peds test 3 - questions from book
The nurse is planning care for a school-age child diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. Which intervention is most appropriate? 1. Keeping environmental stimuli at a minimum 2. Avoiding giving pain medications that could dull sensorium 3. Measuring head circumference to assess developing complications 4. Having the child move the head from side to side at least every two hours
Answer: 1 Explanation: 1. A quiet environment should be maintained because noise can disturb a child with meningitis. Pain medications are appropriate to give and should be used when needed. Measuring head circumference would only be appropriate for a child less than 2 years. Excessive head movement should be avoided because it can increase irritation of the meninges.
The nurse in the newborn nursery is performing the admission assessment on a neonate. Which assessment finding indicates the neonate may have congenital hip dysplasia? 1. Asymmetry of the gluteal and thigh fat folds 2. Trendelenburg sign 3. Telescoping of the affected limb 4. Lordosis
Answer: 1 Explanation: 1. A sign of congenital hip dysplasia in the infant would be asymmetry of the gluteal and thigh fat folds. Trendelenburg sign and telescoping of the affected limb are signs that present in an older child with congenital hip dysplasia. Lordosis does not occur with hip dysplasia.
A school-age client sustains a basilar skull fracture. Which symptom is a priority for this nurse to assess for when providing care to this client? 1. Cerebral spinal fluid leakage from the nose or ears 2. Headache 3. Transient confusion 4. Periorbital ecchymosis
Answer: 1 Explanation: 1. Cerebral spinal fluid leakage could be present from the nose or ears and, if it persists, may indicate that surgical repair will be needed. Headache, transient confusion, and periorbital ecchymosis are findings that commonly present with a basilar skull fracture but do not indicate that surgical repair will be needed.
The school nurse is providing care to a school-age client who experienced a sprain of the right ankle on the playground. Which intervention is appropriate for the nurse to implement for this client? 1. Apply ice to the extremity 2. Apply a warm, moist pack to the extremity 3. Perform passive range of motion to the extremity 4. Lower the extremity to below the level of the heart
Answer: 1 Explanation: 1. For the first 24 hours of a sprain, rest, ice, compression, and elevation should be used. Therefore, the nurse should apply ice to the extremity.
With a group of new parents, the nurse is reviewing treatment for viral illnesses such as influenza. Which statement by the parents indicates appropriate understanding of the teaching session? 1. "Some over-the-counter medications contain aspirin." 2. "Acetaminophen is good for treatment of fevers in young children." 3. "I can use ibuprofen as needed when my child has aches and pains." 4. "Aspirin is acceptable if my child does not have a virus."
Answer: 1 Explanation: 1. Reye syndrome is a serious consequence of aspirin use in children with viral illnesses. Over-the-counter medications should be checked to see whether they contain aspirin before being used. Aspirin is avoided in children. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are acceptable to use in children.
1) The nurse completes parent education related to treatment for a pediatric client with congenital clubfoot. Which statement by the parents indicates the need for further education? 1. "We're happy this is the only cast our baby will need." 2. "We'll watch for any swelling of the feet while the casts are on." 3. "We'll keep the casts dry." 4. "We're getting a special car seat to accommodate the casts."
Answer: 1 Explanation: 1. Serial casting is the treatment of choice for congenital clubfoot. The cast is changed every one to 2 weeks. Parents should be watching for swelling while the casts are on, keeping the casts dry, and using a car seat to accommodate the casts.
The nurse prepares a DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus toxoid, and acellular pertussis) immunization for a 6-month-old infant. To administer this injection safely, the nurse chooses which needle, size and length, injection type, and injection site? 1. 25-gauge, 5/8-inch needle; IM (intramuscular); anterolateral thigh. 2. 22-gauge, 1/2-inch needle; IM (intramuscular); ventrogluteal. 3. 25-gauge, 5/8-inch needle; ID (intradermal); deltoid. 4. 25-gauge, 3/4-inch needle; SQ (subcutaneous); anterolateral thigh.
Answer: 1 Explanation: 1. The dose of DTaP is 0.5 cc or 0.5 mL, to be given with a 22 to 25-gauge, 5/8- to 3/4-inch needle; IM (intramuscularly). The only safe intramuscular injection site for a 6-month-old infant is the anterolateral thigh.
