Exam 4

The nurse is caring for a child with suspected increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Which assessment finding would indicate increased ICP?

hypertension Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure include slowing of both pulse and respirations, increasing blood pressure, and the development of hypothermia. All of these symptoms result from the increased ICP putting pressure on the cranial vessels and the hypothalamus. Double vision, or diplopia, also occurs as a result of increasing ICP.

The nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a child recently prescribed carbamazepine for a seizure disorder. Which statement by a parent indicates successful teaching?

"I need to watch for any new bruises or bleeding and let my health care provider know about it." Carbamazepine is an antiseizure medication. It can cause bone marrow depression, so parents need to watch for any signs of bruising, bleed, or infection and notify their health care provider if this happens. Administer this medication with food to minimize GI upset. This medication can cause drowsiness, so do not give any sleep-inducing or other sedative type medications. Antiseizure medication does not cure seizures; it only controls the seizures. Lifelong antiseizure medication may be needed.

When teaching a group of caregivers of infants, the nurse is discussing the topic of diaper rash. The caregivers in the group make the following statements. Which statement is the most accurate related to the child with diaper rash.

"My child gets diaper rash if I wash her clothes in the same detergent we use for the family."

The nurse is assessing a child who pulled a boiling pot of soup off of the stove top. The child reports pain at a 9 on a scale of 0 to 10. The burn is red and edematous, and also shows areas of charred skin. The nurse is aware that these signs and symptoms are indicative of what kind of burn? Correct response: full-thickness or third-degree

Full-thickness or third-degree burns may be very painful or numb or pain-free in some areas. They appear red, edematous, leathery, dry, or waxy and may display peeling or charred skin.

The nurse is caring for a child who has suffered a head injury and has had an ICP monitor placed. Which prescription by the health care provider would the nurse question?

Initiate an IV of 0.9% NS to run at 250 ml/hr.

The nurse is observing an infant who may have acute bacterial meningitis. Which finding might the nurse look for?

Irritability, fever, and vomiting

The nurse is caring for an 8-year-old girl who was in a car accident. What would lead the nurse to suspect a concussion?

The child is easily distracted and can't concentrate. A child with a concussion will be distracted and unable to concentrate. Signs and symptoms of contusions include disturbances to vision, strength, and sensation. Vomiting and bruising behind the ear are signs of a subdural hematoma. Bleeding from the ear and otorrhea are signs of a basilar skull fracture.

The nurse is caring for a 15-year-old boy with psoriasis. In addition to the plaques, what would the nurse expect to note?

fissures and scaling on palms and soles ,

A topical corticosteroid is prescribed for a child with contact dermatitis. Which statement by the mother would indicate the teaching was successful?

"I should not cover the area with plastic wrap after applying the cream."

The nurse is assessing a toddler for motor function. Which activity will be the most valuable?

Watch the child reach for a toy. Watching the child reach for a toy would be most valuable for assessing motor function because the infant should be able to extend extremities to a normal stretch. Catching a ball or kicking a ball forward is too advanced for a toddler to accomplish. Looking at a picture book would help assess visual acuity and eye movement.

A 6-year-old has had a viral infection for the past 5 days and is having severe vomiting, confusion, and irritability, although he is now afebrile. During the assessment, the nurse should ask the parent which question?

"Did you use any medications, like aspirin, for the fever?" Severe and continual vomiting, changes in mental status, lethargy, and irritability are some of the signs and symptoms of Reye syndrome, which can occur as a result of ingesting aspirin or aspirin-containing products during a viral infection. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is allowed for viral infections in the school-age child. The type of fluids consumed during the illness has nothing to do with Reye syndrome. The temperature rise would be important for a much younger child because of the chance of febrile seizures, but not in this age child.

The nurse is caring for an infant who is at risk for increased intracranial pressure. What statement by the parent would alert the nurse to further assess the child's neurological status? Correct response: "She has been irritable for the last hour....seems like she is just upset for some reason."

Irritability in an infant can be a sign of declining neurological function. Because infants are not able to answer questions pertaining to person, place and time, their neurological assessment must be catered to their level of development. The other responses would be typical and normal for an infant.

An otherwise healthy 18-month-old child with a history of febrile seizures is in the well-child clinic. Which statement by the father would indicate to the nurse that additional teaching should be done?

"I always keep phenobarbital with me in case of a fever." Anticonvulsants, such as phenobarbital, are administered to children with prolonged seizures or neurologic abnormalities. Ibuprofen, not phenobarbital, is given for fever. Febrile seizures usually occur after age 6 months and are unusual after age 5. Treatment is to decrease the temperature because seizures occur as the temperature rises.

A 10-year-old has been bitten on the lower posterior arm by a dog, requiring several stitches. The child was just admitted to the hospital for 3 days of antibiotic therapy. When developing the care plan, the nurse identifies which nursing diagnoses as being the top 2 priorities? Impaired skin integrity Risk for infection

The wound was not a clean wound, such as a surgical wound, so risk for infection would be a top priority. The child has impaired skin integrity from the wound and from the IV. Since the wound is new and on the arm the nursing diagnosis disturbed body image would not be a top 2 priority at this time. It is unlikely that a great deal of fluid has been lost from this wound. Knowledge deficit of wound care would not be a top 2 priority at this time, but would be an important nursing diagnosis to address later.