmacologic techniques for pain management? a. They may reduce pain perception. b. They usually take too long to implement. c. They make pharmacologic strategies unnecessary. d. They trick children into believing they do not have pain.
ANS: A Nonpharmacologic techniques provide coping strategies that may help reduce pain perception, make the pain more tolerable, decrease anxiety, and enhance the effectiveness of analgesics. The nonpharmacologic strategy should be matched with the childs pain severity and be taught to the child before the onset of the painful experience. Tricking children into believing they do not have pain may mitigate the childs experience with mild pain, but the child will still know the discomfort was present.
The nurse is preparing to assess a 10-month-old infant. He is sitting on his fathers lap and appears to be afraid of the nurse and of what might happen next. Which initial actions by the nurse should be most appropriate? a. Initiate a game of peek-a-boo. b. Ask the infants father to place the infant on the examination table. c. Talk softly to the infant while taking him from his father. d. Undress the infant while he is still sitting on his fathers lap
ANS: A Peek-a-boo is an excellent means of initiating communication with infants while maintaining a safe, nonthreatening distance. The child will most likely become upset if separated from his father. As much of the assessment as possible should be done with the child on the fathers lap. The nurse should have the father undress the child as needed during the examination.
When assessing a family, the nurse determines that the parents exert little or no control over their children. This style of parenting is called which? a. Permissive b. Dictatorial c. Democratic d. Authoritarian
ANS: A Permissive parents avoid imposing their own standards of conduct and allow their children to regulate their own activity as much as possible. The parents exert little or no control over their childrens actions. Dictatorial or authoritarian parents attempt to control their childrens behavior and attitudes through unquestioned mandates. They establish rules and regulations or standards of conduct that they expect to be followed rigidly and unquestioningly. Democratic parents combine permissive and dictatorial styles. They direct their childrens behavior and attitudes by emphasizing the reasons for rules and negatively reinforcing deviations. They respect their childrens individual natures.
A breastfed infant is being seen in the clinic for a 6-month checkup. The mother tells the nurse that the infant recently began to suck her thumb. Which is the best nursing intervention? a. Reassure the mother that this is normal at this age. b. Recommend the mother substitute a pacifier for her thumb. c. Assess the infant for other signs of sensory deprivation. d. Suggest the mother breastfeed the infant more often to satisfy her sucking needs.
ANS: A Sucking is an infants chief pleasure, and the infant may not be satisfied by bottle-feeding or breastfeeding alone. During infancy and early childhood, there is no need to restrict nonnutritive sucking. The nurse should explore with the mother her feelings about a pacifier versus the thumb. No data support that the child has sensory deprivation
The nurse is caring for a child receiving a continuous intravenous (IV) low-dose infusion of morphine for severe postoperative pain. The nurse observes a slower respiratory rate, and the child cannot be aroused. The most appropriate management of this child is for the nurse to do which first? a. Administer naloxone (Narcan). b. Discontinue the IV infusion. c. Discontinue morphine until the child is fully awake. d. Stimulate the child by calling his or her name, shaking gently, and asking the child to breathe deeply.
ANS: A The management of opioid-induced respiratory depression includes lowering the rate of infusion and stimulating the child. If the respiratory rate is depressed and the child cannot be aroused, then IV naloxone should be administered. The child will be in pain because of the reversal of the morphine. The morphine should be discontinued, but naloxone is indicated if the child is unresponsive.
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 nurses 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.
According to Erikson, the psychosocial task of adolescence is developing what? a. Identity b. Intimacy c. Initiative d. Independence
ANS: A Traditional psychosocial theory holds that the developmental crises of adolescence lead to the formation of a sense of identity. Intimacy is the developmental stage for early adulthood. Independence is not one of Eriksons developmental stages.
What statement is correct about young children who report sexual abuse? a. They may exhibit various behavioral manifestations. b. In more than half the cases, the child has fabricated the story. c. Their stories should not be believed unless other evidence is apparent. d. They should be able to retell the story the same way to another person.
ANS: A Victims of sexual abuse have no typical profile. The child may exhibit various behavioral manifestations, none of which is diagnostic for sexual abuse. When children report potentially sexually abusive experiences, their reports need to be taken seriously. Other children in the household also need to be evaluated. In children who are sexually abused, it is often difficult to identify other evidence. In one study, approximately 96% of children who were sexually abused had normal genital and anal findings. The ability to retell the story is partly dependent on the childs cognitive level. Children who repeatedly tell identical stories may have been coached.
The nurse is checking reflexes on a 7-month-old infant. When the infant is suspended in a horizontal prone position, the head is raised and the legs and spine are extended. Which reflex is this? a. Landau b. Parachute c. Body righting d. Labyrinth righting
ANS: A When the infant is suspended in a horizontal prone position, the head is raised and the legs and spine are extended; this describes the Landau reflex. It appears at 6 to 8 months and persists until 12 to 24 months. The parachute reflex occurs when the infant is suspended in a horizontal prone position and suddenly thrust downward; the infant extends the hands and fingers forward as if to protect against falling. This appears at age 7 to 9 months and lasts indefinitely. Body righting occurs when turning the hips and shoulders to one side causes all other body parts to follow. It appears at 6 months of age and persists until 24 to 36 months. The labyrinth-righting reflex appears at 2 months and is strongest at 10 months. This reflex involves holding infants in the prone or supine position. They are able to raise their heads.