A lumbar puncture is performed on an infant suspected of having meningitis. Which finding does the nurse expect in the cerebral spinal fluid if the infant has meningitis? 1. Elevated WBC count 2. Elevated RBC count 3. Normal glucose 4. Decreased WBC count
Answer: 1 Explanation: 1. The lumbar puncture is done to obtain cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). Elevated WBC count is seen with bacterial meningitis. The RBC count is not elevated, and the glucose is decreased in meningitis.
The nurse has completed discharge teaching for the family of a child diagnosed with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Which statement by the family indicates the need for further education? 1. "We're glad this will only take about 6 weeks to correct." 2. "We understand swimming is a good sport for Legg-Calve-Perthes." 3. "We know to watch for areas on the skin the brace may rub." 4. "We understand that abduction of the affected leg is important."
Answer: 1 Explanation: 1. The treatment generally takes approximately 2 years. Swimming is a good activity to increase mobility. A brace may be worn, so skin irritation should be monitored. The leg should be kept in the abducted position.
A child diagnosed with a mild traumatic brain injury is being sedated with a mild sedative so that pain and anxiety are minimized. Which nursing interventions are appropriate for this child? Select all that apply. 1. Place a continuous-pulse oximetry monitor on the child. 2. Place the child in a room near the nurse's station. 3. Allow for several visitors to remain at the child's bedside. 4. Use soft restraints if the child becomes confused. 5. Use sedation around the clock to decrease agitation.
Answer: 1, 2 Explanation: 1. When a child is sedated, respiratory status should be monitored with a pulse-oximetry machine. The child should be close to the nurse's station so that frequent monitoring can be done. Several visitors at the bedside would increase the child's anxiety. Soft restraints may increase agitation. Sedation around the clock is not recommended due to the need to evaluate the neurologic system.
A child sustains a traumatic brain injury and is monitored in the pediatric intensive-care unit (PICU). The nurse is using the Glasgow Coma Scale to assess the child. Which items will the nurse assess when using this tool? Select all that apply. 1. Eye opening 2. Verbal response 3. Motor response 4. Head circumference 5. Pulse oximetry
Answer: 1, 2, 3 Explanation: 1. The Glasgow Coma Scale for infants and children scores parameters related to eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. The maximum score is 15, indicating the highest level of neurological functioning. Head circumference and pulse oximetry are not included on the scale.
The nurse is performing an admission assessment on an infant diagnosed with hydrocephalus and a malfunctioning shunt. Which assessment findings should the nurse expect? Select all that apply. 1. Vomiting 2. Fever 3. Irritability 4. Poor appetite 5. Decreased level of consciousness
Answer: 1, 2, 3, 4 Explanation: 1. Signs of shunt malfunction in infants are nonspecific and include irritability, vomiting, poor appetite, disordered sleep, and fever. Older children with shunt malfunction may have a headache, nausea, vomiting, and decreased level of consciousness.
The nurse educator is describing the pediatric differences associated with the anatomy and physiology of the neurologic system to a group of nursing students. Which statements made by the class indicate appropriate understanding of this topic after the teaching session? Select all that apply. 1. The bones of the cranium are connected by connective tissue to allow for brain growth. 2. The spine of infants is excessively mobile due to immature neck muscles and incompletely developed vertebral bodies. 3. Maturation of the nerves continues until age 10. 4. Myelination is complete at birth, 5. Myelination proceeds in a cephalocaudal direction.
Answer: 1, 2, 5 Explanation:1. There are several pediatric differences associated with the anatomy and physiology of the neurological system and include: the bones of the cranium are connected by connective tissue to allow for brain growth; the spine of infants is excessively mobile due to immature neck muscles and incompletely developed vertebral bodies; and myelination proceeds in a cephalocaudal direction. Maturation of the nerves continues until the age of 4, not 10.
The family and school-age child are at the healthcare clinic for immunizations. The nurse takes the time to talk with the child and family about reducing the transmission of infection. What practices should the nurse suggest for the family? Select all that apply. 1. Do not share dishes, utensils, and cups. 2. Sanitize toys every week with Lysol. 3. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with the child after eating and toileting. 4. Cough or sneeze into cloth tissue 5. Dispose of diapers in a closed container.
