Pediatric GI
The nurse is interviewing the parents of a 6-year-old who has been experiencing constipation. Which of the following could be a causative factor? Select all that apply. 1. Hypothyroidism. 2. Muscular dystrophy. 3. Myelomeningocele. 4. Drinks a lot of milk. 5. Active in sports
1, 2, 3, 4. 1. Hypothyroidism can be a causative factor in constipation. 2. Weakened abdominal muscles can be seen in muscular dystrophy and can lead to constipation. 3. Myelomeningocele affects the innervation of the rectum and can lead to constipation. 4. Excessive milk consumption can lead to constipation TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker has to know which of these conditions can cause constipation.
Which of the following children may need extra fluids to prevent dehydration? Select all that apply. 1. A 7-day-old receiving phototherapy. 2. A 6-month-old with newly diagnosed pyloric stenosis. 3. A 2-year-old with pneumonia. 4. A 13-year-old who has just started her menses. 5. A 2-year-old with full-thickness burns to the chest, back, and abdomen.
1, 2, 3, 5. 1. The lights in phototherapy increase insensible fluid loss, requiring the nurse to monitor fluid status closely. 2. The infant with pyloric stenosis is likely to be dehydrated due to persistent vomiting. 3. A 2-year-old with pneumonia may have increased insensible fluid loss due to tachypnea associated with respiratory illness. The nurse needs to monitor fluid status cautiously because fluid overload can result in increased respiratory distress. 5. The child with a burn experiences extensive extracellular fluid loss and is at great risk for dehydration. The younger child is at greater risk due to greater proportionate body surface area. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker needs to know that an infant needing phototherapy, an infant with persistent vomiting, a child with pneumonia, and a child with burns require more fluids because of the risk of dehydration.
The nurse is caring for a 6-year-old with hepatitis. The child is hungry and wants to eat dinner. Which of the following foods should be offered? 1. A tuna sandwich on whole wheat bread and a cup of skim milk. 2. Clear liquids, such as broth, and Jell-O. 3. A hamburger, French fries, and a diet soda. 4. A peanut butter sandwich and a milkshake.
1. A diet that is high in protein and carbohydrates helps maintain caloric intake and protein stores while preventing muscle wasting. A low-fat diet prevents abdominal distention. TEST-TAKING HINT: The child with hepatitis is usually placed on a diet that is high in both protein and carbohydrates but low in fat.
A 4-month-old female is brought to the emergency department with severe dehydration. Her heart rate is 198, and her blood pressure is 68/38. The infant's anterior fontanel is sunken. The nurse notes that the infant does not cry when the intravenous line is inserted. The child's parents state that she has not "held anything down" in 18 hours. The nurse obtains a finger-stick blood sugar of 94. Which of the following would the nurse expect to do immediately? 1. Administer a bolus of normal saline. 2. Administer a bolus of D10W. 3. Administer a bolus of normal saline with 5% dextrose added to the solution. 4. Offer the child an oral rehydrating solution such as Pedialyte.
1. Dehydration is corrected with the administration of an isotonic solution, such as normal saline or lactated Ringer solution. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should immediately eliminate answers 2 and 3 as they both suggest administering glucose in bolus form, which is always contraindicated in the pediatric population. Answer 4 should be eliminated as the infant is severely dehydrated and not responding to painful stimulation, which is suggested by the lack of a cry on intravenous insertion.
The nurse is caring for an infant newly diagnosed with Hirschsprung disease. Which of the following does the nurse understand about this infant's condition? 1. There is a lack of peristalsis in the large intestine and an accumulation of bowel contents, leading to abdominal distention. 2. There is excessive peristalsis throughout the intestine, resulting in abdominal distention. 3. There is a small-bowel obstruction leading to ribbon-like stools. 4. There is inflammation throughout the large intestine, leading to accumulation of intestinal contents and abdominal distention.
1. In Hirschsprung disease, a portion of the large intestine has an area lacking in ganglion cells. This results in a lack of peristalsis as well as an accumulation of bowel contents and abdominal distention. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should be familiar with the pathophysiology of Hirschsprung disease in order to select answer 1.
The nurse is caring for a newborn with esophageal atresia. When reviewing the mother's history, the nurse would expect to find which of the following? 1. A history of maternal polyhydramnios. 2. A pregnancy that lasted more than 38 weeks. 3. A history of poor nutrition during pregnancy. 4. A history of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
1. Maternal polyhydramnios is present because the infant cannot swallow and absorb the amniotic fluid in utero. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should select answer 1 because esophageal atresia prevents the infant from ingesting much, leading to increased amniotic fluid in utero
The nurse is caring for an infant with biliary atresia who is scheduled for a Kasai procedure. Which of the following is an accurate description of this surgery? 1. A palliative procedure in which a bile duct is attached to a loop of bowel to assist with bile drainage. 2. A curative procedure in which a connection is made between a bile duct and a loop of bowel to assist with bile drainage. 3. A curative procedure in which a bile duct is banded to prevent bile leakage. 4. A palliative procedure in which a bile duct is banded to prevent bile leakage.
1. The Kasai procedure is a palliative procedure in which a bile duct is attached to a loop of bowel to assist with bile drainage. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should eliminate answers 2 and 3 as the majority of cases of biliary atresia require a liver transplant. The Kasai procedure is performed to give the child a few years to grow before requiring a transplant.
