NURS 355 Chapter 2, NURS 355 Chapter 4, NURS 355 Chapter 10, NURS 355 Chapter 12, NURS 355 Chapter 13, NURS 355 Chapter 15, NURS 355 Chapter 17, NURS 355 Chapter 22, NURS 355 Chapter 5, NURS 355 Chapter 27, NURS 355 Chapter 28, Chapter 01: Perspectiv...
The parents of a 5-year-old child ask the nurse, "How many hours of sleep a night does our child need?" The nurse should give which response?
"A 5-year-old child requires 11.5 hours of sleep." Sleep requirements decrease during school-age years; 5-year-old children generally require 11.5 hours of sleep.
The nurse is teaching parents about the effects of media on childhood obesity. The nurse realizes the parents understand the teaching if they make which statements? (Select all that apply.)
"Advertising of unhealthy food can increase snacking." "Increased screen time may be related to unhealthy sleep." "There is a link between the amount of screen time and obesity." A number of studies have demonstrated a link between the amount of screen time and obesity. Advertising of unhealthy food to children is a long-standing marketing practice, which may increase snacking in the face of decreased activity. In addition, both increased screen time and unhealthy eating may also be related to unhealthy sleep. Increased screen time does not lead to a better knowledge of nutrition or increased physical activity.
The parents of a 2-month-old boy are concerned about spoiling their son by picking him up when he cries. What is the nurse's best response?
"Babies need comforting and cuddling. Meeting these needs will not spoil him." Parents need to learn that a "spoiled child" is a response to inconsistent discipline and limit setting. It is important to meet the infant's developmental needs, including comforting and cuddling. The data suggest that responding to a child's crying can actually decrease the overall crying time. Allowing him to cry for no longer than 15 minutes and then picking him up will reinforce prolonged crying. Infants at this age have other needs besides feeding. The parents should be taught to identify their infant's cues. Counseling parents on letting the baby cry himself to sleep when not soiled or wet refers to sleep issues, not general infant behavior.
The nurse is teaching a staff development program about levels of sedation in the pediatric population. Which statement by one of the participants should indicate a correct understanding of the teaching?
"During moderate sedation, the patient responds to verbal commands but may not respond to light tactile stimulation." When discussing levels of sedation, the participants should understand that during moderate sedation, the patient responds to verbal commands but may not respond to light tactile stimulation, cognitive function is impaired, and respiratory function is adequate. In minimal sedation, the patient responds to verbal commands and may have impaired cognitive function; the respiratory and cardiovascular systems are unaffected. In deep sedation, the patient cannot be easily aroused except by painful stimuli; the airway and spontaneous ventilation may be impaired, but cardiovascular function is maintained. With general anesthesia, the patient loses consciousness and cannot be aroused with painful stimuli, the airway cannot be maintained, and ventilation is impaired; cardiovascular function may or may not be impaired.
The nurse is discussing development and play activities with the parent of a 2-month-old boy. Which statement by the parent would indicate a correct understanding of the teaching?
"I can use a music box and soft mobiles as appropriate play activities for my baby." Music boxes and soft mobiles are appropriate play activities for a 2-month-old infant. A ball of yarn to pull apart or different textured fabrics are appropriate for an infant at 6 to 9 months. A cup and spoon or push-pull toys are appropriate for an older infant. Infants of all ages should be exposed to appropriate types of stimulation.
The nurse is giving discharge instructions to the parents of a 5-year-old child who had a tonsillectomy 4 hours ago. What statement by the parent indicates a correct understanding of the teaching?
"I can use an ice collar on my child for pain control along with analgesics." Pain control after a tonsillectomy can be achieved with application of an ice collar and administration of analgesics. The child should avoid clearing the throat or coughing and does not need to gargle and brush teeth a certain number of times per day and should avoid vigorous gargling and toothbrushing. Also, the child's activity should be limited to decrease the potential for bleeding, at least for the first few days.
The nurse is discussing parenting in reconstituted families with a new stepparent. The nurse is aware that the new stepparent understands the teaching when which statement is made?
"I realize there may be power conflicts bringing two households together." The entry of a stepparent into a ready-made family requires adjustments for all family members. Power conflicts are expected, and flexibility, mutual support, and open communication are critical in successful relationships. So the statement that power conflicts are possible means teaching was understood. Some obstacles to the role adjustments and family problem solving include disruption of previous lifestyles and interaction patterns, complexity in the formation of new ones, and lack of social supports. Most children from divorced families want to live in a two-parent home. There should be continued contact with grandparents.
The nurse is providing guidance strategies to a group of parents with toddlers at a community outreach program. Which statement by a parent indicates a correct understanding of the teaching?
"I should expect my 24-month-old child to express some signs of readiness for toilet training." A 24-month-old toddler starts to show readiness for toilet training; it is important for the parent to be aware of this and be ready to start the process. At 18 months of age, a child needs consistent but gentle discipline because the child cannot yet understand firmness and structure with discipline. Development of fears and need for security items usually occurs at the end of the 18- to 24-month stage. A 36-month-old child does not yet understand time and proximity of events, so the parent needs to understand that the toddler cannot "hurry up or we will be late."
At a seminar for parents with preschool-age children, the nurse has discussed anticipatory tasks during the preschool years. Which statement by a parent should indicate a correct understanding of the teaching?
"I should expect my 3-year-old child to have a more stable appetite and an increase in food selections." A 3-year-old child exhibits a more stable appetite than during the toddler years and is more willing to try different foods. A 4-year-old child is imaginative and indulges in telling "tall tales" and may have an imaginary playmate; these are normal findings, not signs of stress. Also a 4-year-old child has an increasing curiosity in sexuality, which is not a sign of child abuse. A 5-year-old child is usually tranquil, not aggressive like a 4-year-old child.
The nurse is teaching a class on nutrition to a group of parents of 10- and 11-year-old children. What statement by one of the parents indicates a correct understanding of the teaching?
"I will serve foods that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol." School-age children should be eating foods that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol to prevent long-term consequences. The child's diet should include a variety of foods, include moderate amounts of extra salt and sugar, emphasize consumption of lean protein (chicken and pork), and limit red meat.
A mother brings 6-month-old Eric to the clinic for a well-baby checkup. She comments, "I want to go back to work, but I don't want Eric to suffer because I'll have less time with him." Which is the nurse's most appropriate answer?
"Let's talk about the child care options that will be best for Eric." Asking the mother about child care options is an open-ended statement that will assist the mother in exploring her concerns about what is best for both her and Eric. The other three answers are directive; they do not address the effect that her working will have on Eric.
The school nurse is teaching an adolescent about social networking and texting on phones. What statement by the adolescent indicates a need for further teaching?
"My text messaging during class time in school will not cause any disruption." Internet chatrooms and social networking sites have created a more public arena for trying out identities and developing interpersonal skills with a wider network of people, occasionally with anonymity. This can create opportunities for young people who have a limited access to friends (because of rural location, shyness, or rare chronic conditions) to interact with people like themselves. Both the online and text environment can create opportunities for cyberbullying, in which teens engage in insults, harassment, and publicly humiliating statements online or on cell phones. Text messaging and instant messaging via cell phones has become a common activity and can sometimes be disruptive during school. If the adolescent indicates it will not be disruptive, further teaching is needed.
Children as young as age 3 years can use facial scales for discrimination. What are some suggested anchor words for the preschool age group?
"No hurt" "No hurt" is a phrase that is simple, concrete, and appropriate to the preoperational stage of the child. Using color is complicated for this age group. The child needs to identify colors and pain levels and then choose an appropriate symbolic color. This is appropriate for an older child. Zero is an abstract construct not appropriate for this age group. "Least pain" is less concrete than "no hurt."
Parents of a preschool child ask the nurse, "Should we set rules for our child as part of a discipline plan?" Which is an accurate response by the nurse?
"Set clear and reasonable rules and expect the same behavior regardless of the circumstances." Nurses can help parents establish realistic and concrete "rules." The clearer the limits that are set and the more consistently they are enforced, the less need there is for disciplinary action. Delaying punishment weakens its intent. Children want and need limits. Unrestricted freedom is a threat to their security and safety. Reasoning involves explaining why an act is wrong and is usually appropriate for older children, especially when moral issues are involved. However, young children cannot be expected to "see the other side" because of their egocentrism.
The parents of a newborn say that their toddler "hates the baby. . . . He suggested that we put him in the trash can so the trash truck could take him away." What is the nurse's best reply?
"That is a normal response to the birth of a sibling. Let's look at ways to deal with this." The arrival of a new infant represents a crisis for even the best prepared toddler. Toddlers have their entire schedules and routines disrupted because of the new family member. The nurse should work with the parents on ways to involve the toddler in the newborn's care and to help focus attention on the toddler. The toddler does not hate the infant. This is an expected, normal response to the changes in routines and attention that affect the toddler. The toddler can be provided with a doll to imitate parents' behaviors. The child can care for the doll's needs at the same time the parent is performing similar care for the newborn.
Parents ask the nurse, "Should we be concerned our preschooler has an imaginary friend, and how should we react?" Which responses should the nurse give to the parents? (Select all that apply.)
"The imaginary playmate is a sign of health." "You can acknowledge the presence of the imaginary companion." "It is normal for a preschool-aged child to have an imaginary friend." Parents should be reassured that the child's fantasy is a sign of health that helps differentiate between make-believe and reality. Parents can acknowledge the presence of the imaginary companion by calling him or her by name and even agreeing to simple requests such as setting an extra place at the table, but they should not allow the child to use the playmate to avoid punishment or responsibility.
A 12-year-old girl asks the nurse about an increase in clear white odorless vaginal discharge. What response should the nurse give?
"This is normal before menstruation starts." Early in puberty, there is often an increase in normal vaginal discharge (physiologic leukorrhea) associated with uterine development. Girls or their parents may be concerned that this vaginal discharge is a sign of infection. The nurse can reassure them that the discharge is normal and a sign that the uterus is preparing for menstruation. It is caused by an increase in estrogen, not progesterone.
The nurse is explaining to an adolescent the rationale for administering a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) vaccine 3 years after the last Td (tetanus) booster. What should the nurse tell the adolescent?
"This vaccine will provide pertussis immunity." When the Tdap is used as a booster dose, it may be administered earlier than the previous 5-year interval to provide adequate pertussis immunity (regardless of interval from the last Td dose). It is not time or past time for a booster because they are required every 5 years. Another booster will be needed in 5 years, so it is not the last dose.
The nurse is discussing issues that are important with parents considering a cross-racial adoption. Which statement made by the parents indicates further teaching is needed?
"We are glad we will be getting full medical information when we adopt our child." In international adoptions, the medical information the parents receive may be incomplete or sketchy; weight, height, and head circumference are often the only objective information present in the child's medical record. Further teaching is needed if the parents expect full medical information. It is advised that parents who adopt children with different ethnic backgrounds do everything to preserve the adopted children's racial heritage. Strangers may make thoughtless comments and talk about the children as though they were not members of the family. It is vital that family members declare to others that this is their child and a cherished member of the family.
The nurse is teaching parents about instilling a positive body image for the preschool age. What statement made by the parents indicates the teaching is understood?
"We will make sure our child is praised about his or her looks." Because these are formative years for both boys and girls, parents should make efforts to instill positive principles regarding body image. Children at this age are aware of the meaning of words such as "pretty" or "ugly," and they reflect the opinions of others regarding their own appearance. Despite the advances in body image development, preschoolers have poorly defined body boundaries. By 5 years of age, children compare their size with that of their peers and can become conscious of being large or short, especially if others refer to them as "so big" or "so little" for their age. Parents should not suggest their child compare him- or herself with other children in regard to size, and parents should not focus on their child's size as being little.
The nurse is teaching the parents of a child with recurrent headaches methods to modify behavior patterns that increase the risk of headache. Which statement by the parents indicates understanding the teaching?
"We will respond matter-of-factly to requests for special attention." To modify behavior patterns that increase the risk of headache or reinforce headache activity, the nurse instructs the parents to avoid giving excessive attention to their child's headache and to respond matter-of-factly to pain behavior and requests for special attention. Parents learn to assess whether the child is avoiding school or social performance demands because of headache.
The nurse is caring for a 3-year-old child during a long hospitalization. The parent is concerned about how to support the child's siblings during the hospitalization. What statement is appropriate for the nurse to make?
"You could encourage a nightly phone call between the siblings as part of the bedtime routine." A supportive measure for siblings of a hospitalized child is to have a routine of a phone call at some point during the day or evening so the parent at the hospital can stay in touch and the children at home are involved and can hear that their sibling is doing well. Parents should alternate who stays at the hospital overnight to prevent burnout and to allow each parent time at home with the siblings. Encourage siblings to visit if appropriate to keep the family unit intact. Leaving the hospitalized child alone at night will not support the siblings at home and may cause problems with the hospitalized child.
At an 8-month-old well-baby visit, the parent tells the nurse that her infant falls asleep at night during the last bottle feeding but wakes up when moved to the infant's crib. What is the most appropriate response for the nurse to make?
"You could increase daytime feeding intervals to every 4 hours and put your baby in the crib while the baby is still awake." Increasing the daytime intervals to 4 hours and placing the baby in the crib while still awake are interventions for nighttime sleeping problems. Putting the baby to bed 1 hour earlier with a pacifier will not stop the need for the bedtime bottle; there is no research that rice cereal in the bottle helps to satisfy the baby longer at night, and switching partners does not guarantee that the baby will go to sleep better.
A female school-age child asks the school nurse, "How many pounds should I expect to gain in a year?" The nurse should give which response?
"You will gain about 4.4 to 6.6 lb per year." Between the ages of 6 and 12 years, children will almost double in weight, increasing 2 to 3 kg (4.4 to 6.6 lb) per year.
A male school-age student asks the school nurse, "How much with my height increase in a year?" The nurse should give which response?
"Your height will increase on average 2 inches a year." Between the ages of 6 and 12 years, children grow an average of 5 cm (2 inches) per year.
What choice of words or phrases would be inappropriate to use with a child?
"catheter" for "intravenous" Children can grasp information only if it is presented on or close to their level of cognitive development. This necessitates an awareness of the words used to describe events or processes, and exploring family traditions or approaches to information sharing and creating patient specific language or context. Therefore, to prevent or alleviate fears, nurses must be aware of the medical terminology and vocabulary that they use every day and be sensitive to the use of slang or confusing terminology. "Catheter" is a medical term and would be confusing.
The nurse is planning to administer a nonopioid for pain relief to a child. Which timing should the nurse plan so the nonopioid takes effect?
1 hour until maximum effect Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can provide safe and effective pain relief when dosed at appropriate levels with adequate frequency. Most NSAIDs take about 1 hour for effect, so timing is crucial.
The nurse understands that which guideline should be followed to determine serving sizes for toddlers?
1 tbsp of solid food per year of age To determine serving sizes for young children, the guideline to follow is 1 tbsp of solid food per year of age. One-half tbsp per year of age would not be adequate. Two or 2 1/2 tbsp per year of age would be excessive.
A series of subdiaphragmatic abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) is recommended for airway obstruction in children older than which age?
1 year A series of subdiaphragmatic abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) is recommended for airway obstruction in children older than 1 year. For children younger than 1 year, back blows and chest thrusts are administered.
The nursing process is a method of problem identification and problem solving that describes what the nurse actually does. Match each step of the nursing process with its definition. a. Assessment b. Diagnosis c. Outcomes identification d. Planning e. Implementation f. Evaluation 1. Problem identification 2. Expected patient goals 3. Purposeful collection of data 4. Development of a care plan 5. Determines if the outcome was met 6. Interventions are put into action
1. ANS: B 2. ANS: C 3. ANS: A 4. ANS: D 5. ANS: F 6. ANS: E
At which age should the nurse expect most infants to begin to say "mama" and "dada" with meaning?
10 months Beginning at about age 10 months, an infant is able to ascribe meaning to the words "mama" and "dada." Four to 6 months is too young for this behavior to develop. At 14 months, the child should be able to attach meaning to these words. By age 1 year, the child can say three to five words with meaning and understand as many as 100 words.
By which age should the nurse expect that an infant will be able to pull to a standing position?