Lactose intolerance is diagnosed in an 11-month-old infant. Which should the nurse recommend as a milk substitute? a. Yogurt b. Ice cream c. Fortified cereal d. Cows milkbased formula
ANS: A Yogurt contains the inactive lactase enzyme, which is activated by the temperature and pH of the duodenum. This lactase activity substitutes for the lack of endogenous lactase. Ice cream and cows milkbased formula contain lactose, which will probably not be tolerated by the child. Fortified cereal does not have the nutritional equivalents of milk.
The nurses approach when introducing hospital equipment to a preschooler who seems afraid should be based on which principle? a. The child may think the equipment is alive. b. Explaining the equipment will only increase the childs fear. c. One brief explanation will be enough to reduce the childs fear. d. The child is too young to understand what the equipment does.
ANS: A Young children attribute human characteristics to inanimate objects. They often fear that the objects may jump, bite, cut, or pinch all by themselves without human direction. Equipment should be kept out of sight until needed. Simple, concrete explanations about what the equipment does and how it will feel will help alleviate the childs fear. Preschoolers need repeated explanations as reassurance.
The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 4-month-old infant on preventing an aspiration injury. What should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.) a. Keep baby powder out of reach. b. Inspect toys for removable parts. c. Allow the infant to take a bottle to bed. d. Teething biscuits can be used for teething discomfort. e. The infant should not be fed hard candy, nuts, or foods with pits.
ANS: A, B, E Anticipatory guidance to prevent aspiration for a 4-month-old infant takes into account that the infant will begin to be more active and place objects in the mouth. Toys should be checked for removable parts; baby powder should be kept out of reach; and hard candy, nuts, and foods with pits should be avoided. The infant should not go to bed with a bottle. Teething biscuits should be used with caution because large chunks may be broken off and aspirated.
The nurse is preparing to admit a 6-month-old child with gastroesophageal reflux disease. What clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to observe? (Select all that apply.) a. Spitting up b. Bilious vomiting c. Failure to thrive d. Excessive crying e. Respiratory problems
ANS: A, C, D, E Clinical manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease include spitting up, failure to thrive, excessive crying, and respiratory problems. Hematemesis, not bilious vomiting, is a manifestation.
The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 1-month-old infant on preventing a suffocation injury. Which should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.) a. Do not place pillows in the infants crib. b. Crib slats should be 4 inches or less apart. c. Keep all plastic bags stored out of the infants reach. d. Plastic over the mattress is acceptable if it is covered with a sheet. e. A pacifier should not be tied on a string around the infants neck.
ANS: A, C, E Anticipatory guidance for a 1-month-old infant to prevent a suffocation injury takes into account that the infant will have increased eyehand coordination and a voluntary grasp reflex as well as a crawling reflex that may propel the infant forward or backward. Pillows should not be placed in the infants crib, plastic bags should be kept out of reach, and a pacifier should not be tied on a string around the neck. Crib slats should be 2.4 inches apart (4 inches is too wide), and the mattress should not be covered with plastic even if a sheet is used to cover it.
The nurse is planning care for an infant with candidiasis (moniliasis) diaper dermatitis. Which topical ointments may be prescribed for the patient? (Select all that apply.) a. Nystatin b. Bactroban c. Neosporin d. Miconazole e. Clotrimazole
ANS: A, D, E Candidiasis diaper dermatitis skin lesions are treated with topical nystatin, miconazole, and clotrimazole. Bactroban and Neosporin are used to treat bacterial dermatitides.
The nurse is teaching parents about potential causes of colic in infancy. Which should the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.) a. Overeating b. Understimulation c. Frequent burping d. Parental smoking e. Swallowing excessive air
ANS: A, D, E Potential causes of colic include too rapid feeding, overeating, swallowing excessive air, improper feeding technique (especially in positioning and burping), emotional stress or tension between the parent and child, parental smoking, and overstimulation.
Which type of family should the nurse recognize when a mother, her children, and a stepfather live together? a. Traditional nuclear b. Blended c. Extended d. Binuclear
ANS: B A blended family contains at least one stepparent, stepsibling, or half-sibling. A traditional nuclear family consists of a married couple and their biologic children. No other relatives or nonrelatives are present in the household. An extended family contains at least one parent, one or more children, and one or more members (related or unrelated) other than a parent or sibling. In binuclear families, parents continue the parenting role while terminating the spousal unit. For example, when joint custody is assigned by the court, each parent has equal rights and responsibilities for the minor child or children.
When the nurse interviews an adolescent, which is especially important? a. Focus the discussion on the peer group. b. Allow an opportunity to express feelings. c. Use the same type of language as the adolescent. d. Emphasize that confidentiality will always be maintained.
ANS: B Adolescents, like all children, need opportunities to express their feelings. Often they interject feelings into their words. The nurse must be alert to the words and feelings expressed. The nurse should maintain a professional relationship with adolescents. To avoid misunderstanding or misinterpretation of words and phrases used, the nurse should clarify the terms used, what information will be shared with other members of the health care team, and any limits to confidentiality. Although the peer group is important to this age group, the interview should focus on the adolescent.
At which age should the nurse expect an infant to begin smiling in response to pleasurable stimuli? a. 1 month b. 2 months C. 3 months d. 4 months
ANS: B At age 2 months, the infant has a social, responsive smile. A reflex smile is usually present at age 1 month. A 3-month-old infant can recognize familiar faces. At age 4 months, infants can enjoy social interactions.