The nurse is caring for a 6-year-old in the early stages of acute hepatitis. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect to find? 1. Nausea, vomiting, and generalized malaise. 2. Nausea, vomiting, generalized malaise, and pain in the left upper quadrant. 3. Nausea, vomiting, generalized malaise, and yellowing of the skin and sclera. 4. Yellowing of the skin and sclera without any other generalized complaints.
1. The early stages of acute hepatitis are referred to as the anicteric phase, during which the child usually complains of nausea, vomiting, and generalized malaise. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker needs to be familiar with the manifestations of acute hepatitis. Knowing that the early stage is referred to as the anicteric phase, answers 3 and 4 can be eliminated.
The parents of a child being evaluated for celiac disease ask the nurse why it is important to make dietary changes. Select the nurse's best response. 1. "The body's response to gluten causes damage to the mucosal cells in the intestine, leading to absorption problems." 2. "When the child with celiac disease consumes anything containing gluten, the body responds by creating specials cells called villi, which leads to more diarrhea." 3. "The body's response to gluten causes the intestine to become more porous and hang on to more of the fat-soluble vitamins, leading to vitamin toxicity." 4. "The body's response to gluten causes damage to the mucosal cells, leading to malabsorbtion of water and hard, constipated stools."
1. The inability to digest protein leads to an accumulation of an amino acid that is toxic to the mucosal cells and villi, leading to absorption problems TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker needs to recall the pathophysiology of celiac disease in order to select answer 1. By recalling that the child with celiac usually appears malnourished and experiences diarrhea, the test taker can eliminate answers 3 and 4.
The nurse receives a call from the mother of a 6-month-old who describes her child as sleepy and fussy. She states that her infant vomited once this morning and had two episodes of diarrhea. The last episode contained mucus and a small amount of blood. She asks the nurse what she should do. Select the nurse's best response. 1. "Your infant will need to have some tests in the emergency room to determine if anything serious is going on." 2. "Try feeding your infant in about 30 minutes; in the event of repeat vomiting, bring the infant to the emergency room for some tests and intravenous rehydration." 3. "Many infants display these symptoms when they develop an allergy to the formula they are receiving; try switching to a soy-based formula." 4. "Do not worry about the blood and mucus in the stool; it is not unusual for infants to have blood in their stools because their intestines are more sensitive."
1. The infant is displaying signs of intussusception. This is an emergency that needs to be evaluated to prevent ischemia and perforation. TEST-TAKING HINT: The child is described as lethargic and is having diarrhea and vomiting. This child needs to be seen to rule out an intussusception. At the very least, the mother should be told to bring the child to the emergency room because the described signs could also be seen in severe dehydration. The test taker should be led to select answer 1.
The nurse is caring for a 4-week-old infant with biliary atresia. Which of the following manifestations would the nurse expect to see? 1. Abdominal distention, enlarged liver, enlarged spleen, clay-colored stool, and tea-colored urine. 2. Abdominal distention, multiple bruises, bloody stools, and hematuria. 3. Yellow sclera and skin tones, excessively oily skin, and prolonged bleeding times. 4. No manifestations until the disease has progressed to the advanced stage
1. The infant with biliary atresia usually has an enlarged liver and spleen. The stools appear clay-colored due to the absence of bile pigments. The urine is teacolored due to the excretion of bile salts. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker needs to be familiar with the manifestations of biliary atresia and should be led to select answer 1.
The nurse is caring for an infant diagnosed with Hirschsprung disease. The mother states she is pregnant with a male and wants to know if her new baby will likely have the disorder. Select the nurse's best response. 1. "Genetics play a small role in Hirschsprung disease, so there is a chance the baby will develop it as well." 2. "There is no evidence to support a genetic link, so it is very unlikely the baby will also have it." 3. "It is rarely seen in boys, so it is not likely your new baby will have Hirschsprung disease." 4. "Hirschsprung disease is seen only in girls, so your new baby will not be at risk."
1. There is a genetic component to Hirschsprung disease, so any future siblings are also at risk. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker can eliminate answers 3 and 4 as they are similar and therefore would not likely be the correct answer.
The nurse is caring for a 6-week-old infant with cerebral palsy and GER. After two hospital admissions for aspiration, the child is scheduled for a Nissen fundoplication. The nurse knows that this procedure involves which of the following? 1. The fundus of the stomach is wrapped around the inferior stomach, mimicking a lower esophageal sphincter. 2. The fundus of the stomach is wrapped around the inferior esophagus, mimicking a cardiac sphincter. 3. The fundus of the stomach is wrapped around the middle portion of the stomach, decreasing the capacity of the stomach. 4. The fundus of the stomach is dilated, decreasing the likelihood of reflux.
2. The Nissen fundoplication involves wrapping the fundus of the stomach around the inferior esophagus, creating a lower esophageal sphincter or cardiac sphincter. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker needs to be familiar with surgical options for GER disease.
The nurse is providing discharge instructions to the parents of a 10-year-old who had an appendectomy for a ruptured appendix 5 days ago. The nurse knows that further education is required when the child's parent states: 1. "We will wait a few days before allowing our child to return to school." 2. "We will wait 2 weeks before allowing our child to return to sports." 3. "We will call the pediatrician's office if we notice any drainage around the wound." 4. "We will encourage our child to go for walks every day."
2. The child should wait 6 weeks before returning to any strenuous activity TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should note that the question is asking which of the answers indicate that more education is needed. Answer 2 should be selected because 2 weeks is too early to return to strenuous contact sports
The nurse is caring for a neonate with an anorectal malformation. The nurse notes that the infant has not passed any stool per rectum but that the infant's urine contains meconium. The nurse can make which of the following assumptions? 1. The child likely has a low anorectal malformation. 2. The child likely has a high anorectal malformation. 3. The child will not need a colostomy. 4. This malformation will be corrected with a nonoperative rectal pull-through.