11-12 months Most infants can pull themselves to a standing position at age 9 months. Infants who are not able to pull themselves to standing by age 11 to 12 months should be further evaluated for developmental dysplasia of the hip. At 6 months, infants have just obtained coordination of arms and legs. By age 8 months, infants can bear full weight on their legs.
At what age is it safe to give infants whole milk instead of commercial infant formula?
12 months The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend the use of cow's milk for children younger than 12 months. At 6 and 9 months, the infant should be receiving breast milk or iron-fortified commercial infant formula. At age 18 months, milk and formula are supplemented with solid foods, water, and some fruit juices.
The school nurse is teaching female school-age children about the average age of puberty. What is the average age of puberty for girls?
12 years
The nurse is teaching parents about avoiding accidental burns with their toddler. What water heater setting should the nurse recommend to the parents?
120 F The water heater should be set to limit household water temperatures to less than 49° C (120° F). At this temperature, it takes 10 minutes for exposure to the water to cause a full-thickness burn. Conversely, water temperatures of 54° C (130° F), the usual setting of most water heaters, expose household members to the risk of full-thickness burns within 30 seconds.
he school nurse recognizes that pubertal delay in girls is considered if breast development has not occurred by which age?
13 years Girls may be considered to have pubertal delay if breast development has not occurred by age 13 years or if menarche has not occurred within 2 to 2 1/2 years of the onset of breast development.
The school nurse recognizes that pubertal delay in boys is considered if no enlargement of the testes or scrotal changes have occurred by what age?
13.5 to 14 years Concerns about pubertal delay should be considered for boys who exhibit no enlargement of the testes or scrotal changes by ages 13 1/2 to 14 years or if genital growth is not complete 4 years after the testicles begin to enlarge.
The school nurse is teaching male school-age children about the average age of puberty. What is the average age of puberty for boys?
14 years Boys experience little sexual maturation during preadolescence
An infant weighed 8 lb at birth and was 18 inches in length. What weight and length should the infant be at 5 months of age?
16 lb, 23 in Infants gain 680 g (1.5 lb) per month until age 5 months, when the birth weight has at least doubled. Height increases by 2.5 cm (1 inch) per month during the first 6 months. Therefore, at 5 months the infant should weigh 16 lb and be 23 inches in length.
At which age should the nurse expect an infant to begin smiling in response to pleasurable stimuli?
2 months At age 2 months, the infant has a social, responsive smile. A reflex smile is usually present at age 1 month. A 3-month-old infant can recognize familiar faces. At age 4 months, infants can enjoy social interactions.
The nurse is explaining average weight gain during the preschool years to a group of parents. Which average weight gain should the nurse suggest to the parents?
2 to 3 kg The average weight gain remains approximately 2 to 3 kg (4.5-6.5 lb) per year during the preschool period.
What is the earliest age at which a satisfactory radial pulse can be taken in children?
2 years Satisfactory radial pulses can be taken in children older than 2 years. In infants and young children, the apical pulse is more reliable.
The nurse is assessing a toddler's visual acuity. Which visual acuity is considered acceptable during the toddler years?
20/40 Visual acuity of 20/40 is considered acceptable during the toddler years.
How much oxygen is contained in ambient air (room air)?
21% Room air is composed of 21% oxygen, trace amounts of carbon dioxide, and 79% nitrogen.
At which age does an infant start to recognize familiar faces and objects, such as his or her own hand?
3 months The child can recognize familiar objects at approximately age 3 months. For the first 2 months of life, infants watch and observe their surroundings. The 4-month-old infant is beginning to develop hand-eye coordination.
The nurse is testing an infant's visual acuity. By which age should the infant be able to fix on and follow a target?
3-4 months Visual fixation and ability to follow a target should be present by ages 3 to 4 months. One to 2 months is too young for this developmental milestone. If an infant is not able to fix and follow by 6 months, further ophthalmologic evaluation is needed.
To avoid a fall from a crib, the nurse recommends to parents that their toddler should sleep in a bed rather than a crib when reaching what height?
35 in When children reach a height of 89 cm (35 in), they should sleep in a bed rather than a crib.
What is the best age to introduce solid food into an infant's diet?
4 to 6 months Physiologically and developmentally, 4- to 6-month-old infants are in a transition period. The extrusion reflex has disappeared, and swallowing is a more coordinated process. In addition, the gastrointestinal tract has matured sufficiently to handle more complex nutrients and is less sensitive to potentially allergenic food. Infants of this age will try to help during feeding. Two to 3 months is too young. The extrusion reflex is strong, and the child will push food out with the tongue. No research indicates that the addition of solid food to a bottle has any benefit. Infant birth weight doubles at 1 year. Solid foods can be started earlier. Tooth eruption can facilitate biting and chewing; most infant foods do not require this ability.
Children may believe that they are responsible for their parents' divorce and interpret the separation as punishment. At which age is this most likely to occur?
4 years Preschool-age children are most likely to blame themselves for the divorce. A 4-year-old child will fear abandonment and express bewilderment regarding all human relationships. A 4-year-old child has magical thinking and believes his or her actions cause consequences, such as divorce. For infants, divorce may increase their irritability and interfere with the attachment process, but they are too young to feel responsibility. School-age children will have feelings of deprivation, including the loss of a parent, attention, money, and a secure future. Adolescents are able to disengage themselves from the parental conflict.
A school-age child has asthma. The nurse should teach the child that if a peak expiratory flow rate is in the yellow zone, this means that the asthma control is what?
50% to 79% of a personal best and needs an increase in the usual therapy. The interpretation of a peak expiratory flow rate that is yellow (50%-79% of personal best) signals caution. Asthma is not well controlled. An acute exacerbation may be present. Maintenance therapy may need to be increased. Call the practitioner if the child stays in this zone.
At which age do most infants begin to fear strangers?
6 months Between ages 6 and 8 months, fear of strangers and stranger anxiety become prominent and are related to infants' ability to discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar people. At 2 months, infants are just beginning to respond differentially to their mothers. The infant at age 4 months is beginning the process of separation-individuation, which involves recognizing the self and mother as separate beings. Twelve months is too late; the infant requires referral for evaluation if he or she does not fear strangers by this age.
Ethical dilemmas arise when competing moral considerations underlie various alternatives. Match each competing moral value with its definition. a. Autonomy b. Nonmaleficence c. Beneficence d. Justice 7. The obligation to promote the patient's well-being 8. The obligation to minimize or prevent harm 9. The patient's right to be self-governing 10. The concept of fairness
7. ANS: C 8. ANS: B 9. ANS: A 10. ANS: D
At which age can most infants sit steadily unsupported?
8 months Sitting erect without support is a developmental milestone usually achieved by 8 months. At age 4 months, an infant can sit with support. At age 6 months, the infant will maintain a sitting position if propped. By 10 months, the infant can maneuver from a prone to a sitting position.
With the National Center for Health Statistics criteria, which body mass index (BMI)-for-age percentiles should indicate the patient is at risk for being overweight?
85th percentile Children who have BMI-for-age greater than or equal to the 85th percentile and less than the 95th percentile are at risk for being overweight. Children who are greater than or equal to the 95th percentile are considered overweight. Children whose BMI is between the 10th and 75th percentiles are within normal limits.
The school nurse recognizes that adolescents should get how many hours of sleep each night?
9 hours Adolescents should generally get around 9 hours of sleep each night.
A nurse is observing children playing in the playroom. What describes parallel play?
A child playing with blocks next to a child playing with trucks Parallel play is when a toddler plays alongside, not with, other children. A child playing with blocks next to a child playing with trucks is descriptive of parallel play. The child playing a video game is descriptive of solitary play. Two children playing cards is descriptive of cooperative play. Two children watching a television is descriptive of associative play.
The nurse is interpreting a tuberculin skin test. If the nurse finds a result of an induration 5 mm or larger, in which child should the nurse document this finding as positive? (Select all that apply.)
A child receiving immunosuppressive therapy A child with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection A child living in close contact with a known contagious case of tuberculosis A tuberculin skin test with an induration of 5 mm or larger is considered to be positive if the child is receiving immunosuppressive therapy, has an HIV infection, or is living in close contact with a known contagious case of tuberculosis. The test would be considered positive in a child who has diabetes mellitus or is younger than 4 years of age if the tuberculin skin test had an induration of 10 mm or larger.
The clinic nurse is administering influenza vaccinations. Which children should not receive the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV)? (Select all that apply.)
A child with asthma A child with diabetes A child with cancer receiving chemotherapy The live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) is an acceptable alternative to the IM vaccine (IIV) for ages 2 to 49 years. It is a live vaccine administered via nasal spray. Several groups are excluded from receiving it, including children with a chronic heart or lung disease (asthma or reactive airways disease), diabetes, or kidney failure; children who are immunocompromised or receiving immunosuppressants; children younger than 5 years of age with a history of recurrent wheezing; children receiving aspirin; patients who are pregnant; children who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs or who are allergic to any of the nasal spray vaccine components; or children with a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome after a previous dose. A child with hemophilia A or gastroesophageal reflux disease would not be immunocompromised so they can receive the LAIV.
An 8-year-old girl tells the nurse that she has cancer because God is punishing her for "being bad." What should the nurse interpret this as?
A common belief at this age Children at this age may view illness or injury as a punishment for a real or imagined misbehavior. School-age children expect to be punished and tend to choose a punishment that they think "fits the crime." This is a common belief and not related to excessive family pressure. Many faiths do not include a God that causes cancer in response for "bad" behavior. This statement reflects the child's belief in what is right and wrong.
A parent of a school-age child tells the school nurse that the parents are going through a divorce. The child has not been doing well in school and sometimes has trouble sleeping. The nurse should recognize this as what?
A common reaction to divorce Parental divorce affects school-age children in many ways. In addition to difficulties in school, they often have profound sadness, depression, fear, insecurity, frequent crying, loss of appetite, and sleep disorders. The child's responses are common reactions of school-age children to parental divorce.
A 3-year-old child woke up in the middle of the night with a croupy cough and inspiratory stridor. The parents bring the child to the emergency department, but by the time they arrive, the cough is gone, and the stridor has resolved. What can the nurse teach the parents with regard to this type of croup?
A cool mist vaporizer at the bedside can help prevent this type of croup. Acute spasmodic laryngitis (spasmodic croup, "midnight croup," or "twilight croup") is distinct from laryngitis and LTB and characterized by paroxysmal attacks of laryngeal obstruction that occur chiefly at night. The child goes to bed well or with some mild respiratory symptoms but awakens suddenly with characteristic barking; a metallic cough; hoarseness; noisy inspirations; and restlessness. However, there is no fever, and the episode subsides in a few hours. Children with spasmodic croup are managed at home. Cool mist is recommended for the child's room. A tepid water bath will not help, but steam provided by hot water may relieve the laryngeal spasm. The child will not need Tylenol, and antibiotics are not given for this type of croup.
The development of sexual orientation during adolescence is what?
A developmental process The development of sexual orientation as a part of sexual identity includes several developmental milestones during late childhood and throughout adolescence. The sequence and time spent in phases are different for each individual. Boys and girls pass through the same developmental milestones.
A parent asks about whether a 7-year-old child is able to care for a dog. Based on the child's age, what does the nurse suggest?
A dog can help the child develop confidence and emotional health. Pets have been observed to influence a child's self-esteem. They can have a positive effect on physical and emotional health and can teach children the importance of nurturing and nonverbal communication. Most 7-year-old children are capable of caring for a pet with supervision. Caring for a pet should be a positive experience. It should not be used to identify weaknesses. The pet chosen does not matter as much as the child's being responsible for a pet.
Chronic otitis media with effusion (OME) differs from acute otitis media (AOM) because it is usually characterized by which signs or symptoms?
A feeling of fullness in the ear OME is characterized by a feeling of fullness in the ear or other nonspecific complaints. OME does not cause severe pain. This may be a sign of AOM. Vomiting, anorexia, and fever are associated with AOM.
A 1-year-old child has acute otitis media (AOM) and is being treated with oral antibiotics. What should the nurse include in the discharge teaching to the infant's parents?
A follow-up visit should be done after all medicine has been given. Children with AOM should be seen after antibiotic therapy is complete to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and to identify potential complications, such as effusion or hearing impairment. Hearing loss does not usually occur with acute otitis media. Tylenol should be given for pain, and the infant will not necessarily need a myringotomy procedure.
The nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who is receiving 2 L of oxygen per nasal cannula. What disadvantage should the nurse consider when planning care for the child?
A nasal cannula may cause abdominal distention All oxygen delivery systems have advantages and disadvantages. One disadvantage of a nasal cannula is possible abdominal distention and discomfort, which could lead to vomiting. The advantages include that the child is able to eat and drink more comfortably, there is no need for a high humidity environment, and there is no accumulation of moisture causing skin irritation.
During a funduscopic examination of a school-age child, the nurse notes a brilliant, uniform red reflex in both eyes. The nurse should recognize that this is which?
A normal finding A brilliant, uniform red reflex is an important normal finding. It rules out many serious defects of the cornea, aqueous chamber, lens, and vitreous chamber.
The clinic nurse is reviewing statistics on infant mortality for the United States versus other countries. Compared with other countries that have a population of at least 25 million, the nurse makes which determination? a. The United States is ranked last among 27 countries. b. The United States is ranked similar to 20 other developed countries. c. The United States is ranked in the middle of 20 other developed countries. d. The United States is ranked highest among 27 other industrialized countries.
ANS: A Although the death rate has decreased, the United States still ranks last in infant mortality among nations with a population of at least 25 million. The United States has the highest infant death rate of developed nations.
The nurse is describing clinical reasoning to a group of nursing students. Which is most descriptive of clinical reasoning? a. Purposeful and goal directed b. A simple developmental process c. Based on deliberate and irrational thought d. Assists individuals in guessing what is most appropriate
ANS: A Clinical reasoning is a complex developmental process based on rational and deliberate thought. When thinking is clear, precise, accurate, relevant, consistent, and fair, a logical connection develops between the elements of thought and the problem at hand.
Which is the leading cause of death in infants younger than 1 year in the United States? a. Congenital anomalies b. Sudden infant death syndrome c. Disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight d. Maternal complications specific to the perinatal period
ANS: A Congenital anomalies account for 20.1% of deaths in infants younger than 1 year compared with sudden infant death syndrome, which accounts for 8.2%; disorders related to short gestation and unspecified low birth weight, which account for 16.5%; and maternal complications such as infections specific to the perinatal period, which account for 6.1% of deaths in infants younger than 1 year of age.
The nurse is aware that which age group is at risk for childhood injury because of the cognitive characteristic of magical and egocentric thinking? a. Preschool b. Young school age c. Middle school age d. Adolescent
ANS: A Preschool children have the cognitive characteristic of magical and egocentric thinking, meaning they are unable to comprehend danger to self or others. Young and middle school-aged children have transitional cognitive processes, and they may attempt dangerous acts without detailed planning but recognize danger to themselves or others. Adolescents have formal operational cognitive processes and are preoccupied with abstract thinking
The nurse is planning a teaching session to adolescents about deaths by unintentional injuries. Which should the nurse include in the session with regard to deaths caused by injuries? a. More deaths occur in males. b. More deaths occur in females. c. The pattern of deaths does not vary according to age and sex. d. The pattern of deaths does not vary widely among different ethnic groups.
ANS: A The majority of deaths from unintentional injuries occur in males. The pattern of death does vary greatly among different ethnic groups, and the causes of unintentional deaths vary with age and gender.
The nurse is talking to a group of parents of school-age children at an after-school program about childhood health problems. Which statement should the nurse include in the teaching? a. Childhood obesity is the most common nutritional problem among children. b. Immunization rates are the same among children of different races and ethnicity. c. Dental caries is not a problem commonly seen in children since the introduction of fluoridated water. d. Mental health problems are typically not seen in school-age children but may be diagnosed in adolescents.
ANS: A When teaching parents of school-age children about childhood health problems, the nurse should include information about childhood obesity because it is the most common problem among children and is associated with type 2 diabetes. Teaching parents about ways to prevent obesity is important to include. Immunization rates differ depending on the child's race and ethnicity; dental caries continues to be a common chronic disease in childhood; and mental health problems are seen in children as young as school age, not just in adolescents.