Answer: 1, 5 Explanation: 1. Teach families to reduce transmission of infection among family members with the following practices: use disposable tissues and dispose immediately after using, wash hands thoroughly with soap/water after all contact with diapers/tissues/mucous, sneeze/cough into elbow, wash hands with soap/water after eating and toileting, do not share dishes/utensils/cups, wash hands thoroughly before preparing food and again several times during the preparation process, use soapy warm water to wash dishes/cutting boards, wipe counters/surfaces that are used for diaper changes or that the child touches with disinfectant, make sure diaper changing area is well away from food prep areas, dispose of diapers in closed containers. This is a practice that the nurse should suggest for the family.
A 5-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with increased intracranial pressure after a motor vehicle struck the child. The child weighs 15 kg. The neurosurgeon orders: Mannitol 0.5 g/kg/10 minutes IV first, followed by Mannitol 0.25 g/kg IV every 4 hours. Medication on hand: Mannitol 100 g/500mL D5W. Calculate how many mL/hr to set the IV pump to infuse the Mannitol ordered every 4 hours.
Answer: 18.75 or 18.8 mL/hr
A child is diagnosed with epilepsy and is prescribed daily phenytoin (Dilantin). Which topic is most appropriate for the nurse to include in the discharge teaching? 1. Increasing fluid intake 2. Performing good dental hygiene 3. Decreasing intake of vitamin D 4. Taking the medication with milk
Answer: 2 Explanation: 1. Because phenytoin (Dilantin) can cause gingival hyperplasia, good dental hygiene should be encouraged. Fluid intake does not affect the drug's effectiveness, an adequate intake of vitamin D should be encouraged, and phenytoin (Dilantin) should not be taken with dairy products.
Which statement made by a parent during a well-child visit would cause the nurse to suspect the child has cerebral palsy? 1. "My 6-month-old baby is rolling from back to prone now." 2. "My 3-month-old seems to have floppy muscle tone." 3. "My 8-month-old can sit without support." 4. "My 10-month-old is not walking."
Answer: 2 Explanation: 1. Children with cerebral palsy are delayed in meeting developmental milestones. The infant with hypotonia is showing a clinical manifestation of cerebral palsy. A baby rolls over from back to prone at 6 months, sits without support at 8 months, and walks at 12 months.
A toddler-age client has a tonic-clonic seizure while in a crib in the hospital. The client's jaw is clamped. Which nursing action is the priority? 1. Place a padded tongue blade between the child's jaws. 2. Stay with the child and observe the respiratory status. 3. Prepare the suction equipment. 4. Restrain the child to prevent injury.
Answer: 2 Explanation: 1. During a seizure, the nurse remains with the child, watching for complications. The child's respiratory rate should be monitored. Be sure nothing is placed in the child's mouth during a seizure. Suction equipment should already be set up at the bedside before a seizure begins. The child should not be restrained during a seizure.
A parent brings her school-age child to the clinic because the child has a temperature of 100.2°F. The child remains active without other symptoms. Which statement by the nurse to the parents is most appropriate? 1. "Take the child's temperature every 2 hours and call the clinic if it reaches 102°F or above." 2. "Unless the fever bothers the child, it is best to let the natural body defenses respond to the infection." 3. "Keep the child warm, because shivering often occurs with fever." 4. "Alternate acetaminophen and ibuprofen to help keep the fever down and keep the child comfortable."
Answer: 2 Explanation: 1. Fever is the body's response to an infection, and is not a disease. Allowing the body's natural defenses (fever) to fight the infection is best. The fever is treated if the child is uncomfortable from effects of the fever, such as body aches, headache, and so on. Taking the child's temperature more than every 4 to 6 hours is unnecessary. The child should be dressed for comfort. Light clothing is recommended. Alternating acetaminophen and ibuprofen is not recommended.
A school-age client experiences a near-drowning episode and is admitted to the pediatric intensive-care unit (PICU). The parents express guilt over the near drowning of their child. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate? 1. "You will need to watch the child more closely." 2. "Tell me more about your feelings related to the accident." 3. "The child will be fine, so don't worry." 4. "Why did you let the child almost drown?"
Answer: 2 Explanation: 1. In near-drowning cases, the nurse should be nonjudgmental and provide a forum for parents to express guilt. Telling the parents to watch the child more closely or asking them why they let the child almost drown is judgmental. Saying the child will be fine may not be true. The nurse should reassure the parents that the child is receiving all possible medical treatment.