The nurse is interviewing the father of a 10-month-old girl. The child is playing on the floor when she notices an electrical outlet and reaches up to touch it. Her father says no firmly and moves her away from the outlet. The nurse should use this opportunity to teach the father what? a. That the child should be given a time-out b. That the child is old enough to understand the word no c. That the child will learn safety issues better if she is spanked d. That the child should already know that electrical outlets are dangerous
ANS: B By age 10 months, children are able to associate meaning with words. The father is using both verbal and physical cues to alert the child to dangerous situations. A time-out is not appropriate. The child is just learning about the environment. Physical discipline should be avoided. The 10-month-old child is too young to understand the purpose of an electrical outlet.
The nurse is explaining different parenting styles to a group of parents. The nurse explains that an authoritative parenting style can lead to which child behavior? a. Shyness b. Self-reliance c. Submissiveness d. Self-consciousness
ANS: B Children raised by parents with an authoritative parenting style tend to have high self-esteem and are selfreliant, assertive, inquisitive, content, and highly interactive with other children. Children raised by parents with an authoritarian parenting style tend to be sensitive, shy, self-conscious, retiring, and submissive.
A hospitalized school-age child with phenylketonuria (PKU) is choosing foods from the hospitals menu. Which food choice should the nurse discourage the child from choosing? a. Banana b. Milkshake c. Fruit juice d. Corn on the cob
ANS: B Foods with low phenylalanine levels (e.g., some vegetables [except legumes]; fruits; juices; and some cereals, breads, and starches) must be measured to provide the prescribed amount of phenylalanine. Most high-protein foods, such as meat and dairy products, are either eliminated or restricted to small amounts.
In terms of cognitive development, a 5-year-old child should be expected to do which? a. Think abstractly. b. Use magical thinking. c. Understand conservation of matter. d. Understand another persons perspective.
ANS: B Magical thinking is believing that thoughts can cause events. An example is thinking of the death of a parent might cause it to happen. Abstract thought does not develop until the school-age years. The concept of conservation is the cognitive task of school-age children, ages 5 to 7 years. A 5-year-old child cannot understand another persons perspective.
What is the best age to introduce solid food into an infants diet? a. 2 to 3 months b. 4 to 6 months c. When birth weight has tripled d. When tooth eruption has started
ANS: B Physiologically and developmentally, 4- to 6-month-old infants are in a transition period. The extrusion reflex has disappeared, and swallowing is a more coordinated process. In addition, the gastrointestinal tract has matured sufficiently to handle more complex nutrients and is less sensitive to potentially allergenic food. Infants of this age will try to help during feeding. Two to 3 months is too young. The extrusion reflex is strong, and the child will push food out with the tongue. No research indicates that the addition of solid food to a bottle has any benefit. Infant birth weight doubles at 1 year. Solid foods can be started earlier. Tooth eruption can facilitate biting and chewing; most infant foods do not require this ability
After the introduction of the Back to Sleep campaign in 1992, an increased incidence has been noted of which pediatric issues? a. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) b. Plagiocephaly c. Failure to thrive d. Apnea of infancy
ANS: B Plagiocephaly is a misshapen head caused by the prolonged pressure on one side of the skull. If that side becomes misshapen, facial asymmetry may result. SIDS has decreased by more than 40% with the introduction of the Back to Sleep campaign. Apnea of infancy and failure to thrive are unrelated to the Back to Sleep campaign
. The nurse is teaching a class on preventing diaper rash in newborns to a group of new parents. Which statement made by a parent indicates a correct understanding of the teaching? a. I should cleanse my infants skin with a commercial diaper wipe every time I change the diaper. b. If my infants buttocks become slightly red, I will expose the skin to air. c. I should wash my infants buttocks with soap before applying a thin layer of oil. d. I will apply baby oil and powder to the creases in my infants buttocks.
ANS: B Slightly irritated skin can be exposed to air, not heat, to dry completely. Overwashing or cleansing the skin every diaper change with commercial wipes should be avoided. The skin should be thoroughly dried after washing. Application of oil does not create an effective barrier. Baby powder should not be used because of the danger of aspiration.
A 6-year-old child has had a tonsillectomy. The child is spitting up small amounts of dark brown blood in the immediate postoperative period. The nurse should take what action? a. Notify the health care provider. b. Continue to assess for bleeding. c. Give the child a red flavored ice pop. d. Position the child in a Trendelenburg position
ANS: B Some secretions, particularly dried blood from surgery, are common after a tonsillectomy. Inspect all secretions and vomitus for evidence of fresh bleeding (some blood-tinged mucus is expected). Dark brown (old) blood is usually present in the emesis, as well as in the nose and between the teeth. Small amounts of dark brown blood should be further monitored. A red-flavored ice pop should not be given and the Trendelenburg position is not recommended.
What is an important consideration when using the FACES pain rating scale with children? a. Children color the face with the color they choose to best describe their pain. b. The scale can be used with most children as young as 3 years. c. The scale is not appropriate for use with adolescents. d. The FACES scale is useful in pain assessment but is not as accurate as physiologic responses.
ANS: B The FACES scale is validated for use with children ages 3 years and older. Children point to the face that best describes their level of pain. The scale can be used through adulthood. The childs estimate of the pain should be used. The physiologic measures may not reflect more long-term pain.
The nurse is discussing development and play activities with the parent of a 2-month-old boy. Which statement by the parent would indicate a correct understanding of the teaching? a. I can give my baby a ball of yarn to pull apart or different textured fabrics to feel. b. I can use a music box and soft mobiles as appropriate play activities for my baby. c. I should introduce a cup and spoon or pushpull toys for my baby at this age. d. I do not have to worry about appropriate play activities at this age.