The nurse is conducting a teaching session for parents on nutrition. Which characteristics of families should the nurse consider that can cause families to struggle in providing adequate nutrition? (Select all that apply.) a. Homelessness b. Lower income c. Migrant status d. Working parents e. Single parent status
ANS: A, B, C Families that struggle with lower incomes, homelessness, and migrant status generally lack the resources to provide their children with adequate food intake, nutritious foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, and appropriate protein intake. Working parents and single parent status do not mean the families will struggle to provide adequate nutrition.
Which actions by the nurse demonstrate overinvolvement with patients and their families? (Select all that apply.) a. Buying clothes for the patients b. Showing favoritism toward a patient c. Focusing on technical aspects of care d. Spending off-duty time with patients and families e. Asking questions if families are not participating in care
ANS: A, B, D Actions that show overinvolvement include buying clothes for patients, showing favoritism toward a patient, and spending off-duty time with patients and families. Focusing on technical aspects of care is an action that indicates underinvolvement, and asking questions if families are not participating in care indicates a positive action.
Which are included in the evaluation step of the nursing process? (Select all that apply.) a. Determination if the outcome has been met b. Ascertaining if the plan requires modification c. Establish priorities and selecting expected patient goals d. Selecting alternative interventions if the outcome has not been met e. Determining if a risk or actual dysfunctional health problem exists
ANS: A, B, D Evaluation is the last step in the nursing process. The nurse gathers, sorts, and analyzes data to determine whether (1) the established outcome has been met, (2) the nursing interventions were appropriate, (3) the plan requires modification, or (4) other alternatives should be considered. Establishing priorities and selecting expected patient goals are done in the outcomes identification stage. Determining if a risk or actual dysfunctional health problem exists is done in the diagnosis stage of the nursing process.
Which should the nurse teach to parents regarding oral health of children? (Select all that apply.) a. Fluoridated water should be used. b. Early childhood caries is a preventable disease. c. Dental caries is a rare chronic disease of childhood. d. Dental hygiene should begin with the first tooth eruption. e. Childhood caries does not happen until after 2 years of age.
ANS: A, B, D Oral health instructions to parents of children should include use of fluoridated water and dental hygiene beginning with the first tooth eruption. In addition, early childhood caries is a preventable disease and should be included in the teaching session. Dental caries is a common, not rare, chronic disease of childhood. Childhood caries may begin before the first birthday.
The nurse is reviewing the Healthy People 2020 leading health indicators for a child health promotion program. Which are included in the leading health indicators? (Select all that apply.) a. Decrease tobacco use. b. Improve immunization rates. c. Reduce incidences of cancer. d. Increase access to health care. e. Decrease the number of eating disorders.
ANS: A, B, D The Healthy People 2020 leading health indicators provide a framework for identifying essential components for child health promotion programs designed to prevent future health problems in our nation's children. Some of the leading health indicators include decreasing tobacco use, improving immunization rates, and increasing access to health care. Reducing the incidence of cancer and decreasing the number of eating disorders are not on the list as leading health indicators.
The nurse is preparing to complete documentation on a patient's chart. Which should be included in documentation of nursing care? (Select all that apply.) a. Reassessments b. Incident reports c. Initial assessments d. Nursing care provided e. Patient's response of care provided
ANS: A, C, D, E The patient's medical record should include: initial assessments, reassessments, nursing care provided, and the patient's response of care provided. Incident reports are not documented in the patient's chart.
Which responsibilities are included in the pediatric nurse's promotion of the health and well-being of children? (Select all that apply.) a. Promoting disease prevention b. Providing financial assistance c. Providing support and counseling d. Establishing lifelong friendships e. Establishing a therapeutic relationship f. Participating in ethical decision making
ANS: A, C, E, F The pediatric nurse's role includes promoting disease prevention, providing support and counseling, establishing a therapeutic relationship, and participating in ethical decision making; a pediatric nurse does not need to establish lifelong friendships or provide financial assistance to children and their families. Boundaries should be set and clear.
An adolescent patient wants to make decisions about treatment options, along with his parents. Which moral value is the nurse displaying when supporting the adolescent to make decisions? a. Justice b. Autonomy c. Beneficence d. Nonmaleficence
ANS: B Autonomy is the patient's right to be self-governing. The adolescent is trying to be autonomous, so the nurse is supporting this value. Justice is the concept of fairness. Beneficence is the obligation to promote the patient's well-being. Nonmaleficence is the obligation to minimize or prevent harm
The school nurse is assessing children for risk factors related to childhood injuries. Which child has the most risk factors related to childhood injury? a. Female, multiple siblings, stable home life b. Male, high activity level, stressful home life c. Male, even tempered, history of previous injuries d. Female, reacts negatively to new situations, no serious previous injuries
ANS: B Boys have a preponderance for injuries over girls because of a difference in behavioral characteristics, a high activity temperament is associated with risk-taking behaviors, and stress predisposes children to increased risk taking and self-destructive behaviors. Therefore, a male child with a high activity level and living in a stressful environment has the highest number of risk factors. A girl with several siblings and a stable home life is low risk. A boy with previous injuries has two risk factors, but an even temper is not a risk factor for injuries. A girl who reacts negatively to new situations but has no previous serious illnesses has only one risk factor.
Which situation denotes a nontherapeutic nurse-patient-family relationship? a. The nurse is planning to read a favorite fairy tale to a patient. b. During shift report, the nurse is criticizing parents for not visiting their child. c. The nurse is discussing with a fellow nurse the emotional draw to a certain patient. d. The nurse is working with a family to find ways to decrease the family's dependence on health care providers.
ANS: B Criticizing parents for not visiting in shift report is nontherapeutic and shows an underinvolvement with the parents. Reading a fairy tale is a therapeutic and age appropriate action. Discussing feelings of an emotional draw with a fellow nurse is therapeutic and shows a willingness to understand feelings. Working with parents to decrease dependence on health care providers is therapeutic and helps to empower the family
Evidence-based practice (EBP), a decision-making model, is best described as which? a. Using information in textbooks to guide care b. Combining knowledge with clinical experience and intuition c. Using a professional code of ethics as a means for decision making d. Gathering all evidence that applies to the child's health and family situation
ANS: B EBP helps focus on measurable outcomes; the use of demonstrated, effective interventions; and questioning what is the best approach. EBP involves decision making based on data, not all evidence on a particular situation, and involves the latest available data. Nurses can use textbooks to determine areas of concern and potential involvement.
The nurse is evaluating research studies according to the GRADE criteria and has determined the quality of evidence on the subject is moderate. Which type of evidence does this determination indicate? a. Strong evidence from unbiased observational studies b. Evidence from randomized clinical trials showed inconsistent results c. Consistent evidence from well-performed randomized clinical trials d. Evidence for at least one critical outcome from randomized clinical trials had serious flaws
ANS: B Evidence from randomized clinical trials with important limitations indicates that the evidence is of moderate quality. Strong evidence from unbiased observational studies and consistent evidence from well-performed randomized clinical trials indicates high quality. Evidence for at least one critical outcome from randomized clinical trials that has serious flaws indicates low quality.
What do mortality statistics describe? a. Disease occurring regularly within a geographic location b. The number of individuals who have died over a specific period c. The prevalence of specific illness in the population at a particular time d. Disease occurring in more than the number of expected cases in a community
ANS: B Mortality statistics refer to the number of individuals who have died over a specific period. Morbidity statistics show the prevalence of specific illness in the population at a particular time. Data regarding disease within a geographic region, or in greater than expected numbers in a community, may be extrapolated from analyzing the morbidity statistics
In addition to injuries, what are the leading causes of death in adolescents ages 15 to 19 years? a. Suicide and cancer b. Suicide and homicide c. Drowning and cancer d. Homicide and heart disease
ANS: B Suicide and homicide account for 16.7% of deaths in this age group. Suicide and cancer account for 10.9% of deaths, heart disease and cancer account for approximately 5.5%, and homicide and heart disease account for 10.9% of the deaths in this age group.
Which actions by the nurse demonstrate clinical reasoning? (Select all that apply.) a. Basing decisions on intuition b. Considering alternative action c. Using formal and informal thinking to gather data d. Giving deliberate thought to a patient's problem e. Developing an outcome focused on optimum patient care
ANS: B, C, D, E Clinical reasoning is a cognitive process that uses formal and informal thinking to gather and analyze patient data, evaluate the significance of the information, and consider alternative actions. Clinical reasoning is a complex developmental process based on rational and deliberate thought and developing an outcome focused on optimum patient care. Clinical reasoning is based on the scientific method of inquiry; it is not based solely on intuition.
The school nurse is explaining to older school children that obesity increases the risk for which disorders? (Select all that apply.) a. Asthma b. Hypertension c. Dyslipidemia d. Irritable bowel disease e. Altered glucose metabolism
ANS: B, C, E Overweight youth have increased risk for a cluster of cardiovascular factors that include hypertension, altered glucose metabolism, and dyslipidemia. Irritable bowel disease and asthma are not linked to obesity.
The nurse manager is compiling a report for a hospital committee on the quality of nursing-sensitive indicators for a nursing unit. Which does the nurse manager include in the report? a. The average age of the nurses on the unit b. The salary ranges for the nurses on the unit c. The education and certification of the nurses on the unit d. The number of nurses who have applied but were not hired for the unit
ANS: C Nursing-sensitive indicators reflect the structure, process, and outcomes of nursing care. For example, the number of nursing staff, the skill level of the nursing staff, and the education and certification of nursing staff indicate the structure of nursing care. The average age of the nurses, salary range, and number of nurses who have applied but were not hired for the unit are not nursing-sensitive indicators.
The nurse is planning care for a hospitalized preschool-aged child. Which should the nurse plan to ensure atraumatic care? a. Limit explanation of procedures because the child is preschool aged. b. Ask that all family members leave the room when performing procedures. c. Allow the child to choose the type of juice to drink with the administration of oral medications. d. Explain that EMLA cream cannot be used for the morning lab draw because there is not time for it to be effective.
ANS: C The overriding goal in providing atraumatic care is first, do no harm. Allowing the child a choice of juice to drink when taking oral medications provides the child with a sense of control. The preschool child should be prepared before procedures, so limiting explanations of procedures would increase anxiety. The family should be allowed to stay with the child during procedures, minimizing stress. Lidocaine/prilocaine (EMLA) cream is a topical local anesthetic. The nurse should plan to use the prescribed cream in time for morning laboratory draws to minimize pain.
The nurse is teaching parents about the types of behaviors children exhibit when living with chronic violence. Which statement made by the parents indicates further teaching is needed? a. "We should watch for aggressive play." b. "Our child may show lasting symptoms of stress." c. "We know that our child will show caring behaviors." d. "Our child may have difficulty concentrating in school."
ANS: C The statement that the child will show caring behaviors needs further teaching. Children living with chronic violence may exhibit behaviors such as difficulty concentrating in school, memory impairment, aggressive play, uncaring behaviors, and lasting symptoms of stress
Parents of a hospitalized toddler ask the nurse, "What is meant by family-centered care?" The nurse should respond with which statement? a. Family-centered care reduces the effect of cultural diversity on the family. b. Family-centered care encourages family dependence on the health care system. c. Family-centered care recognizes that the family is the constant in a child's life. d. Family-centered care avoids expecting families to be part of the decision-making process.
ANS: C The three key components of family-centered care are respect, collaboration, and support. Family-centered care recognizes the family as the constant in the child's life. The family should be enabled and empowered to work with the health care system and is expected to be part of the decision-making process. The nurse should also support the family's cultural diversity, not reduce its effect.
What is the major cause of death for children older than 1 year in the United States? a. Heart disease b. Childhood cancer c. Unintentional injuries d. Congenital anomalies
ANS: C Unintentional injuries (accidents) are the leading cause of death after age 1 year through adolescence. The leading cause of death for those younger than 1 year is congenital anomalies, and childhood cancers and heart disease cause a significantly lower percentage of deaths in children older than 1 year of age.
The school nurse is evaluating the number of school-age children classified as obese. The nurse recognizes that the percentile of body mass index that classifies a child as obese is greater than which? a. 50th percentile b. 75th percentile c. 80th percentile d. 95th percentile
ANS: D Obesity in children and adolescents is defined as a body mass index at or greater than the 95th percentile for youth of the same age and gender.
Which best describes signs and symptoms as part of a nursing diagnosis? a. Description of potential risk factors b. Identification of actual health problems c. Human response to state of illness or health d. Cues and clusters derived from patient assessment
ANS: D Signs and symptoms are the cues and clusters of defining characteristics that are derived from a patient assessment and indicate actual health problems. The first part of the nursing diagnosis is the problem statement, also known as the human response to the state of illness or health. The identification of actual health problems may be part of the medical diagnosis. The nursing diagnosis is based on the human response to these problems. The human response is therefore a component of the nursing diagnostic statement. Potential risk factors are used to identify nursing care needs to avoid the development of an actual health problem when a potential one exists.
The nurse should assess which age group for suicide ideation since suicide in which age group is the third leading cause of death? a. Preschoolers b. Young school age c. Middle school age d. Late school age and adolescents
ANS: D Suicide is the third leading cause of death in children ages 10 to 19 years; therefore, the age group should be late school age and adolescents. Suicide is not one of the leading causes of death for preschool and young or middle school-aged children.
What do the psychosocial developmental tasks of toddlerhood include?
Ability to delay gratification If the need for basic trust has been satisfied, then toddlers can give up dependence for control, independence, and autonomy. One of the tasks that toddlers are concerned with is the ability to delay gratification. Development of a conscience and recognition of sex differences occur during the preschool years. The ability to get along with age mates develops during the preschool and school-age years.
Which characteristic best describes the fine motor skills of an infant at age 5 months?
Able to grasp object voluntarily At age 5 months, the infant should be able to voluntarily grasp an object. The grasp reflex is present in the first 2 to 3 months of life. Gradually, the reflex becomes voluntary. The neat pincer grasp is not achieved until age 11 months. At age 12 months, an infant will attempt to build a tower of two cubes but will most likely be unsuccessful.
What is an important consideration in preventing injuries during middle childhood?
Achieving social acceptance is a primary objective School-age children often participate in dangerous activities in an attempt to prove themselves worthy of acceptance. The incidence of injury during middle childhood is significantly higher in boys compared with girls. Motor vehicle collisions are the most common cause of severe injuries in children. Children have increasing muscular coordination. Children who are risk takers may have inadequate self-regulatory behavior.
It is important that a child with acute streptococcal pharyngitis be treated with antibiotics to prevent which condition?
Acute rheumatic fever Group A hemolytic streptococcal infection is a brief illness with varying symptoms. It is essential that pharyngitis caused by this organism be treated with appropriate antibiotics to avoid the sequelae of acute rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis. The cause of otitis media is either viral or other bacterial organisms. DI is a disorder of the posterior pituitary. Infections such as meningitis or encephalitis, not streptococcal pharyngitis, can cause DI. Glomerulonephritis, not nephrotic syndrome, can result from acute streptococcal pharyngitis.
The nurse is planning care for a patient with a different ethnic background. Which should be an appropriate goal?
Adapt, as necessary, ethnic practices to health needs Whenever possible, nurses should facilitate the integration of ethnic practices into health care provision. The ethnic background is part of the individual; it should be difficult to eliminate the influence of ethnic background. The ethnic practices need to be evaluated within the context of the health care setting to determine whether they are conflicting.
The nurse is aware that skin turgor best estimates what?
Adequate hydration Skin turgor is one of the best estimates of adequate hydration and nutrition. It does not indicate amount of body fat and is not a test for anemia.
The nurse is caring for a child receiving a continuous intravenous (IV) low-dose infusion of morphine for severe postoperative pain. The nurse observes a slower respiratory rate, and the child cannot be aroused. The most appropriate management of this child is for the nurse to do which first?
Administer Naloxone (Narcan) The management of opioid-induced respiratory depression includes lowering the rate of infusion and stimulating the child. If the respiratory rate is depressed and the child cannot be aroused, then IV naloxone should be administered. The child will be in pain because of the reversal of the morphine. The morphine should be discontinued, but naloxone is indicated if the child is unresponsive.