A mother brings her 4-month-old infant in for a routine checkup and vaccinations. The mother reports that the infant was exposed to a brother who has the flu. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate based on these assessment findings? 1. Withhold the vaccinations. 2. Give the vaccinations as scheduled. 3. Withhold the DTaP vaccination but give the others as scheduled. 4. Give the infant the flu vaccination but withhold the others.
Answer: 2 Explanation: 1. Recent exposure to an infectious disease is not a reason to defer a vaccine. There is no reason to withhold any of the vaccinations due at this time. The flu vaccination would not routinely be given to a 4-month-old.
An infant returns from surgery for correction of bilateral congenital clubfeet. The infant has bilateral long-leg casts. The toes on both feet are edematous, but there is color, sensitivity, and movement to them. Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate? 1. Call the healthcare provider to report the edema. 2. Elevate the legs on pillows. 3. Apply a warm, moist pack to the feet. 4. Encourage movement of toes.
Answer: 2 Explanation: 1. The legs should be elevated on a pillow for 24 hours to promote healing and help with venous return. Some amount of swelling can be expected, so it would not be appropriate to notify the healthcare provider, especially if the color, sensitivity, and movement remain normal to the toes. Ice should be applied, not heat. An infant would not be able to follow directions to move toes, and in this case it would not be as effective as elevating the legs on pillows.
The nurse is caring for a pediatric client in Bryant skin traction. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate for this client? 1. Remove the adhesive traction straps daily to prevent skin breakdown. 2. Check the traction frequently to ensure that proper alignment is maintained. 3. Place the child in a prone position to maintain good alignment. 4. Move the child as infrequently as possible to maintain traction.
Answer: 2 Explanation: 1. The traction apparatus should be checked frequently to ensure that proper alignment is maintained. The adhesive straps should not be removed. The child should be placed in a supine position, and frequent repositioning is necessary to prevent complications of immobility.
A nurse working in a pediatric clinic is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the vaccinations on site. Which actions are appropriate for this nurse to implement? Select all that apply. 1. Fluctuate refrigerator and freezer temperatures each day. 2. Store vaccines in the center of the unit. 3. Check and record the temperature of the unit twice each day. 4. Have a plan for power outages. 5. Place bottles of water in each unit to help keep temperatures consistent.
Answer: 2, 3, 4, 5 Explanation: 1. Appropriate interventions for the nurse to implement in order to maintain the potency of vaccines include storing the vaccines in the center of the unit, checking and recording the temperature of the storage unit twice a day, having a plan for power outages, and placing bottles of water in each unit to help keep temperatures consistent. The temperature of the refrigerator and freezer should be consistent and not fluctuate.
The nurse is teaching a prenatal class about infant care. Under which circumstances should the nurse emphasize that parents should call their healthcare provider immediately? Select all that apply. 1. Child 4 months old, received a DTaP immunization yesterday, and has a temperature of 38.0°C (100.4°F) 2. Child under 3 months old and has a temperature over 40.1°C (104.2°F) 3. Child difficult to awaken and has a pulsing fontanel 4. Child has purple spots on the skin and is lethargic. 5. Child has a stiff neck and has been irritable for three days.
Answer: 2, 3, 4, 5 Explanation: 1. Infants under 3 months of age have limited ability to develop antibodies to fight infection, and a fever as high as 40.1°C indicates a serious infection. Difficulty to awaken and a pulsing fontanel, purple spots on the skin and lethargy, a stiff neck and irritability for 3 days in infants and children of any age may indicate meningitis. A mild fever of 38.0°C (100.4°F) in the 4-month-old who received a DTaP immunization yesterday is incorrect because the mild fever is expected as the body develops antibodies in response to antigens in the immunization.
A nurse is assessing a child after an open reduction of a fractured femur. Which assessment findings would indicate that the child is experiencing compartment syndrome? Select all that apply. 1. Pink, warm extremity 2. Pain not relieved by pain medication 3. Dorsalis pedis pulse present 4. Prolonged capillary-refill time with paresthesia 5. Skin appears tense.
Answer: 2, 4, 5 Explanation: 1. The major serious complication post-fracture reduction is compartment syndrome. A prolonged capillary-refill time with loss of paresthesia, pain not relieved by medication, and skin that appears tense are signs of compartment syndrome. Pink, warm extremity; pain relieved by medication; and a present dorsalis pedis pulse would all be normal findings post-fracture reduction.