2. The presence of stool in the urine indicates that the anorectal malformation is high. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker needs to consider that stool is present in the urine, indicating a fistula is present and a more complex anorectal malformation exists, so answers 1 and 4 can be eliminated.
The nurse is caring for an infant with biliary atresia. The parents ask why the child is receiving cholestyramine. Select the nurse's best response. 1. To lower your child's cholesterol. 2. To relieve your child's itching. 3. To help your child gain weight. 4. To help feedings be absorbed in a more efficient manner
2. The primary reason cholestyramine is administered to the child with biliary atresia is to relieve pruritus. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker needs to consider the manifestations of the disease process when considering why medications are administered. The liver is unable to eliminate bile, which leads to intense pruritus.
The nurse is administering Prilosec to a 3-month-old with GER. The child's parents ask the nurse how the medication works. Select the nurse's best response. 1. "Prilosec is a proton pump inhibitor that is commonly used for reflux in infants." 2. "Prilosec decreases stomach acid, so it will not be as irritating when your child spits up." 3. "Prilosec helps food move through the stomach quicker, so there will be less chance for reflux." 4. "Prilosec relaxes the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter."
2. This accurate description gives the parents information that is clear and concise. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should eliminate answers 1 and 4 because they do not communicate information in a manner that will be clear to many parents.
The nurse is caring for a newborn with a cleft lip and palate. The mother states, "I will not be able to breastfeed my baby." Select the nurse's best response. 1. "It sounds like you are feeling discouraged. Would you like to talk about it?" 2. "Sometimes breastfeeding is still an option for babies with a cleft lip and palate. Would you like more information?" 3. "Although breastfeeding is not an option, you have the option of pumping your milk and then feeding it to your baby with a special nipple." 4. "We usually discourage breastfeeding babies with cleft lip and palate as it puts them at an increased risk for aspiration."
2. Some mothers are able to breastfeed their infants who have a cleft lip and palate. The breast can help fill in the cleft and help the infant create suction TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should be led to select answer 2 because the breast can sometimes act to fill in the cleft.
The nurse is providing discharge instructions to the parents of an infant who has had surgery to open a low imperforate anus. The nurse knows that the discharge instructions have been understood when the child's parents say which of the following? 1. "We will use an oral thermometer because we cannot use a rectal one." 2. "We will call the physician if the stools change in consistency." 3. "Our infant will never be toilet-trained." 4. "We understand that it is not unusual for our infant's urine to contain stool."
2. A change in stool form is important to report because it could indicate stenosis of the rectum TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should eliminate answer 3 as it contains the word "never." There are very few circumstances in health care in which "never" is the case
The parents of a 6-year-old being evaluated for appendicitis tell the nurse the physician diagnosed their child as having a positive Rovsing sign. They ask the nurse what this means. Select the nurse's best response. 1. "Your child's physician should answer that question." 2. "A positive Rovsing sign means the child feels pain in the right side of the abdomen when the left side is palpated." 3. "A positive Rovsing sign means pain is felt when the physician removes the hand from the abdomen." 4. "A positive Rovsing sign means pain is felt in the right lower quadrant when the child coughs."
2. A positive Rovsing sign occurs when the left lower quadrant is palpated and pain is felt in the right lower quadrant. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should immediately eliminate answer 1 because it is not therapeutic and is dismissive.
The nurse is reviewing the discharge instructions of a child diagnosed with encopresis. Which of the following instructions should the nurse question? 1. Limit the intake of milk. 2. Encourage positive reinforcement for appropriate toileting habits. 3. Obtain a complete dietary log. 4. Follow up with a child psychologist or psychiatrist
2. Positive reinforcement is encouraged. The use of negative reinforcement is discouraged, however, as it may cause the child to attempt to be controlling by holding on to the stool. TEST-TAKING HINT: Recall the developmental needs of children and successful approaches to meet their needs.
The nurse is caring for an infant who has been diagnosed with SBS. The parents of the infant ask how the disease will affect their child. Select the nurse's best response. 1. "Because your child has a shorter intestine than most, your child will likely experience constipation and will need to be placed on a bowel regimen." 2. "Because your child has a shorter intestine than most, your child will not be able to absorb all the nutrients and vitamins in food and will need to get nutrients in alternative ways." 3. "Unfortunately, most children with this diagnosis do not do very well." 4. "The prognosis and course of the disease have changed because hyperalimentation is available.
2. Because the intestine is used for absorption, children with SBS usually need alternative forms of nutrition such as hyperalimentation. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should eliminate answer 1 as it is false. Answer 3 can also be eliminated because it makes a generalization that should not be made without knowing the details of the child's diagnosis
Which of the following manifestations suggests that an infant is developing NEC? 1. The infant absorbs bolus orogastric feedings at a faster rate than previous feedings. 2. The infant has bloody diarrhea. 3. The infant has increased bowel sounds. 4. The infant appears hungry right before a scheduled feeding
2. Bloody diarrhea can indicate that the infant has NEC TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker needs to be familiar with manifestations of NEC and be led to select answer 2.