An 18-month-old child is seen in the clinic with otitis media (OM). Oral amoxicillin is prescribed. What instructions should be given to the parent?
Administer all of the prescribed medication Antibiotics should be given for their full course to prevent recurrence of infection with resistant bacteria. Symptoms may subside before the full course is given. Hearing loss is a complication of OM; antibiotics should continue to be given. Medication may take 24 to 48 hours to make symptoms subside.
An infant has been diagnosed with staphylococcal pneumonia. Nursing care of the child with pneumonia includes which intervention?
Administration of antibiotics Antibiotics are indicated for bacterial pneumonia. Often the child has decreased pulmonary reserve, and clustering of care is essential. The child's respiratory rate and status and general disposition are monitored closely, but frequent complete physical assessments are not indicated. Antitussive agents are used sparingly. It is desirable for the child to cough up some of the secretions. Fluids are essential to kept secretions as liquefied as possible.
The school nurse is teaching a class on injury prevention. What should be included when discussing firearms?
Adolescence is the peak age for being a victim or offender in the case of injury involving a firearm. The increase in gun availability in the general population is linked to increased gun deaths among children, especially adolescents. Gun carrying among adolescents is on the rise and not limited to the stereotypic inner-city youth. Adolescents can be taught to safely use guns for hunting, but they must be stored properly and used only with supervision. Nonpowder guns (air rifles, BB guns) cause almost as many injuries as powder guns.
What is an important consideration for the school nurse planning a class on injury prevention for adolescents?
Adolescents need to discharge energy, often at the expense of logical thinking. The physical, sensory, and psychomotor development of adolescents provides a sense of strength and confidence. There is also an increase in energy coupled with risk taking that puts them at risk. Adolescents are risk takers because their feelings of indestructibility interfere with understanding of consequences. Sports can be a useful way for adolescents to discharge energy. Care must be taken to avoid overuse injuries.
What medication is considered to be the most useful in treating cardiac arrest?
Adrenaline (Epinephrine) Epinephrine is considered one of the most useful drugs in treating cardiac arrest. As an adrenergic agent, it acts on both α- and β-receptors in the heart. Epinephrine is rapidly cleared from the bloodstream. Bretylium is no longer used in pediatric cardiac arrest management. Lidocaine is used for ventricular arrhythmias only. Naloxone is useful only to reverse effects of opioids.
Parents ask the nurse for strategies to help their toddler adjust to a new baby. What should the nurse suggest?
Alert visitors to the new baby to include the toddler in the visit. Parents can minimize sibling rivalry by alerting visitors to the toddler's needs, having small presents on hand for the toddler, and including the child in the visits as much as possible. Time is a vague concept for toddlers. A good time to start talking about the new baby is when the toddler becomes aware of the pregnancy and the changes occurring in the home in anticipation of the new member. To avoid additional stresses when the newborn arrives, parents should perform anticipated changes, such as moving the toddler to a different room or bed, well in advance of the birth. Telling the toddler that a new playmate will come home soon sets up unrealistic expectations.
The parent of 16-month-old child asks, "What is the best way to keep my child from getting into our medicines at home?" What should the nurse advise?
All medicines should be locked securely away The major reason for poisoning in the home is improper storage. Toddlers can climb, unlatch cabinets, and obtain access to high-security places. For medications, only a locked cabinet is safe. Toddlers can climb using furniture. High places are not a deterrent to an exploring toddler. Toddlers are not able to generalize that all the different forms of medications in the home may be dangerous. Keeping medicines out of the homes of small children is not feasible because many parents require medications for chronic or acute illnesses. Parents must be taught safe storage for their home and when they visit other homes.
What test should the nurse do as a precautionary measure before doing an arterial puncture to obtain an arterial blood sample?
Allen test The Allen test determines the adequacy of collateral circulation in the extremity distal to the proposed puncture site. If the child does not have satisfactory circulation when the proposed artery is occluded, that extremity is not used. The Smith test, venipuncture, and a cold compress are not done before arterial blood gas sampling.
When the nurse interviews an adolescent, which is especially important?
Allow an opportunity to express feelings. Adolescents, like all children, need opportunities to express their feelings. Often they interject feelings into their words. The nurse must be alert to the words and feelings expressed. The nurse should maintain a professional relationship with adolescents. To avoid misunderstanding or misinterpretation of words and phrases used, the nurse should clarify the terms used, what information will be shared with other members of the health care team, and any limits to confidentiality. Although the peer group is important to this age group, the interview should focus on the adolescent.
A parent tells the nurse, "My toddler tries to undo the car seat harness and climb out of the seat." What strategies should the nurse recommend to the parent to encourage the child to stay in the seat? (Select all that apply.)
Allow your child to hold a favorite toy When child tries to unbuckle the seat harness, firmly say "no" It may be necessary to stop the car to reinforce the expected behavior Strategies to encourage a child to stay in a car seat include allowing the child to hold favorite toy, firmly saying "No" if the child begins to undo the harness, and stopping the car to reinforce the expected behavior. Rewards, such as stars or stickers, can be used to encourage cooperative behavior. The child should stay in the car seat at all times, even for short trips.
Which explains the importance of detecting strabismus in young children?
Amblyopia, a type of blindness, may result. By the age of 3 to 4 months, infants are able to fixate on one visual field with both eyes simultaneously. In strabismus, or cross-eye, one eye deviates from the point of fixation. If misalignment is constant, the weak eye becomes "lazy," and the brain eventually suppresses the image produced from that eye. If strabismus is not detected and corrected by age 4 to 6 years, blindness from disuse, known as amblyopia, may occur. Color vision is not the only concern. Epicanthal folds are not related to amblyopia. In children with strabismus, the corneal light reflex will not be symmetric for each eye.
When auscultating an infant's lungs, the nurse detects diminished breath sounds. What should the nurse interpret this as?
An abnormal finding warranting investigation Absent or diminished breath sounds are always an abnormal finding. Fluid, air, or solid masses in the pleural space all interfere with the conduction of breath sounds. Further data are necessary for diagnosis of chronic pulmonary disease or impending respiratory failure. Diminished breath sounds in certain segments of the lungs can alert the nurse to pulmonary areas that may benefit from chest physiotherapy. Further evaluation is needed in all age groups.
Respiratory failure can result from many causes. What condition is a specific primary cause of inefficient gas transfer?
Anemia Respiratory failure is defined as the inability of the respiratory system to maintain adequate oxygenation of the blood. In primary inefficient gas transfer, there is insufficient alveolar ventilation. Anemia, which is characterized by low hemoglobin levels, results in an inability to adequately oxygenate the blood. Pneumothorax and cystic fibrosis are examples of restrictive lung disease. Laryngospasm is an example of obstructive lung disease.
A toddler, age 16 months, falls down a few stairs. He gets up and "scolds" the stairs as if they caused him to fall. What is this an example of?
Animism Animism is the attribution of lifelike qualities to inanimate objects. By scolding the stairs, the toddler is attributing human characteristics to them. Ritualism is the need to maintain sameness and reliability. It provides a sense of comfort to toddlers. Irreversibility is the inability to reverse or undo actions initiated physically. The toddler is acting in an age-appropriate manner.
A school-age child has been a victim of bullying. What characteristics does the nurse assess for in this child? (Select all that apply.)
Anxiety Low self-esteem Psychosomatic complaints Victims of bullying are at increased risk for low self-esteem; anxiety; depression; feelings of insecurity and loneliness; poor academic performance; and psychosomatic complaints such as feeling tense, tired, or dizzy.
The nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment on a 10-year-old girl. The nurse gives her the option of her mother staying in the room or leaving. This action should be considered which?
Appropriate because of child's age It is appropriate to give older school-age children the option of having the parent present or not. During the examination, the nurse should respect the child's need for privacy. Children who are 10 years old are minors, and parents are responsible for health care decisions. The mother of a 10-year-old child would not be uncomfortable. The child should help determine who is present during the examination.
The nurse is taking a sexual history on an adolescent girl. Which is the best way to determine whether she is sexually active?
Ask her, "Are you having sex with anyone?" Asking the adolescent girl if she is having sex with anyone is a direct question that is well understood. The phrase sexually active is broadly defined and may not provide specific information for the nurse to provide necessary care. The word "anyone" is preferred to using gender-specific terms such as "boyfriend" or "girlfriend." Using gender-neutral terms is inclusive and conveys acceptance to the adolescent. Questioning about sexual activity should occur when the adolescent is alone.
The nurse is taking a health history of an adolescent. Which best describes how the chief complaint should be determined?
Ask the adolescent, "Why did you come here today?" The chief complaint is the specific reason for the child's visit to the clinic, office, or hospital. Because the adolescent is the focus of the history, this is an appropriate way to determine the chief complaint. Requesting a detailed list of symptoms makes it difficult to determine the chief complaint. The parent and adolescent may be interviewed separately, but the nurse should determine the reason the adolescent is seeking attention at this time. The chief complaint is usually written in the words that the parent or adolescent uses to describe the reason for seeking help.
The nurse is admitting a 7-year-old child to the pediatric unit for abdominal pain. To determine what the child understands about the reason for hospitalization, what should the nurse do?
Ask the child why he came to the hospital today. School-age children are able to answer questions. The only way for the nurse to know about the child's understanding of the reason for hospitalization is to ask the child directly. Finding out what the parents told the child and why they brought the child to the hospital or reading the admitting practitioner's description of the reason for admission will not provide information about what the child has heard and retained.
The nurse is teaching parents of a 3-year-old child about language developmental milestones. What milestones should the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)
Asks many questions Repeats sentence of 6 syllables Uses primarily "telegraphic" speech The language milestones of a 3-year-old child include asking many questions, repeating a sentence of six syllables, and using primarily "telegraphic" speech. Naming one or more colors and having a vocabulary of 1500 words or more footing are language milestones seen at the age of 4 years.
Which type of play is most typical of the preschool period?
Associative Associative play is group play in similar or identical activities but without rigid organization or rules. School-age children play in teams. Parallel play is that of toddlers. Solitary play is that of infants.
What condition is the leading cause of chronic illness in children?
Asthma Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood, the primary cause of school absences, and the third leading cause of hospitalization in children younger than the age of 15 years. Pertussis is not a chronic illness. Tuberculosis is not a significant factor in childhood chronic illness. Cystic fibrosis is the most common lethal genetic illness among white children.
A child has a chronic cough and diffuse wheezing during the expiratory phase of respiration. This suggests what condition?
Asthma Asthma may have these chronic signs and symptoms. Pneumonia appears with an acute onset, fever, and general malaise. Bronchiolitis is an acute condition caused by respiratory syncytial virus. Foreign body in the trachea occurs with acute respiratory distress or failure and maybe stridor.
What respiratory condition or disease results in both increased compliance and increased resistance?
Asthma Compliance is a measure of the relative ease with which the chest wall expands. Resistance is determined primarily by airway size. Asthma results in increased compliance and increased resistance, both of which increase the work of breathing. Atelectasis and surfactant deficiency both decrease compliance but do not affect resistance. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia increases resistance but does not affect compliance.
The nurse is developing a teaching pamphlet for parents of school-age children. What anticipatory guidelines should the nurse include in the pamphlet?
At age 12 years, parents should be certain that the child's sex education is adequate with accurate information. A 12-year-old child should have been introduced to sex education, and parents should be certain that the information is adequate and accurate and that the child is not embarrassed to talk about sexual feelings or other aspects of sex education. At age 6 years, a child does not need to be reading independently and usually still needs help with reading and enjoys being read to. At 8 years of age, parents should expect their child to show increased involvement with peers and outside activities and should encourage this behavior. A 10-year-old child exhibits increased feelings of admiration of parents, especially fathers, and parent-child activities should be encouraged.
Which is a complication that can occur after abdominal surgery if pain is not managed?
Atelectasis Pain associated with surgery in the abdominal region (e.g., appendectomy, cholecystectomy, splenectomy) may result in pulmonary complications. Pain leads to decreased muscle movement in the thorax and abdominal area and leads to decreased tidal volume, vital capacity, functional residual capacity, and alveolar ventilation. The patient is unable to cough and clear secretions, and the risk for complications such as pneumonia and atelectasis is high. Severe postoperative pain also results in sympathetic overactivity, which leads to increases in heart rate, peripheral resistance, blood pressure, and cardiac output. Hypoglycemia, decreases in heart rate, and increases in cardiac output are not complications of poor pain management.
What condition or disease decreases lung compliance?
Atelectasis Pneumothorax Pulmonary edema Atelectasis, pneumothorax, and pulmonary edema decrease lung compliance. Asthma and lobar emphysema increase lung compliance.
The nurse is planning strategies to assist a slow-to-warm child to try new experiences. What strategies should the nurse plan? (Select all that apply.)
Attend after-school activities with a friend Allow the child to adapt to the experience at his or hew own pace Contract for permission to withdraw after a trial of the experience The nurse should encourage slow-to-warm children to try new experiences but allow them to adapt to their surroundings at their own speed. Pressure to move quickly into new situations only strengthens their tendency to withdraw. After-school activities can be a cause for reaction, but attending with a friend or contracting for permission to withdraw after a trial of a specified number of times may provide them with sufficient incentive to try.
What are common causes of speech problems? (Select all that apply.)
Autism hearing loss Developmental delay Common causes of speech problems are hearing loss, developmental delay, autism, lack of environmental stimulation, and physical conditions that impede normal speech production. Prematurity and an overstimulated environment are not causes of speech problems.
If the need for basic trust has been satisfied, then toddlers can give up dependence for control, independence, and autonomy. One of the tasks that toddlers are concerned with is the ability to delay gratification. Development of a conscience and recognition of sex differences occur during the preschool years. The ability to get along with age mates develops during the preschool and school-age years.
Autonomy Autonomy versus shame and doubt is the developmental task of toddlers. Trust versus mistrust is the developmental stage of infancy. Initiative versus guilt is the developmental stage of early childhood. Intimacy and solidarity versus isolation is the developmental stage of early adulthood.
A 3-year-old child with a tracheostomy will soon be discharged. What recommendation should the nurse share with the family?
Avoid exposure to noxious fumes such as paint or varnish The child with a tracheostomy should not be exposed to noxious fumes such as paint, varnish, or hair spray or to substances such as talc. The parent and child must be cautioned about safety measures around bodies of water. Baths can be taken, but parents must observe the necessary safety precautions. The child may play outdoors with a scarf or other protection that allows air through.
An infant's parents ask the nurse about preventing otitis media (OM). What information should be provided?
Avoid tobacco smoke Eliminating tobacco smoke from the child's environment is essential for preventing OM and other common childhood illnesses. Nasal decongestants are not useful in preventing OM. Children with uncomplicated OM are not contagious unless they show other symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection. Children should be fed in a semivertical position to prevent OM.
What preventive measures should the nurse teach parents of toddlers to prevent early childhood caries? (Select all that apply.)
Avoid using a bottle as a pacifier Eliminate bedtime bottles completely Avoid coating pacifiers in a sweet substance Prevention of dental caries involves eliminating the bedtime bottle completely, feeding the last bottle before bedtime, substituting a bottle of water for milk or juice, not using the bottle as a pacifier, and never coating pacifiers in sweet substances. Juice in bottles, especially commercially available ready-to-use bottles, is discouraged; these beverages are especially damaging because the sugar is more readily converted to acid. Juice should always be offered in a cup to avoid prolonging the bottle-feeding habit. Toddlers should be encouraged to drink from a cup at the first birthday and weaned from a bottle by 14 months of age, not 18 months.
A child with cystic fibrosis (CF) receives aerosolized bronchodilator medication. When should this medication be administered?
Before chest physiotherapy (CPT) Bronchodilators should be given before CPT to open bronchi and make expectoration easier. These medications are not helpful when used after CPT. Oxygen is administered only in acute episodes, with caution, because of chronic carbon dioxide retention.
When is bronchial (postural) drainage generally performed?
Before meals and at bedtime The therapy should be done at bedtime and before meals or 1 to 1 1/2 hours after meals to avoid stomach upset. Postural drainage is most effective when it is performed after other respiratory therapy interventions, including bronchodilator and nebulizer treatments. Immediately on arising and at bedtime are appropriate times, but postural drainage is usually carried out at least three times each day. Thirty minutes after meals may induce vomiting.