ANS: B Music boxes and soft mobiles are appropriate play activities for a 2-month-old infant. A ball of yarn to pull apart or different textured fabrics are appropriate for an infant at 6 to 9 months. A cup and spoon or pushpull toys are appropriate for an older infant. Infants of all ages should be exposed to appropriate types of stimulation.
Which drug is usually the best choice for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for a child in the immediate postoperative period? a. Codeine sulfate (Codeine) b. Morphine (Roxanol) c. Methadone (Dolophine) d. Meperidine (Demerol)
ANS: B The most commonly prescribed medications for PCA are morphine, hydromorphone, and fentanyl. Parenteral use of codeine is not recommended. Methadone in parenteral form is not used in a PCA but is given orally or intravenously for pain in the infant. Meperidine is not used for continuous and extended pain relief.
The nurse is teaching a group of parents at a community education program about introducing solid foods to their infants. Which recommendations should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.) a. Spoon feeding should be introduced after an entire milk feeding. b. It is best to introduce a wide variety of foods during the first year. c. As solid food consumption increases, the quantity of milk should decrease. d. Introduction of low-calorie milk and food should be done by the end of the first year. e. Introduction of citrus fruits, meats, and eggs should be delayed until after 6 months of age. f. Each new food item should be introduced at 5- to 7-day intervals
ANS: B, C, E, F Teaching related to feeding an infant solid foods should include introducing a wide variety of foods because an infant has not developed a strong food preference as seen with a toddler. As solid food consumption increases, the amount of milk consumed should decrease to less than 1 L/day to prevent overfeeding. Introduction to citrus fruits, meats, and eggs should be delayed until after 6 months of age because of the potential to cause food allergies. New foods should be introduced at 5- to 7-day intervals to evaluate for food allergies. Spoon feedings should be introduced after a small ingestion of milk, not at the end of a milk feeding, to associate the activity with pleasure. In general, low-calorie milk and food should be avoided.
At which age should the nurse expect most infants to begin to say mama and dada with meaning? a. 4 months b. 6 months c. 10 months d. 14 months
ANS: C Beginning at about age 10 months, an infant is able to ascribe meaning to the words mama and dada. Four to 6 months is too young for this behavior to develop. At 14 months, the child should be able to attach meaning to these words. By age 1 year, the child can say three to five words with meaning and understand as many as 100 words.
A 17-month-old child should be expected to be in which stage, according to Piaget? a. Preoperations b. Concrete operations c. Tertiary circular reactions d. Secondary circular reactions
ANS: C A 17-month-old is in the fifth stage of the sensorimotor phase, tertiary circular reactions. The child uses active experimentation to achieve previously unattainable goals. Preoperations is the stage of cognitive development usually present in older toddlers and preschoolers. Concrete operations is the cognitive stage associated with school-age children. The secondary circular reaction stage lasts from about ages 4 to 8 months
The nurse is performing an assessment on a 12-month-old infant. Which fine or gross motor developmental skill demonstrates the proximodistal acquisition of skills? a. Standing b. Sitting without assistance c. Fully developed pincer grasp d. Taking a few steps holding onto something
ANS: C Acquisition of fine and gross motor skills occurs in an orderly center-to-periphery (proximodistal) or head-totoe (cephalocaudal) sequence. A fully developed pincer grasp is an example of the proximodistal development because infants use a palmar grasp before developing the finer pincer grasp. Standing, sitting without assistance, and taking a few steps are examples of a cephalocaudal development sequence.
A mother tells the clinic nurse that she often puts honey on her infants pacifier to soothe the infant. What response should the nurse make to the mother? a. That is a good way to soothe your baby. b. Honey does not have any soothing effects. c. There is still a risk for infant botulism from honey. d. Honey is OK, but it should not be put on the pacifier
ANS: C Although the precise source of Clostridium botulinum spores has not been identified as originating from honey in many cases of infant botulism in the United States, it is still recommended that honey not be given to infants younger than 12 months because the spores have been found in honey.
Which type of family should the nurse recognize when the paternal grandmother, the parents, and two minor children live together? a. Blended b. Nuclear c. Extended d. Binuclear
ANS: C An extended family contains at least one parent, one or more children, and one or more members other than a parent or sibling. A blended family contains at least one stepparent, stepsibling, or half- sibling. A nuclear family consists of two parents and their children. No other relatives or nonrelatives are present in the household. In binuclear families, parents continue the parenting role while terminating the spousal unit. For example, when joint custody is assigned by the court, each parent has equal rights and responsibilities for the minor child or children
During the 2-month well-child checkup, the nurse expects the infant to respond to sound in which manner? a. Respond to name. b. React to loud noise with Moro reflex. c. Turn his or her head to side when sound is at ear level. d. Locate sound by turning his or her head in a curving arc.
ANS: C At 2 months of age, an infant should turn his or her head to the side when a noise is made at ear level. At birth, infants respond to sound with a startle or Moro reflex. An infant responds to his or her name and locates sounds by turning his or her head in a curving arc at age 6 to 9 months.
At which age do most infants begin to fear strangers? a. 2 months b. 4 months c. 6 months d. 12 months
ANS: C Between ages 6 and 8 months, fear of strangers and stranger anxiety become prominent and are related to infants ability to discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar people. At 2 months, infants are just beginning to respond differentially to their mothers. The infant at age 4 months is beginning the process of separationindividuation, which involves recognizing the self and mother as separate beings. Twelve months is too late; the infant requires referral for evaluation if he or she does not fear strangers by this age.