The nurse is caring for a 3-year-old who had an appendectomy 2 days ago. When taking the child's temperature, the nurse notes that the child has a fever of 101.8°F (38.8°C). The nurse notes the child's breath sounds are slightly diminished in the right lower lobe. Which of the following actions is most appropriate for this patient? 1. Teach the child how to use an incentive spirometer. 2. Encourage the child to blow bubbles. 3. Obtain an order for intravenous antibiotics. 4. Obtain an order for acetaminophen.
2. Blowing bubbles is a developmentally appropriate way to help the preschooler take deep breaths and cough. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should be aware that a fever in the first few days after surgery is generally due to pulmonary complications, so that answer 3 can be eliminated. Remembering the developmental needs of the child, the test taker should select answer 2.
The nurse is providing discharge teaching to the parents of an infant with an umbilical hernia. Which of the following should be included in the plan of care? 1. If the hernia has not resolved on its own by the age of 12 months, surgery is generally recommended. 2. If the hernia appears to be more swollen or tender, seek medical care immediately. 3. To help the hernia resolve, place a pressure dressing over the area gently. 4. If the hernia is repaired surgically, there is a strong likelihood that it will return
2. If the hernia appears larger, swollen, or tender, the intestine may be trapped, which is a surgical emergency TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should be led to select answer 2 because a change in the hernia indicates an incarcerated hernia, which is an emergency
The nurse is caring for a 7-week-old scheduled for a pyloromyotomy in 24 hours. Which of the following would the nurse expect to find in the plan of care? 1. Keep infant NPO; begin intravenous fluids at maintenance. 2. Keep infant NPO; begin intravenous fluids at maintenance; place NGT to low wall suction. 3. Obtain serum electrolytes; keep infant NPO; do not attempt to pass NGT due to obstruction from pylorus. 4. Offer infant small frequent feedings; keep NPO 6 to 8 hours before surgery.
2. In addition to giving fluids intravenously and keeping the infant NPO, an NGT is placed to decompress the stomach TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should consider the pathophysiology of pyloric stenosis and eliminate answers 1, 3, and 4.
The nurse is caring for a newborn who has just been diagnosed with tracheoesophageal atresia and is scheduled for surgery. Which of the following should the nurse expect to do in the preoperative period? 1. Keep the child in a monitored crib, obtain frequent vital signs, and allow the parents to visit but not hold their infant. 2. Administer intravenous fluids and antibiotics. 3. Place the infant on 100% oxygen via a non-rebreather mask. 4. Have the mother feed the infant slowly in a monitored area, stopping all feedings 4 to 6 hours before surgery.
2. Intravenous fluids are administered to prevent dehydration because the infant is NPO. Intravenous antibiotics are administered to prevent pneumonia because aspiration of secretions is likely. TEST-TAKING HINT: Infants with tracheoesophageal atresia are at great risk for aspiration and subsequent pneumonia. With this knowledge, the test taker should eliminate answer 4 and select answer 2.
The nurse is caring for a 9-month-old with diarrhea secondary to rotavirus. The child has not vomited and is mildly dehydrated. The nurse is sending the child home. Which of the following is likely to be included in the discharge teaching? 1. Administer Immodium as needed. 2. Administer Kaopectate as needed. 3. Continue breastfeeding per routine. 4. The infant may return to day care 24 hours after antibiotics have been started.
3. Breastfeeding is usually well tolerated and helps prevent death of intestinal villi and malabsorption. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker can eliminate answer 4 as antibiotics are not effective with viruses such as rotavirus. Answers 1 and 2 can be eliminated as antidiarrheal agents are not recommended in the pediatric population.
The nurse is caring for a 3-month-old male who is being evaluated for possible Hirschsprung disease. His parents call the nurse and state that his diaper contains a large amount of mucus and bloody diarrhea. The nurse notes that the infant is irritable and his abdomen appears very distended. Which of the following should be the nurse's next action? 1. Reassure the parents that this is an expected finding and not uncommon. 2. Call a code for a potential cardiac arrest, and stay with the infant. 3. Immediately obtain all vital signs with a quick head-to-toe assessment. 4. Obtain a stool sample for occult blood.
3. All vital signs need to be evaluated because the child with enterocolitis can quickly progress to a state of shock. A quick head-to-toe assessment will allow the nurse to evaluate the child's circulatory system. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should select answer 3 because there is not enough information to determine the status of the child. Obtaining vital signs will help the nurse to assess the situation.
The nurse is caring for a 3-year-old undergoing evaluation for celiac disease. Which of the following would the nurse expect to be included in the child's diagnostic workup? 1. Obtain complete blood count and serum electrolytes. 2. Obtain complete blood count and stool sample; keep child NPO. 3. Obtain stool sample and prepare child for jejunal biopsy. 4. Obtain complete blood count and serum electrolytes; monitor child's response to gluten-containing diet.
3. A stool sample for analysis of fat and a jejunal biopsy can confirm the diagnosis TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should eliminate answers 1, 2, and 4 because they do not include preparing the child for a jejunal biopsy, which is the key to a definitive diagnosis of celiac disease
A 7-year-old is being seen in the pediatric clinic. The child is diagnosed with chronic constipation that has been unresponsive to dietary and activity changes. Which of the following pharmacological measures is most appropriate? 1. Natural supplements and herbs. 2. A stimulant laxative. 3. A stool softener. 4. Pharmacological measures are not used in pediatric constipation.
3. A stool softener is the drug of choice because it will lead to easier evacuation. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should eliminate answer 4 as it implies that medications are never given to the constipated child. In health care, there are very few cases of "never" and "always."