Which is the most consistent and commonly used data for assessment of pain in infants?
Behavioral Behavioral assessment is useful for measuring pain in young children and preverbal children who do not have the language skills to communicate that they are in pain. Infants are not able to self-report. Physiologic measures are not able to distinguish between physical responses to pain and other forms of stress. Parental report without a structured tool may not accurately reflect the degree of discomfort.
What are characteristics of middle adolescence (15-17 years) with regard to relationships with peers? (Select all that apply.)
Behavorial standards set by peer group Acceptance of peers extremely important Exploration of ability to attract opposite sex Characteristics of middle adolescence relationships with peers include behavioral standards set by the peer group, acceptance of peers is extremely important, and exploration of the ability to attract opposite sex. Seeking peer affiliations to counter instability is a characteristic of early adolescence relationships with peers. Peer groups receding in importance in favor of individual friendships is characteristic of late adolescence relationships with peers.
What is most descriptive of the spiritual development of older adolescents?
Beliefs become more abstract Because of their abstract thinking abilities, adolescents are able to interpret analogies and symbols. Rituals, practices, and strict observance of religious customs become less important as adolescents question values and ideals of families. Adolescents question external manifestations when not supported by adherence to supportive behaviors.
Parents bring their 15-month-old infant to the emergency department at 3:00 AM because the toddler has a temperature of 39° C (102.2° F), is crying inconsolably, and is tugging at the ears. A diagnosis of otitis media (OM) is made. In addition to antibiotic therapy, the nurse practitioner should instruct the parents to use what medication?
Benzocaine ear drops for topical pain relief Analgesic ear drops can provide topical relief for the intense pain of OM. Decongestants and antihistamines are not recommended in the treatment of OM. Aspirin is contraindicated in young children because of the association with Reye syndrome.
Which type of family should the nurse recognize when a mother, her children, and a stepfather live together?
Blended
What statement accurately describes physical development during the school-age years?
Boys and girls double strength and physical capabilities Boys and girls double both strength and physical capabilities. Their consistent refinement in coordination increases their poise and skill. In middle childhood, growth in height and weight occurs at a slower pace. Between the ages of 6 and 12 years, children grow 5 cm/yr and gain 3 kg/yr. Their weight will almost double. Although the strength increases, muscles are still functionally immature when compared with those of adolescents. This age group is more easily injured by overuse. Children take on a slimmer look with longer legs in middle childhood.
The nurse is preparing to admit a 7-year-old child with acute laryngotracheobronchitis (LTB). What clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to observe? (Select all that apply.)
Brassy cough Low-grade fever Slowly progressive Clinical manifestations of LTB include a brassy cough, low-grade fever, and slow progression. Dysphagia and a toxic appearance are characteristics of acute epiglottitis.
In girls, what is the initial indication of puberty?
Breast development In most girls, the initial indication of puberty is the appearance of breast buds, an event known as thelarche. The usual sequence of secondary sexual characteristic development in girls is breast changes, a rapid increase in height and weight, growth of pubic hair, appearance of axillary hair, menstruation (menarche), and abrupt deceleration of linear growth.
The nurse is assessing the Tanner stage in an adolescent female. The nurse recognizes that the stages are based on which?
Breast size and the shape and distribution of pubic hair In females, the Tanner stages describe pubertal development based on breast size and the shape and distribution of pubic hair. The stages of vaginal changes, progression of menstrual cycles to regularity, and the development of fat deposits occur during puberty but are not used for the Tanner stages.
The nurse is teaching parents of a 4-year-old child about fine motor developmental milestones. What milestones should the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)
Builds a tower of 9 or 10 cubes Builds a bridge with three cubes Adeptly places small pellets in a narrow-necked bottle The fine motor milestones of a 4-year-old child include building a tower of nine or 10 cubes, building a bridge with three cubes, and adeptly placing small pellets in a narrow-necked bottle. Lacing shoes and using scissors successfully are fine motor milestones seen at the age of 5 years.
It is important to make certain that sensory connectors and oximeters are compatible because incompatible wiring can cause which condition?
Burns under sensors Incompatible wiring can generate considerable heat at the tip of the sensor, resulting in partial- and full-thickness burns. Heat may be generated at the site of the sensor, but it will not result in generalized hyperthermia. Electrocution is not a possibility with oximeters. Pressure necrosis can occur from improperly applied sensors but not from incompatible wiring.
A child is in uncompensated respiratory alkalosis. What should the nurse expect the arterial blood gas to be?
CO2 = 30 pH = 7.50 Laboratory findings in respiratory alkalosis include reduced PCO2 (<35?9?mm?9?Hg) and elevated plasma pH (>7.45).
The nurse is conducting an assessment of fine motor development in a 3-year-old child. Which is the expected drawing skill for this age?
Can copy a circle and imitate a cross A 3-year-old child copies a circle and imitates a cross and vertical and horizontal lines. He or she holds the writing instrument with the fingers rather than the fist. A 3-year-old is not able to draw a complete stick figure but draws a circle, later adds facial features, and by age 5 or 6 years can draw several parts (head, arms, legs, body, and facial features). Copying a triangle and diamond are mastered sometime between ages 5 and 6 years.
What growth and development milestones are expected between the ages of 8 and 9 years? (Select all that apply.)
Can help with routine household tasks Likes the reward system for accomplished tasks Goes about home and community freely, alone or with friends Children between the age of 8 and 9 years accomplish many growth and development milestones, including helping with routine household tasks, liking the reward system when a task is accomplished well, and going out with friends or alone more independently and freely. Using the telephone for practical reasons, choosing friends more selectively, and finding enjoyment in family with new-found respect for parents are tasks accomplished between the ages of 10 and 12 years.
Parents of an adolescent ask the school nurse, "It is OK for our adolescent to get a job?" The nurse should answer telling the parents the effects of adolescents who work more than 20 hours a week are what? (Select all that apply.)
Can lead to fatigue Can lead to poorer grades Can reduce extracurricular involvement Detrimental effects are likely for adolescents who work more than 20 hours a week. Greater involvement in work can lead to fatigue, decreased interest in school, reduced extracurricular involvement, and poorer grades. Involvement in work may take time away from other activities that could contribute to identity development. Adolescent work as it exists today may negatively affect development.
What aspects of cognition develop during adolescence?
Capability of using a future time perspective Adolescents are no longer restricted to the real and actual. They also are concerned with the possible; they think beyond the present. During concrete operations (between ages 7 and 11 years), children exhibit thought processes that enable them to see things from the point of view of another, place things in a sensible and logical order, and progress from making judgments based on what they see to making judgments based on what they reason.
A child receiving chemotherapy is experiencing mucositis. Which prescriptions should the nurse plan to administer for initial treatment? (Select all that apply.)
Carafate suspension (Sucralfate) Nustatin oral suspension (Nustatin) Lidocaine viscous Initial treatment of stomatitis includes single agents (sucralfate suspension, nystatin, and viscous lidocaine). Scope and Listerine are plaque and gingivitis control mouth rinses that would have a drying effect and are not used with mucositis.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is begun on a toddler. What pulse is usually palpated because it is the most central and accessible?
Carotid In a toddler, the carotid pulse is palpated. The radial pulse is not considered a central pulse. The femoral pulse is not the most central and accessible. Brachial pulse is felt in infants younger than 1 year of age.
The parents of 9-year-old twin children tell the nurse, "They have filled up their bedroom with collections of rocks, shells, stamps, and bird nests." The nurse should recognize that this is which?
Characteristic of cognitive development at this age Classification skills involve the ability to group objects according to the attributes they have in common. School-age children can place things in a sensible and logical order, group and sort, and hold a concept in their mind while they make decisions based on that concept. Individuals who are not twins engage in classification at this age. Psychosocial behavior at this age is described according to Erikson's stage of industry versus inferiority.
What consideration is most important in managing tuberculosis (TB) in children?
Chemotherapy Drug therapy for TB includes isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide daily for 2 months and isoniazid and rifampin given two or three times a week by direct observation therapy for the remaining 4 months. Chemotherapy is the most important intervention for TB.
Which is the single most important factor to consider when communicating with children?
Child's developmental level The nurse must be aware of the child's developmental stage to engage in effective communication. The use of both verbal and nonverbal communication should be appropriate to the developmental level. Nonverbal behaviors vary in importance based on the child's developmental level and physical condition. Although the child's physical condition is a consideration, developmental level is much more important. The presence of parents is important when communicating with young children but may be detrimental when speaking with adolescents.
What is descriptive of the social development of school-age children?
Children frequently have "best friends" Identification with peers is a strong influence in children's gaining independence from parents. Interaction among peers leads to the formation of close friendships with same-sex peers—"best friends." Daily relationships with age mates in the school setting provide important social interactions for school-age children. During the later school years, groups are composed predominantly of children of the same sex. Conforming to the rules of the peer group provides children with a sense of security and relieves them of the responsibility of making decisions.
A spinal tap must be done on a 9-year-old boy. While he is waiting in the treatment room, the nurse observes that he seems composed. When the nurse asks him if he wants his mother to stay with him, he says, "I am fine." How should the nurse interpret this situation?
Children in this age group often do not request support even though they need and want it. The school-age child's visible composure, calmness, and acceptance often mask an inner longing for support. Children of this age have a more passive approach to pain and an indirect request for support. It is especially important to be aware of nonverbal cues such as facial expression, silence, and lack of activity. Usually when someone identifies the unspoken messages, the child will readily accept support.
The nurse is explaining the preconventional stage of moral development to a group of nursing students. What characterizes this stage?
Children in this stage have little, if any, concern for why something is wrong. Young children's development of moral judgment is at the most basic level in the preconventional stage. They have little, if any, concern for why something is wrong. Following the rules, living up to social expectations, and having a concrete sense of justice and fairness are characteristics in the conventional stage.
The nurse is preparing a staff education program about pediatric asthma. What concepts should the nurse include when discussing the asthma severity classification system? (Select all that apply.)
Children with mild persistent asthma have signs or symptoms more than two times per week. Children with moderate persistent asthma have some limitations with normal activity. Children with severe persistent asthma have frequent nighttime signs or symptoms. Children with mild persistent asthma have signs or symptoms more than two times per week and nighttime signs or symptoms three or four times per month. Children with moderate persistent asthma have some limitations with normal activity and need to use a short-acting β-agonist for sign or symptom control daily. Children with severe persistent asthma have frequent nighttime signs or symptoms and have a PEF of less than 60%.
The nurse is teaching a group of new nursing graduates about identifiable qualities of strong families that help them function effectively. Which quality should be included in the teaching?
Clear set of family values, rules, and beliefs A clear set of family rules, values, and beliefs that establish expectations about acceptable and desired behavior is one of the qualities of strong families that help them function effectively. Strong families have a sense of congruence among family members regarding the value and importance of assigning time and energy to meet needs. Varied coping strategies are used by strong families. The sense of commitment is toward the growth and well-being of individual family members, as well as the family unit.
A tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy is contraindicated in what conditions? (Select all that apply.)
Cleft palate Blood dyscrasias Acute infection at the time of surgery Contraindications to either tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy are (1) cleft palate because both tonsils help minimize escape of air during speech, (2) acute infections at the time of surgery because the locally inflamed tissues increase the risk of bleeding, and (3) uncontrolled systemic diseases or blood dyscrasias. Tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy is not contraindicated in sickle cell disease or seizure disorders.
What statement best represents infectious mononucleosis?
Clinical signs and symptoms and blood tests are both needed to establish the diagnosis. The characteristics of the disease—malaise, sore throat, lymphadenopathy, central nervous system manifestations, and skin lesions—are similar to presenting signs and symptoms in other diseases. Hematologic analysis (heterophil antibody and monospot) can help confirm the diagnosis. However, not all young children develop the expected laboratory findings. Herpes-like Epstein-Barr virus is the principal cause. Usually, an increase in lymphocytes is observed. Penicillin, not ampicillin, is indicated. Ampicillin is linked with a discrete macular eruption in infectious mononucleosis.
What medication is contraindicated in children post tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy?
Codeine Codeine is contraindicated in pediatric patients after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. In 2012, the Food and Drug Administration issued a Drug Safety Communication that codeine use in certain children after tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy may lead to rare but life-threatening adverse events or death. Zofran, amoxicillin, and Tylenol are not contraindicated after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.
A 4-year-old boy is hospitalized with a serious bacterial infection. He tells the nurse that he is sick because he was "bad." What is the nurse's best interpretation of this comment?
Common at this age Preschoolers cannot understand the cause and effect of illness. Their egocentrism makes them think they are directly responsible for events, making them feel guilt for things outside of their control. Children of this age react to stress by regressing developmentally or acting out. Maladaptation is unlikely. This comment does not imply excessive discipline at home.
The nurse is caring for a non-English-speaking child and family. Which should the nurse consider when using an interpreter?
Communicate directly with family members when asking questions. When using an interpreter, the nurse should communicate directly with family members when asking questions to reinforce interest in them and to observe nonverbal expressions. Questions should be posed one at a time to elicit only one answer at a time. Medical jargon should be avoided whenever possible. The nurse should avoid discussing the family's needs with the interpreter in English because some family members may understand some English.
The nurse is assessing a child with croup in the emergency department. The child has a sore throat and is drooling. Examining the child's throat using a tongue depressor might precipitate what condition?
Complete obstruction If a child has acute epiglottitis, examination of the throat may cause complete obstruction and should be performed only when immediate intubation can take place. Sore throat and pain on swallowing are early signs of epiglottitis. Stridor is aggravated when a child with epiglottitis is supine. Epiglottitis is caused by Haemophilus influenzae in the respiratory tract.
What is true concerning the development of autonomy during adolescence?
Conformity to both parents and peers gradually declines toward the end of adolescence. During middle and late adolescence, the conformity to parents and peers declines. Subjective feelings of self-reliance increase steadily over the adolescent years. Adolescents have genuine behavioral autonomy. Rebellion is not typically part of adolescence. It can occur in response to excessively controlling circumstances or to growing up in the absence of clear standards. Parent and peer relationships can play complementary roles in the development of a healthy degree of individual independence.
What is a significant common side effect that occurs with opioid administration?
Constipation Constipation is one of the most common side effects of opioid administration. Preventive strategies should be implemented to minimize this problem. Sedation is a more common result than euphoria. Urinary retention, not diuresis, may occur with opiates. Rarely, some individuals may have pruritus.
An infant with bronchiolitis is hospitalized. The causative organism is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The nurse knows that a child infected with this virus requires what type of isolation?
Contact precautions RSV is transmitted through droplets. In addition to Standard Precautions and hand washing, Contact Precautions are required. Caregivers must use gloves and gowns when entering the room. Care is taken not to touch their own eyes or mucous membranes with a contaminated gloved hand. Children are placed in a private room or in a room with other children with RSV infections. Reverse isolation focuses on keeping bacteria away from the infant. With RSV, other children need to be protected from exposure to the virus. The virus is not airborne.
A 6-year-old child has had a tonsillectomy. The child is spitting up small amounts of dark brown blood in the immediate postoperative period. The nurse should take what action?
Continue to assess for bleeding Some secretions, particularly dried blood from surgery, are common after a tonsillectomy. Inspect all secretions and vomitus for evidence of fresh bleeding (some blood-tinged mucus is expected). Dark brown (old) blood is usually present in the emesis, as well as in the nose and between the teeth. Small amounts of dark brown blood should be further monitored. A red-flavored ice pop should not be given and the Trendelenburg position is not recommended.
What interventions can the nurse teach parents to do to ease respiratory efforts for a child with a mild respiratory tract infection? (Select all that apply.)
Cool mist Warm mist Steam vaporizer Run a shower of hot water to produce steam Warm or cool mist is a common therapeutic measure for symptomatic relief of respiratory discomfort. The moisture soothes inflamed membranes and is beneficial when there is hoarseness or laryngeal involvement. A time-honored method of producing steam is the shower. Running a shower of hot water into the empty bathtub or open shower stall with the bathroom door closed produces a quick source of steam. Keeping a child in this environment for 10 to 15 minutes may help ease respiratory efforts. A small child can sit on the lap of a parent or other adult. The child should be quiet but upright, not flat. The use of steam vaporizers in the home is often discouraged because of the hazards related to their use and limited evidence to support their efficacy.