The nurse is examining an infant, age 10 months, who was brought to the clinic for persistent diaper rash. The nurse finds perianal inflammation with satellite lesions. What is the most likely cause? a. Impetigo b. Urine and feces c. Candida albicans infection d. Infrequent diapering
ANS: C C. albicans infection produces perianal inflammation and a maculopapular rash with satellite lesions that may cross the inguinal folds. Impetigo is a bacterial infection that spreads peripherally in sharply marginated, irregular outlines. Eruptions involving the skin in contact with the diaper but sparing the folds are likely to be caused by chemical irritation, especially urine and feces, and may be related to infrequent diapering
A new parent asks the nurse, How can diaper rash be prevented? What should the nurse recommend? a. Wash the infant with soap before applying a thin layer of oil. b. Clean the infant with soap and water every time diaper is changed. c. Wipe stool from the skin using water and a mild cleanser. d. When changing the diaper, wipe the buttocks with oil and powder the creases.
ANS: C Change the diaper as soon as it becomes soiled. Gently wipe stool from the skin with water and mild soap. The skin should be thoroughly dried after washing. Applying oil does not create an effective barrier. Over washing the skin should be avoided, especially with perfumed soaps or commercial wipes, which may be irritating. Baby powder should not be used because of the danger of aspiration.
What is a characteristic of a toddlers language development at age 18 months? a. Vocabulary of 25 words b. Use of holophrases c. Increasing level of understanding d. Approximately one third of speech understandable
ANS: C During the second year of life, the understanding and understanding of speech increase to a level far greater than the childs vocabulary. This is also true for bilingual children, who are able to achieve this linguistic milestone in both languages. An 18-month-old child has a vocabulary of approximately 10 words. At this age, the child does not use the one-word sentences that are characteristic of 1-year-old children. The child has a very limited vocabulary of single words that are comprehensible.
The parent of 2-week-old infant asks the nurse if fluoride supplements are necessary because the infant is exclusively breastfed. What is the nurses best response? a. The infant needs to begin taking them now. b. Supplements are not needed if you drink fluoridated water. c. The infant may need to begin taking them at age 6 months. d. The infant can have infant cereal mixed with fluoridated water instead of supplements.
ANS: C Fluoride supplementation is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics beginning at age 6 months if the child is not drinking adequate amounts of fluoridated water. Supplementation is not recommended before age 6 months regardless of whether the mother drinks fluoridated water. Infant cereal is not recommended at 2 weeks of age.
During an otoscopic examination on an infant, in which direction is the pinna pulled? a. Up and back b. Up and forward c. Down and back d. Down and forward
ANS: C In infants and toddlers, the ear canal is curved upward. To visualize the ear canal, it is necessary to pull the pinna down and back to the 6 to 9 oclock range to straighten the canal. In children older than age 3 years and adults, the canal curves downward and forward. The pinna is pulled up and back to the 10 oclock position. Up and forward and down and forward are positions that do not facilitate visualization of the ear canal.
Descriptions of young people with anorexia nervosa (AN) often include which criteria? a. Impulsive b. Extroverted c. Perfectionist d. Low achieving
ANS: C Individuals with AN are described as striving for perfection, which may manifest in other compulsive disorders. They are also academically high achievers. Impulsive and extroverted personalities are more characteristic of bulimia nervosa.
What behavior is the nurse most likely to assess in an adolescent with anorexia nervosa (AN)? a. Eats in secrecy b. Uses food as a coping mechanism c. Has a marked preoccupation with food d. Lacks awareness of how eating affects weight loss
ANS: C Individuals with AN display great interest in food. They prepare meals for others, talk about food, and hoard food. During meals, food play may occur to appear as if the person is eating. Persons with AN consume a small amount of food, so they have no need to eat in secrecy. Individuals with bulimia nervosa (BN) usually binge privately. Food is not used as a coping mechanism in AN, as is common in BN. Individuals with AN know about the relationship between calorie intake and calorie expenditure. They can regulate intake and then exercise to not gain or to lose weight.
According to Piaget, a 6-month-old infant should be in which developmental stage? a. Use of reflexes b. Primary circular reactions c. Secondary circular reactions d. Coordination of secondary schemata
ANS: C Infants are usually in the secondary circular reaction stage from ages 4 to 8 months. This stage is characterized by a continuation of the primary circular reaction for the response that results. Shaking is performed to hear the noise of the rattle, not just for shaking. The use of reflexes stage is primarily during the first month of life. The primary circular reaction stage marks the replacement of reflexes with voluntary acts. The infant is in this stage from ages 1 to 4 months. The fourth sensorimotor stage is coordination of secondary schemata, which occurs at ages 9 to 12 months. This is a transitional stage in which increasing motor skills enable greater exploration of the environment.
An infant weighed 8 lb at birth and was 18 inches in length. What weight and length should the infant be at 5 months of age? a. 12 lb, 20 inches b. 14 lb, 21.5 inches c. 16 lb, 23 inches d. 18 lb, 24.5 inches
ANS: C Infants gain 680 g (1.5 lb) per month until age 5 months, when the birth weight has at least doubled. Height increases by 2.5 cm (1 inch) per month during the first 6 months. Therefore, at 5 months the infant should weigh 16 lb and be 23 inches in length.
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 childs 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.