A child with myelomeningocele, corrected at birth, is now 5 years old. Which is the priority nursing diagnosis for a child with corrected spina bifida at this age? 1. Risk for Altered Nutrition 2. Risk for Impaired Tissue Perfusion-Cranial 3. Risk for Altered Urinary Elimination 4. Risk for Altered Comfort
Answer: 3 Explanation: 1. A child with spina bifida will continue to have a risk for altered urinary elimination because the bowel and bladder sphincter controls are affected. Urinary retention is a problem, so bladder interventions are initiated early to prevent kidney damage. Risk for Altered Nutrition, Impaired Tissue Perfusion, and Altered Comfort are not problems once surgery has been performed to close the defect.
A toddler client with a fever is prescribed amoxicillin clavulanate 250 mg/5 cc three times daily by mouth × 10 days for otitis media. Which teaching point will guard against antibiotic resistance to the disease process? 1. Administer a loading dose for the first dose. 2. Measure the prescribed dose in a household teaspoon. 3. Give the antibiotic for the full 10 days. 4. Stop the antibiotic if the child is afebrile.
Answer: 3 Explanation: 1. Antibiotics must be administered for the full number of days ordered to prevent mutation of resistant strains of bacteria. A loading dose was not ordered. A household teaspoon may contain less than 5 cc, and the full dose must be given. Stopping the antibiotic before the prescribed time will permit remaining bacteria to reproduce, and the otitis media will return, possibly with antibiotic-resistant organisms. The absence of a fever is not an indication that all bacteria are killed or not reproducing.
A nurse is providing information to a group of new mothers. Which statement best explains why newborns and young infants are more susceptible to infection? 1. "They have high levels of maternal antibodies to diseases to which the mother has been exposed." 2. "They have passive transplacental immunity from maternal immunoglobulin G." 3. "They have immune systems that are not fully mature at birth." 4. "They have been exposed to microorganisms during the birth process."
Answer: 3 Explanation: 1. Newborns have a limited storage pool of neutrophils and plasma proteins to defend against infection. Newborns' and young infants' high levels of maternal antibodies, passive transplacental immunity, and exposure to microorganisms during the birth process are all true but are incorrect answers because they do not explain the susceptibility of newborns and young infants to infection.
The hospital has just provided its nurses with information about biologic threats and terrorism. After completing the course, a group of nurses is discussing its responsibility in relation to bioterrorism. Which statement by the nurse indicates a correct understanding of the concepts presented? 1. "It is important to separate clients according to age and illness to prevent the spread of disease." 2. "It is important to dispose blood-contaminated needles in the lead-lined container." 3. "I will notify the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) if a large number of persons with the same life-threatening infection present to the emergency room." 4. "I will initiate isolation precautions for a hospitalized client with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)."
Answer: 3 Explanation: 1. The CDC must be contacted to investigate the source of serious infections and to determine if a bioterrorist threat exists. Separating clients according to age and illness to prevent the spread of disease will do nothing to stop terrorism. Proper disposal of blood-contaminated needles in the sharps container and initiating isolation precautions for a hospitalized client with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are appropriate nursing actions but do not relate to bioterrorism.
The nurse is teaching family members how to care for their infant in a Pavlik harness to treat congenital developmental dysplasia of the hip. Which statement will the nurse include in the teaching session? 1. "Apply lotion or powder to minimize skin irritation." 2. "Put clothing over the harness for maximum effectiveness of the device." 3. "Check at least 2 or 3 times a day for red areas under the straps." 4. "Place a diaper over the harness, preferably using a thin, superabsorbent, disposable diaper."
Answer: 3 Explanation: 1. The brace should be checked 2 or 3 times for red areas under the straps. Lotion or powder can contribute to skin breakdown. A light layer of clothing should be under the brace, not over. The diaper should also be under the brace.
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate when caring for an infant with a myelomeningocele in the preoperative stage? 1. Placing infant supine to decrease pressure on the sac 2. Appling a heat lamp to facilitate drying and toughening of the sac 3. Measuring head circumference every shift to identify developing hydrocephalus 4. Appling a diaper to prevent contamination of the sac
Answer: 3 Explanation: 1. The infant should be monitored for developing hydrocephalus, so the head circumference should be monitored daily. The infant will be placed prone, not supine, and the defect will be protected from trauma or infection. Therefore, applying heat and a diaper around the defect would not be recommended. A sterile saline dressing may be used to cover the sac to maintain integrity.