What intervention is necessary when weaning a child from the ventilator?
Cool mist begun immediately after extubation A cool mist or noninvasive oxygen therapy is initiated immediately after extubation. Steroids may be administered to minimize any laryngeal edema. Analgesics may be given, but sedation is not usually indicated. The child is suctioned just before extubation to ensure that the airway is clear. Chest physiotherapy and suctioning are performed before extubation.
In terms of fine motor development, what should the 3-year-old child be expected to do?
Copy (draw) a circle Three-year-old children are able to accomplish the fine motor skill of copying (drawing) a circle. The ability to tie shoelaces, to use scissors or a pencil very well, and to draw a person with seven to nine parts are fine motor skills of 5-year-old children.
The nurse is preparing to admit a 3-year-old child with acute spasmodic laryngitis. What clinical features of hepatitis B should the nurse recognize? (Select all that apply.)
Croupy cough Tendency to recur Occurs sudden, often at night Clinical features of acute spasmodic laryngitis include a croupy cough, a tendency to recur, and occurring sudden, often at night. High fever is a feature of acute epiglottitis and purulent secretions are seen with acute tracheitis.
The nurse is presenting a staff development program about understanding culture in the health care encounter. Which components should the nurse include in the program? (Select all that apply.)
Cultural humility Cultural sensitivity Cultural competency There are several different ways health care providers can best attend to all the different facets that make up an individual's culture. Cultural competence tends to promote building information about a specific culture. Cultural sensitivity, a second way of understanding culture in the context of the clinical encounter, may be understood as a way of using one's knowledge, consideration, understanding, respect, and tailoring after realizing awareness of self and others and encountering a diverse group or individual. Cultural humility, the third component, is a commitment and active engagement in a lifelong process that individuals enter into for an ongoing basis with patients, communities, colleagues, and themselves. Cultural research is not a component of understanding culture in the health care encounter.
The nurse discovers welts on the back of a Vietnamese child during a home health visit. The child's mother says she has rubbed the edge of a coin on her child's oiled skin. The nurse should recognize this as what?
Cultural practice to rid the body of disease This is descriptive of coining. The welts are created by repeatedly rubbing a coin on the child's oiled skin. The mother is attempting to rid the child's body of disease. Coining is a cultural healing practice. Coining is not specific for enuresis or temper tantrums. This is not child abuse or discipline.
What are sources of stress in preschoolers? (Select all that apply.)
Damages or destroys objects May fear dogs or other animals Seems to be in perpetual motion May stutter or stumble over words Sources of stress in preschoolers include damaging or destroying objects, fearing dogs or other animals, in perpetual motion, and may stutter or stumble over words. Guarding possessions, not sharing, is a source of stress.
The school nurse recognizes that children respond to stress by using which tactics? (Select all that apply.)
Delinquency Daydreaming Delaying tactics Children respond to stress by using coping mechanisms that include internalizing symptoms such as withdrawal, delaying tactics, and daydreaming, along with externalizing symptoms such as aggression and delinquency.
Characteristics of bullies include what? (Select all that apply.)
Depressed Poor academic performance Exposed to domestic violence Children who are bullies are likely to be male, depressed, have poor academic performance, be exposed to domestic violence, have poor peer relationships, and have poor communication with their parents.
The nurse is discussing with a parent group the importance of fluoride for healthy teeth. What should the nurse recommend?
Determine whether the water supply is fluoridated The decision about fluoride supplementation cannot be made until it is known whether the water supply contains fluoride and the amount. It is difficult to teach toddlers to spit out mouthwash. Swallowing fluoridated mouthwashes can contribute to fluorosis. Fluoride supplementation is not recommended until after age 6 months and then only if the water is not fluoridated. Fluoridated toothpaste is still indicated if the fluoride content of the water supply is adequate, but very small amounts are used.
Which family theory is described as a series of tasks for the family throughout its life span?
Developmental theory In developmental systems theory, the family is described as a small group, a semiclosed system of personalities that interact with the larger cultural system. Changes do not occur in one part of the family without changes in others. Exchange theory assumes that humans, families, and groups seek rewarding statuses so that rewards are maximized while costs are minimized. Structural-functional theory states that the family performs at least one societal function while also meeting family needs. Symbolic interactional theory describes the family as a unit of interacting persons with each occupying a position within the family.
The nurse is preparing to admit a 7-year-old child with pulmonary edema. What clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to observe? (Select all that apply.)
Diaphoresis Pink frothy sputum Respiratory crackles Clinical manifestations of pulmonary edema include diaphoresis, pink frothy sputum, and respiratory crackles. Fever or bradycardia are not manifestations of pulmonary edema.
In providing nourishment for a child with cystic fibrosis (CF), what factors should the nurse keep in mind?
Diet should be high in calories, proteins, and unrestricted fats Children with CF require a well-balanced, high-protein, high-caloric diet, with unrestricted fat (because of the impaired intestinal absorption).
The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 6-month-old on preventing an accidental poisoning injury. Which should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
Discard used containers of poisonous substances Keep cosmetic and personal products out of the child's reach Make sure that paint for furniture or toys does not contain lead Anticipatory guidance for a 7-month-old infant to prevent a suffocation injury takes into account that the infant will become more active and eventually crawl, cruise, and walk. Used containers of poisonous substances should be discarded, cosmetic and personal products should be kept out of the child's reach, and paint for furniture or toys should be lead free. Plants should be hung out of reach or placed on a high shelf. Medications should be locked, not just placed in a cupboard.
Parents are worried that their preschool-aged child is showing hyperaggressive behavior. What are signs of hyperaggresive behavior? (Select all that apply.)
Disrespect Noncompliance Unprovoked physical attacks on other children Hyperaggressive behavior in preschoolers is characterized by unprovoked physical attacks on other children and adults, destruction of others' property, frequent intense temper tantrums, extreme impulsivity, disrespect, and noncompliance.
Which describe the feelings and behaviors of adolescents related to divorce? (Select all that apply.)
Disturbed concept of sexuality May withdraw from family and friends Worry about themselves, parents, or siblings Expression of anger, sadness, shame, or embarrassment Feelings and behaviors of adolescents related to divorce include a disturbed concept of sexuality; withdrawing from family and friends; worrying about themselves, parents, and siblings; and expressions of anger, sadness, shame, and embarrassment. Engaging in fantasy to seek understanding of the divorce is a reaction by a child who has preconceptual cognitive processes, not the formal thinking processes adolescents have
The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 1-month-old infant on preventing a suffocation injury. Which should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
Do not place pillows in the infant's crib Keep all plastic bags stored out of the infant's reach A pacifier should not be tied on a string around the infant's neck Anticipatory guidance for a 1-month-old infant to prevent a suffocation injury takes into account that the infant will have increased eye-hand coordination and a voluntary grasp reflex as well as a crawling reflex that may propel the infant forward or backward. Pillows should not be placed in the infant's crib, plastic bags should be kept out of reach, and a pacifier should not be tied on a string around the neck. Crib slats should be 2.4 inches apart (4 inches is too wide), and the mattress should not be covered with plastic even if a sheet is used to cover it.
The mother of a 6-month-old infant has returned to work and is expressing breast milk to be frozen. She asks for directions on how to safely thaw the breast milk in the microwave. What should the nurse recommend?
Do not thaw or heat breast milk in a microwave oven Using a microwave oven to thaw or heat breast milk decreases the anti-infective properties of the breast milk, lowers the vitamin C content, and changes the fat content. Breast milk should be thawed overnight in a refrigerator or in a warm water bath. A microwave should not be used. If steam is created, the milk is too hot. The bottle should be inverted several times after defrosting or warming.
Decongestant nose drops are recommended for a 10-month-old infant with an upper respiratory tract infection. Instructions for nose drops should include which information?
Do not use for more than 3 days Vasoconstrictive nose drops such as Neo-Synephrine should not be used for more than 3 days to avoid rebound congestion. Drops should be discarded after one illness and not used for other children because they may become contaminated with bacteria. Drops administered before feedings are more helpful. Two drops are administered to cause vasoconstriction in the anterior mucous membranes. An additional two drops are instilled 5 to 10 minutes later for the posterior mucous membranes. No further doses should be given.
During an otoscopic examination on an infant, in which direction is the pinna pulled?
Down and back In infants and toddlers, the ear canal is curved upward. To visualize the ear canal, it is necessary to pull the pinna down and back to the 6 to 9 o'clock range to straighten the canal. In children older than age 3 years and adults, the canal curves downward and forward. The pinna is pulled up and back to the 10 o'clock position. Up and forward and down and forward are positions that do not facilitate visualization of the ear canal.
An infant, age 6 months, has six teeth. The nurse should recognize that this is what?
Earlier than expected tooth eruption Six months is earlier than expected to have six teeth. At age 6 months, most infants have two teeth. Although unusual, having six teeth at 6 months is not dangerous.
The nurse is preparing a staff education program about growth and development of an 18-month-old toddler. Which characteristics should the nurse include in the staff education program? (Select all that apply.)
Eats well with a spoon and cup Runs clumsily and can walk up stairs Points to common objects Builds a tower of three or four blocks Tasks accomplished by an 18-month-old toddler include eating well with a spoon and cup, running clumsily, walking up stairs, pointing to common objects such as shoes, and building a tower with three or four blocks. An 18-month-old toddler has a vocabulary of only 10 words, not 300. Toddlers cannot dress themselves in simple clothing until 24 months of age.
What do nursing interventions to promote health during middle childhood include?
Educate parents about the need for good dental hygiene because these are the years in which permanent teeth erupt. The permanent teeth erupt during the school-age years. Good dental hygiene and regular attention to dental caries are vital parts of health supervision during this period. Caloric needs are decreased in relation to body size for this age group. Balanced nutrition is essential to promote growth. Questions about sex should be addressed honestly as the child asks questions. The child usually no longer needs a nap, but most require approximately 11 hours of sleep each night at age 5 years and 9 hours at age 12 years.
A 3-year-old is brought to the emergency department with symptoms of stridor, fever, restlessness, and drooling. No coughing is observed. Based on these findings, the nurse should be prepared to assist with what action?
Emergency intubation Three clinical observations that are predictive of epiglottitis are absence of spontaneous cough, presence of drooling, and agitation. Nasotracheal intubation or tracheostomy is usually considered for a child with epiglottitis with severe respiratory distress. The throat should not be inspected because airway obstruction can occur, and steroids would not be done first when the child is in severe respiratory distress.
The school nurse is providing guidance to families of children who are entering elementary school. What is essential information to include?
Encourage growth of a sense of responsibility in children By being responsible for school work, children learn to keep promises, meet deadlines, and succeed in their jobs as adults. Parents should meet with the teachers at the beginning of the school year, for scheduled conferences, and whenever information about the child or parental concerns needs to be shared. Tutoring should be provided only in special circumstances in elementary school, such as in response to prolonged absence. The parent should not dictate the study time but should establish guidelines to ensure that homework is done.
A preschool child has asthma, and a goal is to extend expiratory time and increase expiratory effectiveness. What action should the nurse implement to meet this goal?
Encourage the child to blow a pinwheel every 6 hours while awake. Play techniques that can be used for younger children to extend their expiratory time and increase expiratory pressure include blowing cotton balls or a ping-pong ball on a table, blowing a pinwheel, blowing bubbles, or preventing a tissue from falling by blowing it against the wall. Increased fluids, increased use of a Pulmicort inhaler, or suppressing a cough will not increase expiratory effectiveness.
What guidelines should the nurse use when interviewing adolescents? (Select all that apply.)
Ensure privacy Use open-ended questions Begin with less sensitive issues and proceed to more sensitive ones Guidelines for interviewing adolescents include ensuring privacy, using open-ended questions, and beginning with less sensitive issues and proceeding to more sensitive ones. The nurse should not share thoughts but maintain objectivity and should avoid assumptions, judgments, and lectures. It may not be possible for all interactions to be confidential. Limits of confidentiality include a legal duty to report physical or sexual abuse and to get others involved if an adolescent is suicidal.
The nurse is talking to the parent of a 5-year-old child who refuses to go to sleep at night. What intervention should the nurse suggest in helping the parent to cope with this sleep disturbance?
Establish limited rituals that signal readiness for bedtime An appropriate intervention for a child who resists going to bed is to establish limited rituals such as a bath or story that signal readiness for bed and consistently follow through with the ritual. Punishing the child will not alleviate the resistance problem and may only add to the frustration. Allowing the child to fall asleep in a different room and to watch television to fall asleep are not recommended approaches to sleep resistance.
Which term best describes the sharing of common characteristics that differentiates one group from other groups in a society?
Ethnicity Ethnicity is a classification aimed at grouping individuals who consider themselves, or are considered by others, to share common characteristics that differentiate them from the other collectivities in a society, and from which they develop their distinctive cultural behavior. Race is a term that groups together people by their outward physical appearance. Culture is a pattern of assumptions, beliefs, and practices that unconsciously frames or guides the outlook and decisions of a group of people. A culture is composed of individuals who share a set of values, beliefs, and practices that serve as a frame of reference for individual perception and judgments. Superiority is the state or quality of being superior; it does not apply to ethnicity.
The nurse is aware that if patients' different cultures are implied to be inferior, the emotional attitude the nurse is displaying is what?
Ethnocentrism Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's way of living and behaving is the best way. This includes the emotional attitude that the values, beliefs, and perceptions of one's ethnic group are superior to those of others. Acculturation is the gradual changes that are produced in a culture by the influence of another culture that cause one or both cultures to become more similar. The minority culture is forced to learn the majority culture to survive. Cultural shock is the helpless feeling and state of disorientation felt by an outsider attempting to adapt to a different culture group. Cultural sensitivity, a component of culturally competent care, is an awareness of cultural similarities and differences.
The nurse is reviewing factors that affect lung development. What factor delays surfactant production and maturation of alveolar cells?
Excess of endogenous insulin An excess of endogenous insulin can delay surfactant production and delays maturation of alveolar cells. Glucocorticosteroids, thyroxine, and prolactin enhance lung development.
An 8-year-old girl asks the nurse how the blood pressure apparatus works. The most appropriate nursing action is which?
Explain in simple terms how it works School-age children require explanations and reasons for everything. They are interested in the functional aspect of all procedures, objects, and activities. It is appropriate for the nurse to explain how equipment works and what will happen to the child so that the child can then observe during the procedure. The nurse should respond positively for requests for information about procedures and health information. By not responding, the nurse may be limiting communication with the child. The child is not exhibiting anxiety in asking how the blood pressure apparatus works, just requesting clarification of what will occur.
Which type of family should the nurse recognize when the paternal grandmother, the parents, and two minor children live together?
Extended
Which are components of the FLACC scale? (Select all that apply.)
Facial expression Leg Position Actvity Cry Consolability Facial expression, consolability, cry, activity, and leg position are components of the FLACC scale. Color is a component of the Apgar scoring system. Capillary refill time is a physiologic measure that is not a component of the FLACC scale.
The school nurse understands that children are impacted by divorce. Which has the most impact on the positive outcome of a divorce?
Family characteristics Family characteristics are more crucial to the child's well-being during a divorce than specific child characteristics, such as age or sex. High levels of ongoing family conflict are related to problems of social development, emotional stability, and cognitive skills for the child.
Which family theory explains how families react to stressful events and suggests factors that promote adaptation to these events?
Family stress theory Family stress theory explains the reaction of families to stressful events. In addition, the theory helps suggest factors that promote adaptation to the stress. Stressors, both positive and negative, are cumulative and affect the family. Adaptation requires a change in family structure or interaction. Interactional theory is not a family theory. Interactions are the basis of general systems theory. Erikson's theory applies to individual growth and development, not families. Developmental systems theory is an outgrowth of Duvall's theory. The family is described as a small group, a semiclosed system of personalities that interact with the larger cultural system. Changes do not occur in one part of the family without changes in others.
The nurse is planning to counsel family members as a group to assess the family's group dynamics. Which theoretic family model is the nurse using as a framework?