The nurse is caring for a 5-month-old infant with a diagnosis of intussusception. The infant has periods of irritability during which the knees are brought to chest and the infant cries, alternating with periods of lethargy. Vital signs are stable and within age-appropriate limits. The physician elects to give an enema. The parents ask the purpose of is the enema. Select the nurse's most appropriate response. 1. "The enema will confirm the diagnosis. If the test result is positive, your child will need to have surgery to correct the intussusception." 2. "The enema will confirm the diagnosis. Although very unlikely, the enema may also help fix the intussusception so that your child will not immediately need surgery." 3. "The enema will help confirm diagnosis and has a good chance of fixing the intussusception." 4. "The enema will help confirm the diagnosis and may temporarily fix the intussusception. If the bowel returns to normal, there is a strong likelihood that the intussusception will recur."
3. In most cases of intussusception in young children, an enema is successful in reducing the intussusception TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker needs to be aware that intussusceptions in young children respond well to reduction by enema.
The parents of a 4-year-old ask the nurse how to manage their child's constipation. Select the nurse's best response. 1. "Add 2 ounces of apple or pear juice to the child's diet." 2. "Be sure your child eats a lot of fresh fruit such as apples and bananas." 3. "Encourage your child to drink more fluids." 4. "Decrease bulky foods such as whole-grain breads and rice."
3. Increasing fluid consumption helps to decrease the hardness of the stool. TEST-TAKING HINT: Answer 1 decreases constipation in the infant but not in the preschooler.
The nurse is caring for an 8-week-old infant being evaluated for pyloric stenosis. Which of the following statements made by the parents would be typical of a child with this diagnosis? 1. "The baby is a very fussy eater and just does not want to eat." 2. "The baby tends to have a very forceful vomiting episode approximately 30 minutes after most feedings." 3. "The baby is always hungry." 4. "The baby is happy in spite of getting really upset on spitting up."
3. Infants with pyloric stenosis are always hungry and often appear malnourished. TEST-TAKING HINT: Recall the dynamics of pyloric stenosis. Because feedings are not absorbed, the infant is irritable and hungry. The test taker can eliminate answers 1 and 4 and select answer 3.
The nurse is caring for a 1-month-old term infant who experienced an anoxic episode at birth. The health-care team suspects that the infant is developing NEC. Which of the following would the nurse expect to be included in the plan of care? 1. Immediately remove the feeding NGT from the infant. 2. Obtain vital signs every 4 hours. 3. Prepare to administer antibiotics intravenously. 4. Change feedings to half-strength and administer slowly via a feeding pump.
3. Intravenous antibiotics are administered to prevent or treat sepsis. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker needs to consider the plan of care for an infant with NEC. This child is at risk for becoming critically ill, so feedings are stopped and vital signs are monitored very closely
The nurse is working in the pediatric clinic and is seeing many children with diarrhea. Which of the following children can most likely be discharged without further evaluation? 1. A 2-year-old who has had 24 hours of watery diarrhea that has changed to bloody diarrhea in the past 12 hours. 2. A 10-year-old who has just returned from a Scout camping trip. 3. A 2-year-old who had a relapse of one diarrhea episode after restarting a normal diet. 4. A 6-year-old who has been having vomiting and diarrhea for 2 days and has decreased urine output.
3. It is common for children to have a relapse of diarrhea after resuming a regular diet. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should eliminate answers 1 and 4 because they describe children who may have altered electrolytes and blood counts due to prolonged diarrhea.
The nurse is caring for a 3-month-old infant who has SBS and has been receiving TPN. The parents ask if their child will ever be able to eat. Select the nurse's best response. 1. "Children with SBS are never able to eat and must receive all of their nutrition in intravenous form." 2. "You will have to start feeding your child because children cannot be on TPN longer than 6 months." 3. "We will start feeding your child soon so that the bowel continues to receive stimulation." 4. "Your child will start receiving tube feedings soon but will never be able to eat by mouth."
3. It is important to begin feedings as soon as the bowel is healed so that it receives stimulation and does not atrophy TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker could eliminate answers 1 and 4 as they contain the word "never," which is rarely used in health-care scenarios.
The nurse is caring for a 5-year-old who has just returned from having an appendectomy. Which of the following is the optimal way to manage pain? 1. Intravenous morphine as needed. 2. Liquid Tylenol with codeine as needed. 3. Morphine administered through a PCA pump. 4. Intramuscular morphine as needed.
3. Morphine administered through a PCA pump offers the child control over managing pain. The PCA pump also has the benefit of offering a basal rate as well as an as-needed rate for optimal pain management TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker needs to recall that PCA analgesia is very effective, even in young children.
The nurse is caring for an 18-month-old infant whose cleft palate was repaired 12 hours ago. Which of the following should be included in the plan of care? 1. Allow the infant to have familiar items of comfort such as a favorite stuffed animal and a pacifier. 2. Once liquids have been tolerated, encourage a bland diet such as soup, Jell-O, and saltine crackers. 3. Administer pain medication on a regular schedule, as opposed to an as-needed schedule. 4. Use a Yankauer suction catheter on the infant's mouth to decrease the risk of aspiration of oral secretions.