The nurse is discussing ways to treat fever in the home environment to a group of parents in the community. Which statement is appropriate for the nurse to include in the presentation? 1. "Ibuprofen is the only effective means to reduce fever." 2. "If the child requires more than one dose of acetaminophen antibiotics are needed." 3. "Purchase a new bottle of acetaminophen for your newborn because it will have recommended medication concentration." 4. "It is not necessary to follow the recommendations on the bottle of ibuprofen as this will not prevent an overdose for your child."
Answer: 3 Explanation: 1. The recommendation to purchase a new bottle of acetaminophen due to recommended medication concentrations is an appropriate statement for the nurse to include in the teaching session. The other statements are inaccurate or inappropriate for the nurse to include in the teaching session.
The student nurse is learning a lesson about communicable diseases and how they are spread. On a quiz the next day the nurse uses the information learned in this lesson and demonstrates learning. For a communicable disease to occur what factors must be in place? Select all that apply. 1. Antibodies 2. Toxoid 3. Pathogen 4. Transmission 5. Host
Answer: 3, 4, 5 Explanation: 1. For a communicable disease to occur, three factors need to be in place: an infectious agent or pathogen, means of transmission, and a host. This is not a factor needed for communicable disease to occur.
The school nurse is trying to prevent the spread of a flu virus through the school. Which infection-control strategies can be employed to prevent the spread of the flu virus? Select all that apply. 1. Teaching parents safe food preparation and storage 2. Withholding immunizations for children with compromised immune systems 3. Sanitizing toys, telephones, and door knobs to kill pathogens 4. Separating children with infections from children who are well 5. Teaching children to wash their hands after using the bathroom
Answer: 3, 4, 5 Explanation: 1. To prevent the spread of communicable diseases, microorganisms must be killed or their growth controlled. Sanitizing toys and all contact surfaces, separating children with infections, and teaching children to wash their hands all control the growth and spread of microorganisms. Teaching parents safe food preparation and storage is another tool to prevent the spread of microorganisms but is not related to the flu virus. Immunizations should not be withheld from immunocompromised children; this is not an infection-control strategy.
A nurse is conducting a postoperative assessment on an infant who has just had a ventriculoperitoneal shunt placed for hydrocephalus. Which assessment finding would indicate a malfunction in the shunt? 1. Incisional pain 2. Movement of all extremities 3. Negative Brudzinski sign 4. Bulging fontanel
Answer: 4 Explanation: 1. A bulging fontanel would be an abnormal finding and could indicate that the shunt is malfunctioning. Incisional pain, movement of all extremities, and negative Brudzinski sign are all normal findings after a ventriculoperitoneal shunt has been placed.
A mother refuses to have her child be immunized with measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine because she believes that letting her infant get these diseases will help him fight off other diseases later in life. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate? 1. Honor her request because she is the parent. 2. Explain that antibodies can fight many diseases. 3. Tell her that not immunizing her infant may protect pregnant women. 4. Explain that if her child contracts measles, mumps, or rubella, there could be very serious and permanent complications from these diseases.
Answer: 4 Explanation: 1. Explaining that if her child contracts measles, mumps, or rubella, he could have very serious and permanent complications from these diseases is correct because measles, mumps, and rubella all have potentially serious sequelae, such as encephalitis, brain damage, and deafness. Honoring her request is not correct because the nurse has a professional duty to explain that the mother's belief about immunizations is erroneous and may result in harm to her infant. Explaining that antibodies can fight many diseases is not correct because the body makes antibodies that are specific to antigens of each disease. Antibodies for one disease cannot fight another disease. Telling her that not immunizing her infant may protect pregnant women is not correct because immunizing the infant with MMR vaccine will help protect pregnant women from contracting rubella by decreasing the transmission. If a pregnant woman contracts rubella, her fetus can be severely damaged with congenital rubella syndrome.