Which term is used to describe a newborns first stool? a. Milia b. Milk stool c. Meconium d. Transitional
ANS: C Meconium is composed of amniotic fluid and its constituents, intestinal secretions, shed mucosal cells, and possibly blood. It is a newborns first stool. Milia involves distended sweat glands that appear as minute vesicles, primarily on the face. Milk stool usually occurs by the fourth day. The appearance varies depending on whether the newborn is breast or formula fed. Transitional stools usually appear by the third day after the beginning of feeding. They are usually greenish brown to yellowish brown, thin, and less sticky than meconium.
. By which age should the nurse expect that an infant will be able to pull to a standing position? a. 5 to 6 months b. 7 to 8 months c. 11 to 12 months d. 14 to 15 months
ANS: C Most infants can pull themselves to a standing position at age 9 months. Infants who are not able to pull themselves to standing by age 11 to 12 months should be further evaluated for developmental dysplasia of the hip. At 6 months, infants have just obtained coordination of arms and legs. By age 8 months, infants can bear full weight on their legs.
By which age should the nurse expect that an infant will be able to pull to a standing position? a. 5 to 6 months b. 7 to 8 months c. 11 to 12 months d. 14 to 15 months
ANS: C Most infants can pull themselves to a standing position at age 9 months. Infants who are not able to pull themselves to standing by age 11 to 12 months should be further evaluated for developmental dysplasia of the hip. At 6 months, infants have just obtained coordination of arms and legs. By age 8 months, infants can bear full weight on their legs.
Chronic otitis media with effusion (OME) differs from acute otitis media (AOM) because it is usually characterized by which signs or symptoms? a. Severe pain in the ear b. Anorexia and vomiting c. A feeling of fullness in the ear d. Fever as high as 40 C (104 F)
ANS: C OME is characterized by a feeling of fullness in the ear or other nonspecific complaints. OME does not cause severe pain. This may be a sign of AOM. Vomiting, anorexia, and fever are associated with AOM.
In terms of gross motor development, what should the nurse expect an infant age 5 months to do? a. Sit erect without support. b. Roll from the back to the abdomen. c. Turn from the abdomen to the back. d. Move from a prone to a sitting position.
ANS: C Rolling from the abdomen to the back is developmentally appropriate for a 5-month-old infant. The ability to roll from the back to the abdomen is developmentally appropriate for an infant at age 6 months. Sitting erect without support is a developmental milestone usually achieved by 8 months. A 10-month-old infant can usually move from a prone to a sitting position.
An 8-year-old girl asks the nurse how the blood pressure apparatus works. The most appropriate nursing action is which? a. Ask her why she wants to know. b. Determine why she is so anxious. c. Explain in simple terms how it works. d. Tell her she will see how it works as it is used
ANS: C School-age children require explanations and reasons for everything. They are interested in the functional aspect of all procedures, objects, and activities. It is appropriate for the nurse to explain how equipment works and what will happen to the child so that the child can then observe during the procedure. The nurse should respond positively for requests for information about procedures and health information. By not responding, the nurse may be limiting communication with the child. The child is not exhibiting anxiety in asking how the blood pressure apparatus works, just requesting clarification of what will occur.
At which age can most infants sit steadily unsupported? a. 4 months b. 6 months c. 8 months d. 12 months
ANS: C Sitting erect without support is a developmental milestone usually achieved by 8 months. At age 4 months, an infant can sit with support. At age 6 months, the infant will maintai
At what age is it safe to give infants whole milk instead of commercial infant formula? a. 6 months b. 9 months c. 12 months d. 18 months
ANS: C The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend the use of cows milk for children younger than 12 months. At 6 and 9 months, the infant should be receiving breast milk or iron-fortified commercial infant formula. At age 18 months, milk and formula are supplemented with solid foods, water, and some fruit juices.
The parents of a young child ask the nurse for suggestions about discipline. When discussing the use of time-outs, which should the nurse include? a. Send the child to his or her room if the child has one. b. A general rule for length of time is 1 hour per year of age. c. Select an area that is safe and nonstimulating, such as a hallway. d. If the child cries, refuses, or is more disruptive, try another approach.
ANS: C The area must be nonstimulating and safe. The child becomes bored in this environment and then changes behavior to rejoin activities. The childs room may have toys and activities that negate the effect of being separated from the family. The general rule is 1 minute per year of age. An hour per year is excessive. When the child cries, refuses, or is more disruptive, the time-out does not start; the time-out begins when the child quiets.
At which age does an infant start to recognize familiar faces and objects, such as his or her own hand? a. 1 month b. 2 months c. 3 months d. 4 months
ANS: C The child can recognize familiar objects at approximately age 3 months. For the first 2 months of life, infants watch and observe their surroundings. The 4-month-old infant is beginning to develop handeye coordination.
The nurse should expect the apical heart rate of a stabilized newborn to be in which range? a. 60 to 80 beats/min b. 80 to 100 beats/min c. 120 to 140 beats/min d. 160 to 180 beats/min
ANS: C The pulse rate of the newborn varies with periods of reactivity. Usually the pulse rate is between 120 and 140 beats/min. Sixty to 100 beats/min is too slow for a newborn, and 160 to 180 beats/min is too fast for a newborn.
Parents ask the nurse, How should we deal with our toddlers regression since our new baby has come home? The nurse should give the parents which response? a. Introduce new areas of learning. b. Use time-out as punishment when regression occurs. c. Ignore the behavior and praise appropriate behavior. d. Explain to the toddler that the behavior is not acceptable.
ANS: C When regression does occur, the best approach is to ignore it while praising existing patterns of appropriate behavior. It is advisable not to introduce new areas of learning when an additional crisis is present or expected, such as beginning toilet training shortly before a sibling is born or during a brief hospitalization. Time-out should not be used as a punishment, and the toddler does not have the cognitive ability to understand an explanation that the behavior is not acceptable.