Family systems theory In family systems theory, the family is viewed as a system that continually interacts with its members and the environment. The emphasis is on the interaction between the members; a change in one family member creates a change in other members, which in turn results in a new change in the original member. Assessing the family's group dynamics is an example of using this theory as a framework. Family stress theory explains how families react to stressful events and suggests factors that promote adaptation to stress. Developmental theory addresses family change over time using Duvall's family life cycle stages based on the predictable changes in the family's structure, function, and roles, with the age of the oldest child as the marker for stage transition. Feminist theories assume that privilege and power are inequitably distributed based upon gender, race, and class.
The nurse is planning to bring a preschool child a toy from the playroom. What toy is appropriate for this age group?
Farm animals and equipment The most characteristic and pervasive preschooler activity is imitative, imaginative, and dramatic play. Farm animals and equipment would provide hours of self-expression. Building blocks are appropriate for older infants and toddlers. A 500-piece puzzle or a paint by number picture would be appropriate for a school-age child.
The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of an 8-month-old infant on preventing a drowning injury. Which should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
Fence swimming pools Eliminate unnecessary pools of water Keep one hand on the child while in the tub Supervise the child when near any source of water Anticipatory guidance to prevent drowning for an 8-month-old infant takes into account that the child will begin to crawl, cruise around furniture, walk, and climb. Fences should be placed around swimming pools, unnecessary pools of water should be eliminated, one hand should be kept on the child when bathing, and the child should be supervised when near any source of water. The bathroom doors should be kept closed.
The clinic nurse is teaching parents about physiologic anemia that occurs in infants. What statement should the nurse include about the cause of physiologic anemia?
Fetal hemoglobin results in a shortened survival of red blood cells. Fetal hemoglobin results in a shortened survival of red blood cells (RBCs) and thus a decreased number of RBCs. Maternally derived iron stores are present for the first 5 to 6 months results in a shortened survival of RBCs and thus a decreased number of RBCs. High levels of fetal hemoglobin depress the production of erythropoietin, a hormone released by the kidney that stimulates RBC production.
A 5-year-old child is admitted with bacterial pneumonia. What signs and symptoms should the nurse expect to assess with this disease process?
Fever, cough, and chest pain Children with bacterial pneumonia usually appear ill. Symptoms include fever, malaise, rapid and shallow respirations, cough, and chest pain. Ear infection, nasal discharge, and eye infection are not symptoms of bacterial pneumonia.
What should the nurse suggest to parents of preschoolers about sensitive questions regarding sex?
Find out what your child knows or thinks Two rules govern answering sensitive questions about topics such as sex. The first is to find out what children know and think. By investigating the theories children have produced as a reasonable explanation, parents can not only give correct information but also help children understand why their explanation is inaccurate. Another reason for ascertaining what the child thinks before offering any information is to avoid giving an "unasked for" answer. The child should not be distracted from the topic. If parents offer too much information, the child will simply become bored or end the conversation with an irrelevant question. What matters is that parents are approachable and do not dismiss their child's inquiries.
The nurse is evaluating arterial blood gas results. What condition can cause an increase in HCO3?
Fluid loss from upper GI tract Fluid loss from an upper gastrointestinal tract causes an increase in HCO3. Renal failure, lactic acidosis, and diabetic ketoacidosis cause a decrease in HCO3.
The mother of a 3-month-old breastfed infant asks about giving her baby water because it is summer and very warm. What should the nurse tell her?
Fluids in addition to breast milk are not needed. Infants who are breastfed or bottle fed do not need additional water during the first 4 months of life. Excessive intake of water can create problems such as water intoxication, hyponatremia, or failure to thrive. Juices provide empty calories for infants.
Because children younger than 5 years are egocentric, the nurse should do which when communicating with them?
Focus communication on the child Because children of this age are able to see things only in terms of themselves, the best approach is to focus communication directly on them. Children should be provided with information about what they can do and how they will feel. With children who are egocentric, analogies, experiences, and assurances that communication is private will not be effective because the child is not capable of understanding.
What are characteristics of dating relationships in early adolescence? (Select all that apply.)
Follow ritualized "scripts" Involve playing stereotypic roles Participating in mixed-gender group activities Early dating relationships typically follow highly ritualized "scripts" in which adolescents are more likely to play stereotypic roles than to really be themselves. Participating in mixed-gender group activities, such as going to parties or other events, may have a positive impact on young teenagers' well-being. One-on-one dating during early adolescence, however, with a lot of time spent alone, may lead to sexual intimacy before a teen is ready. Although teenagers may begin dating during early adolescence, these early dating relationships are not usually psychosocially intimate.
A toddler has a unilateral foul-smelling nasal discharge and frequent sneezing. The nurse should suspect what condition?
Foreign body in the nose The irritation of a foreign body in the nose produces local mucosal swelling with foul-smelling nasal discharge, local obstruction with sneezing, and mild discomfort. Allergies would produce clear bilateral nasal discharge. Nasal discharge is usually not associated with pharyngitis. Acute nasopharyngitis would have bilateral mucous discharge.
According to Piaget, adolescents tend to be in what stage of cognitive development?
Formal operational thought Cognitive thinking culminates in the capacity for abstract thinking. This stage, the period of formal operations, is Piaget's fourth and last stage. Concrete operations usually occur between ages 7 and 11 years. Conventional and postconventional thought refers to Kohlberg's stages of moral development.
A foster parent is talking to the nurse about the health care needs for the child who has been placed in the parent's care. Which statement best describes the health care needs of foster children?
Foster children tend to have a higher than normal incidence of acute and chronic health problems. Children who are placed in foster care have a higher incidence of acute and chronic health problems and may experience feelings of isolation and confusion; therefore, they should be monitored closely. Foster children do not always come from abusive households and may or may not be emotionally fragile; not all foster children are born prematurely or require technically advanced health care; and foster children may stay in the home for extended periods, so their health care needs require attention.
The nurse is performing an assessment on a 12-month-old infant. Which fine or gross motor developmental skill demonstrates the proximodistal acquisition of skills?
Fully developed pincer grasp Acquisition of fine and gross motor skills occurs in an orderly center-to-periphery (proximodistal) or head-to-toe (cephalocaudal) sequence. A fully developed pincer grasp is an example of the proximodistal development because infants use a palmar grasp before developing the finer pincer grasp. Standing, sitting without assistance, and taking a few steps are examples of a cephalocaudal development sequence.
A cancer patient is experiencing neuropathic cancer pain. Which prescription should the nurse expect to be ordered to control anxiety?
Gabapentin (Neurontin) Anticonvulsants (gabapentin, carbamazepine) have demonstrated effectiveness in neuropathic cancer pain. Ativan is an antianxiety agent, and Dilaudid and MS Contin are opioid analgesics.
A toddler is in the sensorimotor, tertiary circular reactions stage of cognitive development. What behavior should the nurse expect to assess? (Select all that apply.)
Gestures "up" and "down" Able to insert round object into a hole Can find hidden objects but only in the first location Children in the sensorimotor, tertiary circular reactions stage of cognitive development show the behaviors of gesturing "up" and "down," have the ability to insert round objects into a hole, and can find hidden objects but only in the first location. The behaviors of referring to oneself by pronoun and using future-oriented words such as "tomorrow" are seen in the preoperational stage of cognitive development.
Parents tell the nurse that their toddler eats little at mealtime, only sits at the table with the family briefly, and wants snacks "all the time." What should the nurse recommend?
Give her nutritious snacks. Most toddlers exhibit a physiologic anorexia in response to the decreased nutritional requirements associated with the slower growth rate. Parents should assist the child in developing healthy eating habits. Toddlers are often unable to sit through a meal. Frequent nutritious snacks are a good way to ensure proper nutrition. To help with developing healthy eating habits, food should be not be used as positive or negative reinforcement for behavior. The child may develop habits of overeating or eat non-nutritious foods in response. A toddler is not able to understand explanations of what is expected of her and comply with the expectations.
What information should be given to the parents of a 12-month-old child regarding appropriate play activities for this age?
Give large push-pull toys for kinetic stimulation. A 12-month-old child is able to pull to a stand and walk holding on or independently. Appropriate toys for this age child include large push-pull toys for kinetic stimulation. A cradle gym should not be placed across the crib. Finger paints are appropriate for older children. A 12-month-old child does not have the stability to use a stick horse.
Girls experience an increase in weight and fat deposition during puberty. What do nursing considerations related to this include?
Give reassurance that these changes are normal. A certain amount of fat is increased along with lean body mass to fill the characteristic contours of the adolescent's gender. A healthy balance must be achieved between expected healthy weight gain and obesity. Suggesting dietary measures or increased exercise to control weight gain would not be recommended unless weight gain was excessive because eating disorders can develop in this group. Some fat deposition is essential for normal hormonal regulation. Menarche is delayed in girls with body fat contents that are too low.
Which intervention is the most appropriate recommendation for relief of teething pain?
Give the infant a frozen teething ring to relieve inflammation. Teething pain is a result of inflammation, and cold is soothing. A frozen teething ring or ice cube wrapped in a washcloth helps relieve the inflammation. Aspirin is contraindicated secondary to the risks of aspiration. Hydrogen peroxide does not have an anti-inflammatory effect. Warmth increases inflammation.
The nurse is assessing a 20-month-old toddler during a well-child visit and notices tooth decay. The nurse should understand that early childhood caries are caused by what?
Giving the child a bottle of juice or milk at nap time One cause of early childhood caries is allowing the child to go to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice; as the sweet liquid pools in the mouth, the teeth are bathed for several hours in this cariogenic environment. Eating citrus fruit at bedtime and poor fluoride supply in drinking water do not cause early childhood caries. The problem is not hereditary and can be prevented with proper education.
A quantitative sweat chloride test has been done on an 8-month-old child. What value should be indicative of cystic fibrosis (CF)?
Greater than 60 mEq/L Normally sweat chloride content is less than 40 mEq/L, with a mean of 18 mEq/L. A chloride concentration greater than 60 mEq/L is diagnostic of CF; in infants younger than 3 months, a sweat chloride concentration greater than 40 mEq/L is highly suggestive of CF.
A child is in uncompensated metabolic acidosis. What should the nurse expect the arterial blood gas to be?
HCO3 = 20 pH = 7.30 Laboratory findings of uncompensated metabolic acidosis include lowered plasma pH (<7.35) and diminished plasma bicarbonate concentration (normal HCO3 is 22-26).
A child is in uncompensated metabolic alkalosis. What should the nurse expect the arterial blood gas to be?
HCO3 = 28 pH = 7.50 Metabolic alkalosis results in an elevated plasma pH (normal pH is 7.35-7.45) that occurs when there is an excess of bicarbonate (normal HCO3 is 22-26).
At a well-child visit, parents ask the nurse how to know if a daycare facility is a good choice for their infant. Which observation should the nurse stress as especially important to consider when making the selection?
Handwashing by providers after diaper changes Health practices should be most important. With the need for diaper changes and assistance with feeding, young children are at increased risk when handwashing and other hygienic measures are not consistently used. Developmentally appropriate toys are important, but hygiene and the prevention of disease transmission take precedence. An infant should not have snacks. This is a concern for an older child. Certified caregivers for each age group may be an indicator of a high-quality facility, but parental observation of good hygiene is a better predictor of care.
The continuous administration of mist, or aerosolized water, for the treatment of inflammatory conditions of the airways is a common practice that functions in which manner?
Has no proven benefit Aerosol therapy or mist therapy with water is not a treatment of choice for inflammatory airway conditions. Some questionable benefit may occur in mild viral croup. The parent and child may experience a reduction in anxiety in a cool, humid environment. Upper airway secretions may be moistened; however, inhaled mist does not affect the viscosity of mucus. Humidity may worsen bronchospasm. Aerosolized medications are able to reduce inflammation of the lower airways, but water does not have this effect.
Superficial palpation of the abdomen is often perceived by the child as tickling. Which measure by the nurse is most likely to minimize this sensation and promote relaxation?
Have the child "help" with palpation by placing his or her hand over the palpating hand. Having the child "help" with palpation by placing his or her hand over the palpating hand will help minimize the feeling of tickling and enlist the child's cooperation. Palpating another area simultaneously will create the sensation of tickling in the other area also. Asking the child not to laugh or move will bring attention to the tickling and make it more difficult for the child. Superficial palpation is done before deep palpation.
What is an important consideration for the school nurse who is planning a class on bicycle safety?
Head injuries are the major causes of bicycle-related fatalities. The most important aspect of bicycle safety is to encourage the rider to use a protective helmet. Head injuries are the major cause of bicycle-related fatalities. Although motor vehicle collisions do cause injuries to bicyclists, most injuries result from falls. The child should always wear a properly fitted helmet approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Children should not ride double unless it is a tandem bike (built for two).
The nurse is caring for a child in respiratory distress. What is an early but less obvious sign of respiratory failure?
Headache An early but less obvious sign of respiratory failure is a headache. Stupor, bradycardia, and somnolence are signs of more severe hypoxia.
The parents of a 3-year-old admitted for recurrent diarrhea are upset that the practitioner has not told them what is going on with their child. What is the priority intervention for this family?
Help the family develop a written list of specific questions to ask the practitioner. Often families ask general questions of health care providers and do not receive the information they need. The nurse should determine what information the family does want and then help develop a list of questions. When the questions are written, the family can remember which questions to ask or can hand the sheet to the practitioner for answers. The nurse may have the information the parents want, but they are asking for specific information from the practitioner. Unless it is an emergency, the nurse should not place a stat page for the practitioner. Being present is not necessarily the issue but rather the ability to get answers to specific questions.
Parents of a preschool child tell the nurse, "Our child seems to have many imaginary fears." What suggestion should the nurse give to the parents to help their child resolve the fears?
Help your child to resolve the fears through play activities Preschoolers are able to work through many of their unresolved fears, fantasies, and anxieties through play, especially if guided with appropriate play objects (e.g., dolls or puppets) that represent family members, health professionals, and other children. The fears should not be ignored because they may escalate. Preschoolers are not cognitively prepared for explanations about the fears. They gain security and comfort from familiar objects such as toys, dolls, or photographs of family members, so new toys should not be introduced.
An adolescent asks the nurse about the "safety of getting a tattoo." The nurse explains to the adolescent that it is important to find a qualified operator using proper sterile technique because an unsterilized needle or contaminated tattoo ink can cause what? (Select all that apply.)
Hepatitis C virus Hepatitis B virus HIV Mycobacterium chelonae skin infections Using the same unsterilized needle to tattoo body parts of multiple teenagers presents the same risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus transmission as occurs with other needle-sharing activities. Contaminated tattoo ink can cause nontuberculous M. chelonae skin infections. The hepatitis E virus is transmitted via the fecal-oral route, principally via contaminated water, not by contaminated needles.
Where in the health history does a record of immunizations belong?
History The history contains information relating to all previous aspects of the child's health status. The immunizations are appropriately included in the history. The present illness, review of systems, and physical assessment are not appropriate places to record the immunization status.
The nurse is interviewing the mother of an infant. The mother reports, "I had a difficult delivery, and my baby was born prematurely." This information should be recorded under which heading?
History The history refers to information that relates to previous aspects of the child's health, not to the current problem. The difficult delivery and prematurity are important parts of the infant's history. The history of the present illness is a narrative of the chief complaint from its earliest onset through its progression to the present. Unless the chief complaint is directly related to the prematurity, this information is not included in the history of the present illness. The chief complaint is the specific reason for the child's visit to the clinic, office, or hospital. It should not include the birth information. The review of systems is a specific review of each body system. It does not include the premature birth but might include sequelae such as pulmonary dysfunction.
The parents of a 12-month-old child ask the nurse if the child can eat hot dogs as do their other children. The nurse's reply should be based on what?
Hot dogs must be cut into small, irregular pieces to prevent aspiration To eat a hot dog safely, the child should be sitting down, and the hot dog should be cut into small, irregular pieces rather than served whole or in slices. The child's digestive system is mature enough to digest hot dogs. Hot dogs are of a consistency, diameter, and shape that may cause complete obstruction of the child's airway if not cut into irregular, small pieces.