3. Pain medication should be administered regularly to avoid crying, which places stress on the suture line. TEST-TAKING HINT: The child who has had a cleft palate repair should have nothing in the mouth that could irritate the suture line. Answers 1, 2, and 4 can be eliminated
The nurse in the pediatric clinic receives a call from the parent of a 5-year-old and states that the child has been having diarrhea for 24 hours. The parent explains that the child vomited twice 2 hours ago and now claims to be thirsty. The parent asks what to offer the child because the child is refusing Pedialyte. Select the nurse's most appropriate response. 1. "You can offer clear diet soda such as Sprite and ginger ale." 2. "Pedialyte is really the best thing for your child, who, if thirsty enough, will eventually drink it." 3. "Pedialyte is really the best thing for your child. Allow your child some choicein the way to take it. Try offering small amounts in a spoon, medicine cup, or syringe." 4. "It really does not matter what your child drinks as long as it is kept down. Try offering small amounts of fluids in medicine cups."
3. Pedialyte is the first choice, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Offering the child appropriate choices may allow the child to feel empowered and less likely to refuse the Pedialyte. Small, frequent amounts are usually better tolerated. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should eliminate answer 2 because it offers an ultimatum to a child. The child is likely to refuse the Pedialyte, worsening the state of dehydration.
The nurse is caring for a 2-year-old child who was admitted to the pediatric unit for moderate dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea. The child is noted to be restless, with periods of irritability. The child is afebrile with a heart rate of 148 and a blood pressure of 90/42. Baseline laboratory tests reveal the following: Na 152, Cl 119, and glucose 115.The parents state that the child has not urinated in 12 hours. After establishing a saline lock, the nurse reviews the physician's orders. Which of the following orders should the nurse question? 1. Administer a saline bolus of 10 mL/kg, which may repeat if child does not urinate. 2. Recheck serum electrolytes in 12 hours. 3. After the saline bolus, begin maintenance fluids of D5 1/4 NS with 10 mEq KCl/L. 4. Give clear liquid diet as tolerated.
3. Potassium is contraindicated because the child has not yet urinated. Potassium is not added to the maintenance fluid until kidney function has been verified. TEST-TAKING HINT: Be aware of the usual ways in which dehydration is treated. Answer 3 should be selected because the description states that the child has not urinated.
The nurse is caring for an infant with pyloric stenosis. The parents ask if any future children will likely have pyloric stenosis. Select the nurse's best response. 1. "You seem worried; would you like to discuss your concerns?" 2. "It is very rare for a family to have more than one child with pyloric stenosis." 3. "Pyloric stenosis can run in families. It is more common among males." 4. "Although there can be a genetic link, it is very unusual for girls to have pyloric stenosis."
3. Pyloric stenosis can run in families, and it is more common in males. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker needs to be familiar with pyloric stenosis.
The nurse is caring for a 4-month-old with GER. The infant is due to receive Reglan (metoclopramide). Based on the medication's mechanism of action, whenshould this medication be administered? 1. Immediately before a feeding. 2. 30 minutes after the feeding. 3. 30 minutes before the feeding. 4. At bedtime.
3. Reglan increases gastric emptying and should be administered 30 minutes TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker needs to be familiar with the administration of Reglanbefore a feeding.
A 2-month-old male is brought to the pediatric clinic. The infant has had vomiting and diarrhea for 24 hours. The infant's anterior fontanel is sunken. The child is irritable, and the nurse notes that the infant does not produce tears when he cries. Which of the following tasks will help confirm the diagnosis of dehydration? 1. Urinalysis obtained by bagged specimen. 2. Urinalysis obtained by sterile catheterization. 3. Analysis of serum electrolytes. 4. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid.
3. The analysis of serum electrolytes offers the most information and assists with the diagnosis of dehydration TEST-TAKING HINT: Infants have limited ability to concentrate urine, so answers 1 and 2 can be eliminated immediately.
The nurse is giving discharge instructions to the parents of a 1-month-old infant with tracheoesophageal atresia. The infant is being discharged with a GT. The nurse knows that the parents understand the discharge teaching when the mother states: 1. "I will give my baby feedings through the GT but place liquid medications in the corner of the mouth to be absorbed." 2. "I will flush the GT with 2 ounces of water after each feeding to prevent the GT from clogging." 3. "I will clean the area around the GT with soap and water every day." 4. "I will place petroleum jelly around the GT if any redness develops."
3. The area around the GT should be cleaned with soap and water to prevent an infection. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should immediately eliminate answer 1 because medications and feedings can be placed in the GT. The test taker should recall that 2 ounces of water after each feeding is a large amount (recalling that infants are typically fed at least every 4 hours).
The nurse is caring for a newborn with an anorectal malformation and has had a colostomy placed. The nurse knows that more education is needed when the infant's parent states which of the following? 1. "I will make sure the stoma is red." 2. "There should not be any discharge or irritation around the outside of the stoma." 3. "I will keep a bag attached to avoid the contents of the small intestine coming in contact with the baby's skin." 4. "As my baby grows, a pattern will develop over time, and there should be predictable bowel movements."
3. The colostomy contains stool from the large intestine; an ileostomy contains the very irritating stool from the small intestine TEST-TAKING HINT: Although it is important to keep a bag attached to the colostomy, the contents are not the irritating effluent of an ileostomy
The nurse is caring for an 8-year-old who has just returned to the pediatric unit after an appendectomy for a ruptured appendix. Which of the following is the best position for the child? 1. Semi-Fowler. 2. Prone. 3. Right side-lying. 4. Left side-lying.
3. The right side-lying position promotes comfort and allows the peritoneal cavity to drain TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should be led to answer 3 because lying on the same side as the abdominal incision is usually the most comfortable for the child.
The mother of a newborn asks the nurse why she has to nurse so frequently. The nurse replies using which of the following principles? 1. Formula tends to be more calorically dense, and formula-fed babies require fewer feedings than breastfed babies. 2. The newborn's stomach capacity is small, and peristalsis is slow. 3. The newborn's stomach capacity is small, and peristalsis is more rapid than in older children. 4. Breastfed babies tend to take longer to complete a feeding than formula-fed babies.