Which are components of the FLACC scale? (Select all that apply.) a. Color b. Capillary refill time c. Leg position d. Facial expression e. Activity
ANS: C, D, E Facial expression, consolability, cry, activity, and leg position are components of the FLACC scale. Color is a component of the Apgar scoring system. Capillary refill time is a physiologic measure that is not a component of the FLACC scale.
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.
Many adolescents use alcohol for self-medication. How does an adolescent view the benefit of alcohol? a. Believes it has a stimulant effect b. Believes it increases alertness c. Provides a sense of euphoria d. Provides a defense against depression
ANS: D Adolescents who abuse alcohol often rely on it as a defense against depression, anxiety, fear, and anger. Alcohol is a depressant and has a sedative effect. Alcohol does not provide a sense of euphoria. It does reduce inhibitions against aggressive behaviors
Which type of play is most typical of the preschool period? a. Team b. Parallel c. Solitary d. Associative
ANS: D Associative play is group play in similar or identical activities but without rigid organization or rules. School- age children play in teams. Parallel play is that of toddlers. Solitary play is that of infants.
Which characteristic best describes the fine motor skills of an infant at age 5 months? a. Neat pincer grasp b. Strong grasp reflex c. Builds a tower of two cubes d. Able to grasp object voluntarily
ANS: D At age 5 months, the infant should be able to voluntarily grasp an object. The grasp reflex is present in the first 2 to 3 months of life. Gradually, the reflex becomes voluntary. The neat pincer grasp is not achieved until age 11 months. At age 12 months, an infant will attempt to build a tower of two cubes but will most likely be unsuccessful.
The nurse is teaching parents about expected language development for their 6-month-old infant. The nurse recognizes the parents understand the teaching if they make which statement? a. Our baby should comprehend the word no. b. Our baby knows the meaning of saying mama. c. Our baby should be able to say three to five words. d. Our baby should begin to combine syllables, such as dada.
ANS: D By 6 months, infants imitate sounds; add the consonants t, d, and w; and combine syllables (e.g., dada), but they do not ascribe meaning to the word until 10 to 11 months of age. By 9 to 10 months, they comprehend the meaning of the word no and obey simple commands accompanied by gestures. By age 1 year, they can say three to five words with meaning and may understand as many as 100 words.
Which statement best describes colic? a. Periods of abdominal pain resulting in weight loss b. Usually the result of poor or inadequate mothering c. Periods of abdominal pain and crying occurring in infants older than age 6 months d. A paroxysmal abdominal pain or cramping manifested by episodes of loud crying
ANS: D Colic is described as paroxysmal abdominal pain or cramping that is manifested by loud crying and drawing up the legs to the abdomen. Weight loss is not part of the clinical picture. There are many theories about the cause of colic. Emotional stress or tension between the parent and child is one component. This is not consistent throughout all cases. Colic is most common in infants younger than 3 months of age.
What is probably the most important criterion on which to base the decision to report suspected child abuse? a. Inappropriate response of child b. Inappropriate parental concern for the degree of injury c. Absence of parents for questioning about childs injuries d. Incompatibility between the history and injury observed
ANS: D Conflicting stories about the accident are the most indicative red flags of abuse. The child or caregiver may have an inappropriate response, but this is subjective. Parents should be questioned at some point during the investigation.
What do the psychosocial developmental tasks of toddlerhood include? a. Development of a conscience b. Recognition of sex differences c. Ability to get along with age mates d. Ability to delay gratification
ANS: D If the need for basic trust has been satisfied, then toddlers can give up dependence for control, independence, and autonomy. One of the tasks that toddlers are concerned with is the ability to delay gratification. Development of a conscience and recognition of sex differences occur during the preschool years. The ability to get along with age mates develops during the preschool and school-age years.
Which nonpharmacologic intervention appears to be effective in decreasing neonatal procedural pain? a. Tactile stimulation b. Commercial warm packs c. Doing procedure during infant sleep d. Oral sucrose and nonnutritive sucking
ANS: D Nonnutritive sucking attenuates behavioral, physiologic, and hormonal responses to pain. The addition of sucrose has been demonstrated to have calming and pain-relieving effects for neonates. Tactile stimulation has a variable effect on response to procedural pain. No evidence supports commercial warm packs as a pain control measure. With resulting increased blood flow to the area, pain may be greater. The infant should not be disturbed during the sleep cycle. It makes it more difficult for the infant to begin organization of sleep and awake cycles.
Parents of a preschool child ask the nurse, Should we set rules for our child as part of a discipline plan? Which is an accurate response by the nurse? a. It is best to delay the punishment if a rule is broken. b. The child is too young for rules. At this age, unrestricted freedom is best. c. It is best to set the rules and reason with the child when the rules are broken. d. Set clear and reasonable rules and expect the same behavior regardless of the circumstances.
ANS: D Nurses can help parents establish realistic and concrete rules. The clearer the limits that are set and the more consistently they are enforced, the less need there is for disciplinary action. Delaying punishment weakens its intent. Children want and need limits. Unrestricted freedom is a threat to their security and safety. Reasoning involves explaining why an act is wrong and is usually appropriate for older children, especially when moral issues are involved. However, young children cannot be expected to see the other side because of their egocentrism.