A parent reports that her school-age child, who has had all recommended immunizations, had a mild fever one week ago and now has bright red cheeks and a lacy red maculopapular rash on the trunk and arms. Which disease process does the nurse suspect based on the parent's description? 1. Chicken pox (varicella) 2. German measles (rubella) 3. Roseola (exanthem subitum) 4. Fifth disease (erythema infectiosum)
Answer: 4 Explanation: 1. Fifth disease manifests first with a flulike illness, followed by a red "slapped-cheek" sign. Then a lacy maculopapular erythematous rash spreads symmetrically from the trunk to the extremities, sparing the soles and palms. Varicella (chicken pox) and rubella (German measles) are unlikely if the child has had all recommended immunizations. The rash of varicella progresses from papules to vesicles to pustules. The rash of rubella is a pink maculopapular rash that begins on the face and progresses downward to the trunk and extremities. Roseola typically occurs in infants and begins abruptly with a high fever followed by a pale pink rash starting on the trunk and spreading to the face, neck, and extremities.
The nurse prepares the second diphtheria, tetanus toxoid, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) and second inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) immunization injections for an infant who is 4 months old. The nurse may also give which of immunizations during the same well-child-care appointment? 1. Var (varicella) 2. TIV (influenza) 3. MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) 4. Haemophilus influenza type B (HIB)
Answer: 4 Explanation: 1. Haemophilus influenza type B (HIB) vaccine is given at 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months of age (four doses). None of the other vaccines can be given to a 4-month-old infant. Influenza (TIV) vaccine may be given yearly to infants between 6 months and 3 years of age. Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is given at 12 to 15 months and 4 to 6 years of age (two doses). Varicella (Var) is given at 12 to 18 months or any time up to 12 years for one dose; for 13 years and older two doses are given, 4 to 8 weeks apart.
A nurse is caring for a child who is diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Which goal of therapy is most appropriate for the nurse to include in the plan of care? 1. Reversing the degenerative processes that have occurred 2. Curing the underlying defect causing the disorder 3. Preventing the spread to individuals in close contact with the child 4. Promoting optimum development
Answer: 4 Explanation: 1. Recognition of the disorder is important so that optimal development can be maintained. Cerebral palsy cannot be reversed or cured. It is not caused by a contagious process, so there is no risk of spread.
A school-age client is transported to the emergency department by ambulance from the scene of a car accident. The client is alert and oriented × 3; pulse, respirations, and blood pressure are stable; and the neck and back are immobilized on a backboard. The nurse sees no obvious bleeding. The client states, "I can't feel or move my legs." Which injury does the nurse suspect? 1. Traumatic brain injury 2. Ruptured spleen 3. Traumatic shock 4. Spinal cord injury
Answer: 4 Explanation: 1. Spinal cord injury results in paralysis and anesthesia of the affected body parts below the level of the lesion. Altered levels of consciousness may indicate traumatic brain injury. The child may have a ruptured spleen, but it is not evident from the data given. Traumatic shock results in initially increasing then decreasing pulse and respirations, and falling blood pressure.
Reducing the number of preventable childhood illnesses is a major national goal in Healthy People 2020. What will the school nurse teach families regarding immunizations in order to reach this goal? 1. A minor illness with a low-grade fever is a contraindication to receiving an immunization according to Healthy People 2020. 2. Vaccines should be given one at a time for optimum active immunity in the prevention of illness and disease. 3. Premature infants and low-birth-weight infants should receive half doses of vaccines for protection from communicable diseases. 4. It is important to maintain vaccination coverage for recommended vaccines in early childhood and to maintain them through kindergarten.
Answer: 4 Explanation: 1. The benefits of vaccines far outweigh the risks from communicable diseases and resulting complications. A minor illness is not a contraindication to immunization. Giving vaccines one at a time will result in many missed opportunities. Half doses of vaccines should not be given routinely to premature and low-birth-weight infants.
The hospital admitting nurse is taking a history of a child's illness from the parents. The nurse concludes that the parents treated their 6-year-old child appropriately for a fever related to otitis media. Which action by the parents brought the nurse to this conclusion? 1. Used aspirin every four hours to reduce the fever 2. Alternated acetaminophen with ibuprofen every two hours 3. Put the child in a tub of cold water to reduce the fever 4. Offered generous amounts of fluids frequently
Answer: 4 Explanation: 1. The body's need for fluids increases during a febrile illness. Aspirin has been associated with Reye syndrome and should not be given to children with a febrile illness. Alternating acetaminophen with ibuprofen every two hours may result in an overdose. Pediatric medication doses are more accurately calculated using the child's weight, not age. Putting the child in a tub of cold water will chill the child and cause shivering, a response that will increase body temperature.