3. The small-stomach capacity and rapid movement of fluid through the digestive system account for the need for small frequent feedings. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should eliminate answers 1 and 4 because they both form generalizations that are not supported by current literature.
The nurse is caring for a 4-month-old who has just had an isolated cleft lip repaired. Select the best position for the child in the immediate postoperative period. 1. Right side-lying. 2. Left side-lying. 3. Supine. 4. Prone.
3. The supine position is preferred because there is decreased risk of the infant rubbing the suture line. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should be led to answer 3 because it is the only option in which the suture line is not at increased risk for injury.
The nurse is conducting an in-service lecture on NEC to a group of colleagues. The nurse knows that she needs to provide more education when one of the participants states which of the following? 1. "Encouraging the mother to pump her milk for the feedings helps prevent NEC." 2. "Some sources state that the occurrence of NEC has increased because so many preterm infants are surviving." 3. "When signs of sepsis appear, the infant will likely deteriorate quickly." 4. "NEC occurs only in preemies and low-birth-weight infants."
4. Although much more common in preterm and low-birth-weight infants, NEC is also seen in term infants as well. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker needs to be familiar with general concepts associated with NEC. Answer 4 contains the word "only," which is an absolute value that is rarely used in health care.
The nurse is caring for a 14-year-old with celiac disease. The nurse knows that the patient understands the diet instructions by ordering which of the following meals? 1. Eggs, bacon, rye toast, and lactose-free milk. 2. Pancakes, orange juice, and sausage links. 3. Oat cereal, breakfast pastry, and nonfat skim milk. 4. Cheese, banana slices, rice cakes, and whole milk.
4. Cheese, banana slices, rice cakes, and whole milk do not contain gluten. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker needs to recall that children with celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats. Answers 1, 2, and 3 contain gluten.
The nurse is teaching feeding techniques to new parents. The nurse emphasizes the importance of slowly warming the formula and testing the temperature prior to feeding the infant. The parent of a newborn asks, "Will my baby spit out the formula if it is too hot or too cold?" Select the nurse's best response. 1. "Babies have a tendency to reject hot fluids but not cold fluids, which could result in abdominal discomfort." 2. "Babies have a tendency to reject cold fluids but not hot fluids, which could result in esophageal burns." 3. "Your baby would most likely spit out formula that was too hot, but your baby could swallow some of it, which could result in a burn." 4. "Your baby is too young to be physically capable of spitting out fluids and will automatically swallow anything."
4. Swallowing is a reflex in infants younger than 6 weeks. TEST-TAKING HINT: Swallowing is a reflex that is present until the age of 6 weeks. The test taker should eliminate answers 1, 2, and 3 as they both suggest that the infant is capable of selectively rejecting fluids.
The nurse is about to receive a 4-year-old from the recovery room after anappendectomy for a non-ruptured appendix. The parents have not seen the child since the surgery and ask what to expect. Select the nurse's best response. 1. "Your child will be very sleepy, have an intravenous line in the hand, and have a nasal tube to help drain the stomach. If your child needs pain medication, it will be given intravenously." 2. "Your child will be very sleepy, have an intravenous line in the hand, and have white stockings to help prevent blood clots. If your child needs pain medication, we will give it intravenously or provide a liquid to swallow." 3. "Your child will be wide awake and will have an intravenous line in the hand. If your child needs pain medication, we will give it intravenously or provide a liquid to swallow." 4. "Your child will be very sleepy and will have an intravenous line in the hand. If your child needs pain medication, we will give it intravenously."
4. In the immediate postoperative period, the child is usually sleepy but can be roused. The child usually has an intravenous line for hydration and pain medication. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should eliminate answer 1 because NGTs are not used unless the appendix has ruptured. Answer 2 can also be eliminated because a 4-year-old who is post appendectomy is not at risk for blood clots.
A nurse working in an emergency room of a large pediatric hospital receives a transfer call from a reporting nurse at a local community hospital. The nurse will soon receive a 4-month-old who has been diagnosed with an intussusception. The infant is described as very lethargic with the following vital signs, T 101.8°F (38.7°C), HR 181, BP 68/38. The reporting nurse states the infant's abdomen is very rigid. Which of the following is the most appropriate action for the receiving nurse? 1. Prepare to accompany the infant to a computed tomography scan to confirm the diagnosis. 2. Prepare to accompany the infant to the radiology department for a reducing enema. 3. Prepare to start a second intravenous line to administer fluids and antibiotics. 4. Prepare to get the infant ready for immediate surgical correction.
4. Intussusception with peritonitis is a surgical emergency, so preparing the infant for surgery is the nurse's top priority. TEST-TAKING HINT: The child has already been diagnosed and is displaying signs of shock and peritonitis. The nurse must act quickly and get the child the surgical attention needed to avoid disastrous consequences.
The nurse is caring for a 2-month-old infant diagnosed with GER. Which of the following should the nurse include in the plan of care to decrease the incidence of symptoms of GER? 1. Place the infant in an infant seat immediately after feedings. 2. Place the infant in the prone position immediately after feeding to decrease the risk of aspiration. 3. Encourage the parents not to worry because most infants outgrow GER within the first year of life. 4. Encourage the parents to hold the infant in an upright position for 30 minutes following a feeding.