A nurse is observing children playing in the playroom. What describes parallel play? a. A child playing a video game b. Two children playing a card game c. Two children watching a movie on a television d. A child playing with blocks next to a child playing with trucks
ANS: D Parallel play is when a toddler plays alongside, not with, other children. A child playing with blocks next to a child playing with trucks is descriptive of parallel play. The child playing a video game is descriptive of solitary play. Two children playing cards is descriptive of cooperative play. Two children watching a television is descriptive of associative play.
An infant, age 6 months, has six teeth. The nurse should recognize that this is what? a. Normal tooth eruption b. Delayed tooth eruption c. Unusual and dangerous d. Earlier than expected tooth eruption
ANS: D Six months is earlier than expected to have six teeth. At age 6 months, most infants have two teeth. Although unusual, having six teeth at 6 months is not dangerous.
During the physical examination of an adolescent with significant weight loss, what finding may indicate an eating disorder? a. Diarrhea b. Amenorrhea c. Appetite suppression d. Erosion of tooth enamel
ANS: D Some of the signs of bulimia include erosion of tooth enamel and increased dental caries. Check the back of the hands for abrasions caused by rubbing against the maxillary incisors during self-induced vomiting. Diarrhea is not a result of vomiting. Rather, it may occur in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and other gastrointestinal diseases. Amenorrhea can occur with anorexia nervosa, but it can also be a result of the weight loss from other causes. It can also indicate pregnancy in adolescent females. Appetite suppression can occur from central nervous system lesions or from oncologic and metabolic disorders.
What is most descriptive of the shape of the anterior fontanel in a newborn? a. Circle b. Square c. Triangle d. Diamond
ANS: D The anterior fontanel is diamond shaped and measures from barely palpable to 4 to 5 cm. The shape of the posterior fontanel is a triangle. Neither of the fontanels is a circle or a square.
Examination of the abdomen is performed correctly by the nurse in which order? a. Inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation b. Inspection, percussion, auscultation, and palpation c. Palpation, percussion, auscultation, and inspection d. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation
ANS: D The correct order of abdominal examination is inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation. Palpation is always performed last because it may distort the normal abdominal sounds. Auscultation is performed before percussion. The act of percussion can influence the findings on auscultation.
The nurse is interviewing the parents of a 4-month-old boy brought to the hospital emergency department. The infant is dead, and no attempt at resuscitation is made. The parents state that the baby was found in his crib with a blanket over his head, lying face down in bloody fluid from his nose and mouth. The nurse might initially suspect his death was caused by what? a. Suffocation b. Child abuse c. Infantile apnea d. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
ANS: D The description of how the child was found in the crib is suggestive of SIDS. The nurse is careful to tell the parents that a diagnosis cannot be confirmed until an autopsy is performed.
What is an important consideration in the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? a. Learning disabilities are apparent at an early age. b. The child will always be distracted by external stimuli. c. Parental observations of the childs behavior are most relevant. d. It must be determined whether the childs behavior is age appropriate or problematic.
ANS: D The diagnosis of ADHD is complex. A multidisciplinary evaluation should be done to determine whether the childs behavior is appropriate for the developmental age or whether it is problematic. Learning disabilities are usually not evident until the child enters school. Each child with ADHD responds differently to stimuli. Some children are distracted by internal stimuli and others by external stimuli. Parents can only provide one viewpoint of the childs behavior. Many observers should be asked to provide input with structured tools to facilitate the diagnosis.
In term newborns, the first meconium stool should occur no later than within how many hours after birth? a. 6 b. 8 c. 12 d. 24
ANS: D The first meconium stool should occur within the first 24 hours. It may be delayed up to 7 days in very lowbirth-weight newborns.
A parent asks the nurse about negativism in toddlers. What is the most appropriate recommendation? a. Punish the child. b. Provide more attention. c. Ask child not to always say no. d. Reduce the opportunities for a no answer.
ANS: D The nurse should suggest to the parent that questions should be phrased with realistic choices rather than yes or no answers. This provides a sense of control for the toddler and reduces the opportunity for negativism. Negativism is not an indication of stubbornness or insolence and should not be punished. The negativism is not a function of attention; the child is testing limits to gain an understanding of the world. The toddler is too young to comply with requests not to say no
The parents of a 12-month-old child ask the nurse if the child can eat hot dogs as do their other children. The nurses reply should be based on what? a. The child is too young to digest hot dogs. b. The child is too young to eat hot dogs safely. c. Hot dogs must be sliced into sections to prevent aspiration. d. Hot dogs must be cut into small, irregular pieces to prevent aspiration.
ANS: D To eat a hot dog safely, the child should be sitting down, and the hot dog should be cut into small, irregular pieces rather than served whole or in slices. The childs digestive system is mature enough to digest hot dogs. Hot dogs are of a consistency, diameter, and shape that may cause complete obstruction of the childs airway if not cut into irregular, small pieces.
A mother tells the nurse that she does not want her infant immunized because of the discomfort associated with injections. What should the nurse explain? a. This cannot be prevented. b. Infants do not feel pain as adults do. c. This is not a good reason for refusing immunizations. d. A topical anesthetic can be applied before injections are given
ANS: D To minimize the discomfort associated with intramuscular injections, a topical anesthetic agent can be used on the injection site. These include EMLA (eutectic mixture of local anesthetic) and vapor coolant sprays. Pain associated with many procedures can be prevented or minimized by using the principles of atraumatic care. Infants have neural pathways that will indicate pain. Numerous research studies have indicated that infants perceive and react to pain in the same manner as do children and adults. The mother should be allowed to discuss her concerns and the alternatives available. This is part of the informed consent process.