4. Keeping the infant in an upright position is the best way to decrease the symptoms of GER. The infant can also be placed in the supine position with the head of the crib elevated. A harness can be used to keep the child from sliding down. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker may be led to answers 3 and 4 as they are both correct. The question is looking for ways to decrease reflux. Although decreasing parental anxiety may help decrease reflux, the better answer is 4, as it more likely to be an effective management plan.
The nurse receives a call from the parent of a 10-month-old who has vomited three times in the past 8 hours. The parent describes the baby as playful and wanting to drink. The parent asks the nurse what to give the child. Select the nurse's best response. 1. "Replace the next feeding with regular water, and see if that is better tolerated." 2. "Do not allow your baby to eat any solids; give half the normal formula feeding, and see if that is better tolerated." 3. "Do not allow your baby to eat or drink anything for 24 hours to give the stomach a chance to rest." 4. "Give your child a very small amount of Pedialyte. If vomiting continues, wait a half hour, and then give half of what you previously gave."
4. Offering small amounts of clear liquids is usually well tolerated. The amount can be halved if the child vomits as long as the child does not appear to be dehydrated. The child in this scenario is described as playful and therefore does not appear to be at risk for dehydration. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should eliminate answers 1 and 3 because they could cause harm to the infant.
The nurse in the pediatric clinic is providing instructions to the parents of a 2-yearold child who has just been diagnosed with acute hepatitis. Which of the following would be an appropriate activity for the nurse to recommend? 1. Riding a bike in an enclosed area such as a basement. 2. Playing basketball. 3. Playing video games in bed. 4. Playing with puzzles in bed.
4. Playing with puzzles is a developmentally appropriate activity for a 3-yearold on bedrest. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should incorporate developmentally appropriate activities for the child in the early stages of acute hepatitis. Answers 1 and 2 can be eliminated as they are not activities that can be done while resting. Answer 4 should be selected because it is a better activity for a 3-year-old.
The nurse is caring for an 8-week-old male who has just been diagnosed with Hirschsprung disease. The parents ask what they should expect. Select the nurse's best response. 1. "It is really an easy disease to manage. Most children are placed on stool softeners to help with constipation until the constipation resolves." 2. "A permanent stool diversion, called a colostomy, will be placed by the surgeon to bypass the narrowed area." 3. "Daily bowel irrigations will help your child maintain regular bowel habits." 4. "Although your child will require surgery, there are different ways to manage the disease, depending on how much of your child's bowel is involved."
4. The aganglionic portion needs to be removed. Although most children have a temporary colostomy placed, many infants are able to bypass the colostomy and have the bowel immediately reattached. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should be led to answer 4 as it is the least restrictive of all answers and is the only one that states that the child will require surgery. All children with Hirschsprung disease are managed surgically.
The nurse is in the room while a mother of a newborn is feeding her infant for the first time. The baby immediately begins coughing and choking. The nurse notes that the baby is extremely cyanotic. Which of the following should be the nurse's immediate action? 1. Call the physician, and inform the physician of the situation. 2. Have the mother stop feeding the infant, and observe to see if the choking episode resolves on its own. 3. Immediately determine the infant's oxygen saturation, and have the mother stop feeding the infant. 4. Take the infant from the mother, and administer blow-by oxygen while obtaining the infant's oxygen saturation.
4. The infant should be taken from the mother and placed in the crib where the nurse can assess the baby. Oxygen should be administered immediately, and vital signs should be obtained. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should be led to answer 4 because the baby is cyanotic and needs oxygen.
The parents of a newborn diagnosed with a cleft lip and palate ask the nurse when their child's lip and palate will most likely be repaired. Select the nurse's best response. 1. "The palate and the lip are usually repaired in the first few weeks of life so that the baby can grow and gain weight." 2. "The palate and the lip are usually not repaired until the baby is approximately 6 months old so that the mouth has had enough time to grow." 3. "The lip is repaired in the first few months of life, but the palate is not usually repaired until the child is 3 years old." 4. "The lip is repaired in the first few weeks of life, but the palate is not usually repaired until the child is 18 months old."
4. The lip is repaired in the first few weeks of life, but the palate is not usually repaired until the child is 18 months old. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should consider the palate's involvement in the development of speech and therefore eliminate answer 3. The palate is usually given at least a year to grow sufficiently.
The nurse is caring for a 10-year-old who is being evaluated for possible appendicitis. The child has been complaining of nausea and sharp abdominal pain in the rightlower quadrant. An abdominal ultrasound is scheduled, and a blood count has been obtained. The child vomits, finds the pain relieved, and calls the nurse. Which of the following should be the nurse's next action? 1. Cancel the ultrasound, and obtain an order for oral Zofran. 2. Cancel the ultrasound, and prepare to administer an intravenous bolus. 3. Prepare for the probable discharge of the patient. 4. Immediately notify the physician of the child's status.
4. The physician should be notified immediately, as a sudden change or loss of pain often indicates a perforated appendix. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker should eliminate answers 1 and 2 because there is no reason to cancel the ultrasound. The physician should always be notified of any changes in a patient's condition.
An expectant mother asks the nurse if her new baby will likely have an umbilical hernia. The nurse bases the response on which of the following? 1. Umbilical hernias occur more often in large infants. 2. Umbilical hernias occur more often in white infants than in African-American infants. 3. Umbilical hernias occur twice as often in male infants. 4. Umbilical hernias occur more often in premature infants.
4. Umbilical hernias occur more often in premature infants. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker needs to be familiar with the occurrence of umbilical hernias.