What conditions can produce hyperventilation?
Hysteria Salicylate intoxication Mechanical ventilation Hysteria, salicylate intoxication, and mechanical ventilation can produce hyperventilation. Narcotics and atelectasis produce inadequate gas exchange, not hyperventilation.
The nurse is assessing a child's functional self-care level for feeding, bathing and hygiene, dressing, and grooming and toileting. The child requires assistance or supervision from another person and equipment or device. What code does the nurse assign for this child?
III A code of III indicates the child requires assistance from another person and equipment or device. A code of I indicates use of equipment or device. A code of II indicates assistance or supervision from another person. A code of IV indicates the child is totally dependent.
What signals the resolution of the Oedipus or Electra complex?
Identifies with the same-sex parent The resolution of the Oedipus or Electra complex is identification with the same-sex parent. Learning sex differences and sexually appropriate behavior is a goal in further differentiation of oneself but does not signal the resolution of the Oedipus or Electra complex. Guilt over feelings toward the father or mother is seen as a stage in the complex, not the resolution.
According to Erikson, the psychosocial task of adolescence is developing what?
Identity Traditional psychosocial theory holds that the developmental crises of adolescence lead to the formation of a sense of identity. Intimacy is the developmental stage for early adulthood. Independence is not one of Erikson's developmental stages.
The parents of a 2-year-old child tell the nurse they are concerned because the toddler has started to use "baby talk" since the arrival of their new baby. What should the nurse recommend?
Ignore the baby talk Baby talk is a sign of regression in the toddler. Often toddlers attempt to cope with a stressful situation by reverting to patterns of behavior that were successful in earlier stages of development. It should be ignored while the parents praise the child for developmentally appropriate behaviors. Regression is children's way of expressing stress. The parents should not introduce new expectations and allow the child to master the developmental tasks without criticism.
Parents ask the nurse, "How should we deal with our toddler's regression since our new baby has come home?" The nurse should give the parents which response?
Ignore the behavior and praise appropriate behavior When regression does occur, the best approach is to ignore it while praising existing patterns of appropriate behavior. It is advisable not to introduce new areas of learning when an additional crisis is present or expected, such as beginning toilet training shortly before a sibling is born or during a brief hospitalization. Time-out should not be used as a punishment, and the toddler does not have the cognitive ability to understand an explanation that the behavior is not acceptable.
The nurse is evaluating a 7-month-old infant's cognitive development. Which behaviors should the nurse anticipate evaluating? (Select all that apply.)
Imitates sounds Shows interest in a mirror image Attracts attention by methods other than crying A 7-month-old infant is in the secondary circular reactions (4-8 months) stage of cognitive development. Behaviors in this stage include imitating sounds, showing interest in a mirror image, and attracting attention by methods other than crying. Comprehending simple commands and actively searching for a hidden object are behaviors seen in the coordination of secondary schemas (9-12 months).
How does the onset of the pubertal growth spurt compare in girls and boys?
In girls, it occurs about 1 year before it appears in boys. The average age of onset is 9 1/2 years for girls and 10 1/2 years for boys. Although pubertal growth spurts may occur in girls 3 years before it appears in boys on an individual basis, the average difference is 1 year. Usually girls begin their pubertal growth spurt earlier than boys.
Parents are switching their toddler, who has met the weight requirement, from a rear-facing car seat to a forward-facing seat. The nurse should recommend the parents place the seat where in the car?
In the middle of the rear seat Children 0 to 3 years of age riding properly restrained in the middle of the backseat have a 43% lower risk of injury than children riding in the outboard (window) seat during a crash.
The mother of a toddler yells to the nurse, "Help! He is choking to death on his food!" The nurse determines that lifesaving measures are necessary based on which finding?
Inability to speak The inability to speak is indicative of a foreign body airway obstruction of the larynx. Abdominal thrusts are needed for treatment of the choking child. Gagging, not obstruction, indicates irritation at the back of the throat. Coughing does not indicate a complete airway obstruction. Tachycardia may be present for many reasons.
What is a characteristic of a toddler's language development at age 18 months?
Increasing level of understanding During the second year of life, the understanding and understanding of speech increase to a level far greater than the child's vocabulary. This is also true for bilingual children, who are able to achieve this linguistic milestone in both languages. An 18-month-old child has a vocabulary of approximately 10 words. At this age, the child does not use the one-word sentences that are characteristic of 1-year-old children. The child has a very limited vocabulary of single words that are comprehensible.
The nurse is preparing to assess a 10-month-old infant. He is sitting on his father's lap and appears to be afraid of the nurse and of what might happen next. Which initial actions by the nurse should be most appropriate?
Initiate a game of peek-a-boo Peek-a-boo is an excellent means of initiating communication with infants while maintaining a safe, nonthreatening distance. The child will most likely become upset if separated from his father. As much of the assessment as possible should be done with the child on the father's lap. The nurse should have the father undress the child as needed during the examination.
What is the leading cause of death during the toddler period?
Injuries Injuries are the most common cause of death in children ages 1 through 4 years. It is the highest rate of death from injuries of any childhood age group except adolescence. Congenital disorders are the second leading cause of death in this age group. Infectious and childhood diseases are less common causes of death in this age group.
Examination of the abdomen is performed correctly by the nurse in which order?
Inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation The correct order of abdominal examination is inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation. Palpation is always performed last because it may distort the normal abdominal sounds. Auscultation is performed before percussion. The act of percussion can influence the findings on auscultation.
What are characteristics of late adolescence (18-20 years) with regard to sexuality? (Select all that apply.)
Intimacy involves commitment Growing capacity for mutuality and reciprocity May publicly identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual Characteristics of late adolescence sexuality include intimacy involving commitment; growing capacity for mutuality and reciprocity; and publicly identifying as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Exploration of "self-appeal" is a characteristic of middle adolescence sexuality. Limited dating, usually group, is a characteristic of early adolescence sexuality.
The nurse is seeing an adolescent and the parents in the clinic for the first time. Which should the nurse do first?
Introduce himself or herself The first thing that nurses must do is to introduce themselves to the patient and family. Parents and other adults should be addressed with appropriate titles unless they specify a preferred name. Clarification of the purpose of the interview and the nurse's role is the second thing that should be done. During the initial part of the interview, the nurse should include general conversation to help make the family feel at ease. The interview also should take place in an environment as free of distraction as possible. In addition, the nurse should clarify which information will be shared with other members of the health care team and any limits to the confidentiality.
A term infant is delivered, and before delivery, the medical team was notified that a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) was diagnosed on ultrasonography. What should be done immediately at birth if respiratory distress is noted?
Intubate the infant Many infants with a CDH require immediate respiratory assistance, which includes endotracheal intubation and GI decompression with a double-lumen catheter to prevent further respiratory compromise. At birth, bag and mask ventilation is contraindicated to prevent air from entering the stomach and especially the intestines, further compromising pulmonary function. Oxygen and suctioning may be used for mild respiratory distress.
A child is diagnosed with active pulmonary tuberculosis. What medications does the nurse anticipate to be prescribed for the first 2 months? (Select all that apply.)
Isoniazid (INH) Rifampin (Rifadin) Pyrazinamide (PZA) Ethambutol (Myambutol) For the child with clinically active pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB, the goal is to achieve sterilization of the tuberculous lesion. The American Academy of Pediatrics (2012) recommends a 6-month regimen consisting of INH, rifampin, ethambutol, and PZA given daily or twice weekly for the first 2 months followed by INH and rifampin given two or three times a week by DOT for the remaining 4 months (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). Cefuroxime is not part of the regimen.
A parent taking a preschool child to school on the first day asks the nurse, "What do I do if my child wants me to stay?" What is an appropriate response by the nurse?
It is OK to stay part of the first day, but be inconspicuous On the first day of preschool, in some instances, it is helpful for parents to remain for at least part of the first day until the child is comfortable. If parents stay, they should be available to the child but inconspicuous. It would not be appropriate not to stay, to have someone else take the child to school, or to stay and participate in activities.
The nurse is teaching a group of parents at a community education program about introducing solid foods to their infants. Which recommendations should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
It is best to introduce a wide variety of foods during the first year. As solid food consumption increases, the quantity of milk should decrease. Introduction of citrus fruits, meats, and eggs should be delayed until after 6 months of age. Each new food item should be introduced at 5- to 7-day intervals. Teaching related to feeding an infant solid foods should include introducing a wide variety of foods because an infant has not developed a strong food preference as seen with a toddler. As solid food consumption increases, the amount of milk consumed should decrease to less than 1 L/day to prevent overfeeding. Introduction to citrus fruits, meats, and eggs should be delayed until after 6 months of age because of the potential to cause food allergies. New foods should be introduced at 5- to 7-day intervals to evaluate for food allergies. Spoon feedings should be introduced after a small ingestion of milk, not at the end of a milk feeding, to associate the activity with pleasure. In general, low-calorie milk and food should be avoided.
A 16-year-old adolescent boy tells the school nurse that he is gay. The nurse's response should be based on what?
It is important to provide a nonthreatening environment in which he can discuss this. The nurse needs to be open and nonjudgmental in interactions with adolescents. This will provide a safe environment in which to provide appropriate health care. Adolescence is when sexual identity develops. The nurse's own beliefs should not bias the interaction with this student. Homosexual adolescents face very different challenges as they grow up because of society's response to homosexuality.
The parent of a 4-year-old boy tells the nurse that the child believes "monsters and bogeymen" are in his bedroom at night. What is the nurse's best suggestion for coping with this problem?
Keep a night light on in the child's bedroom Involve the child in problem solving. A night light shows a child that imaginary creatures do not lurk in the darkness. Letting the child sleep with his parents will not get rid of the fears. A 4-year-old child is in the preconceptual stage and cannot understand logical thought.
The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 4-month-old infant on preventing an aspiration injury. What should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
Keep baby powder out of reach Inspect toys for removable parts The infant should not be fed hard candy, nuts, or foods with pits Anticipatory guidance to prevent aspiration for a 4-month-old infant takes into account that the infant will begin to be more active and place objects in the mouth. Toys should be checked for removable parts; baby powder should be kept out of reach; and hard candy, nuts, and foods with pits should be avoided. The infant should not go to bed with a bottle. Teething biscuits should be used with caution because large chunks may be broken off and aspirated.
An infant, age 5 months, is brought to the clinic by his parents for a well-baby checkup. What is the best advice that the nurse should include at this time about injury prevention?
Keep buttons, beads, and other small objects out of his reach Aspiration of foreign objects is a great risk at this age. Parents are instructed to keep small objects out of the infant's reach. At this age, the child is not mobile enough to reach window sills. If window sills have cracked or chipped paint, it needs to be removed before he is a toddler. This child should already be rolling over. This information is reinforced but should have been taught earlier. Pulling to a stand occurs between 8 and 12 months of age.
What is descriptive of the play of school-age children?
Knowing the rules of a game gives an important sense of belonging. Play involves increased physical skill, intellectual ability, and fantasy. Children form groups and cliques and develop a sense of belonging to a team or club. At this age, children begin to see the need for rules. Conformity and ritual permeate their play. Their games have fixed and unvarying rules, which may be bizarre and extraordinarily rigid. With team play, children learn about competition and the importance of winning, an attribute highly valued in the United States but not in all cultures.
The nurse is checking reflexes on a 7-month-old infant. When the infant is suspended in a horizontal prone position, the head is raised and the legs and spine are extended. Which reflex is this?
Landau When the infant is suspended in a horizontal prone position, the head is raised and the legs and spine are extended; this describes the Landau reflex. It appears at 6 to 8 months and persists until 12 to 24 months. The parachute reflex occurs when the infant is suspended in a horizontal prone position and suddenly thrust downward; the infant extends the hands and fingers forward as if to protect against falling. This appears at age 7 to 9 months and lasts indefinitely. Body righting occurs when turning the hips and shoulders to one side causes all other body parts to follow. It appears at 6 months of age and persists until 24 to 36 months. The labyrinth-righting reflex appears at 2 months and is strongest at 10 months. This reflex involves holding infants in the prone or supine position. They are able to raise their heads.
The parents of a 4-month-old infant tell the nurse that they are getting a microwave oven and will be able to heat the baby's formula faster. What should the nurse recommend?
Leave the bottle top uncovered to allow heat to escape If a microwave is being used, the bottle should be left uncovered. This will allow heat to escape. No more than 4 oz should be heated at any one time. Bottles can be heated safely in microwave ovens if safety guidelines are followed. The bottle should be inverted 10 times; vigorous shaking is not necessary.
A school-age child has begun to sleepwalk. What does the nurse advise the parents to perform?
Leave the child alone unless he or she is in danger of harming him- or herself or others Sleepwalking is usually self-limiting and requires no treatment. The child usually moves about restlessly and then returns to bed. Usually the actions are repetitive and clumsy. The child should not be awakened unless in danger. If there is a need to awaken the child, it should be done by calling the child's name to gradually bring to a state of alertness. Some children, who are usually well behaved and tend to repress feelings, may sleepwalk because of strong emotions. These children usually respond to relaxation techniques before bedtime. If a child is overly fatigued, sleepwalking can increase.
A 6-year-old child is admitted to the pediatric unit and requires bed rest. Having art supplies available meets which purpose?
Lets the child express thoughts and feelings through pictures rather than words The art supplies allow the child to draw images that come into the mind. This can help the child develop symbols and then verbalize reactions to illness and hospitalization. The child can make gifts and drawings for parents, but the goal is to allow expression of feelings. Although art is developmentally and situationally appropriate, the child benefits by being able to express feelings nonverbally. The art supplies are not therapeutic play but a mechanism for expressive play. The child will not work on past problems.
The nurse is performing an oral examination on a preschool child. Which strategies should the nurse use to encourage the child to open the mouth for the examination? (Select all that apply.)
Lightly brush the palate with a cotton swab Perform the exam in front of a mirror Let the child examine someone else's mouth first have the child breathe deeply and hold his/her breath To encourage a child to open the mouth for examination, the nurse can lightly brush the palate with a cotton swab, perform the examination in front of a mirror, let the child examine someone else's mouth first, and have the child breathe deeply and hold his or her breath. A tongue blade may elicit the gag reflex and should not be used.
A burn patient is experiencing anxiety over dressing changes. Which prescription should the nurse expect to be ordered to control anxiety?
Lorazepam (Ativan) A benzodiazepine such as lorazepam is prescribed as an antianxiety agent. Oxycodone, fentanyl, and morphine sulfate are opioid analgesics.
What is characteristic of dishonest behavior in children ages 8 to 10 years?
Lying is used to meet expectations set by others that they have been unable to attain. Older school-age children may lie to meet expectations set by others to which they have been unable to measure up. Cheating usually becomes less frequent as the child matures. Young children may lack a sense of property rights; older children may steal to supplement an inadequate allowance, or it may be an indication of serious problems. In this age group, children are able to distinguish between fact and fantasy.
What is true concerning masturbation during adolescence?
Many girls do not begin masturbation until after they have intercourse. The age of first masturbation for girls is variable. Some begin masturbating in early adolescence; many do not begin until after they have had intercourse. Boys typically begin masturbation in early adolescence. Masturbation provides an opportunity for self-exploration. Both heterosexual and homosexual youth use masturbation. It does not affect the development of intimacy.
A child with cystic fibrosis is receiving recombinant human deoxyribonuclease (DNase). What statement about DNase is true?
May cause voice alterations One of the only adverse effects of DNase is voice alterations and laryngitis. DNase is given in an aerosolized form, decreases the viscosity of mucus, and is safe for children younger than 12 years.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) may affect single or multiple systems of the body. What is the primary factor responsible for possible multiple clinical manifestations in CF?
Mechanical obstruction caused by increased viscosity of mucous gland secretions The mucous glands produce a thick mucoprotein that accumulates and results in dilation. Small passages in organs such as the pancreas and bronchioles become obstructed as secretions form concretions in the glands and ducts. The exocrine glands, not sweat glands, are dysfunctional. Although abnormalities in the autonomic nervous system are present, it is not hypoactive. Intestinal involvement in CF results from the thick intestinal secretions, which can lead to blockage and rectal prolapse.
What is the earliest recognizable clinical manifestation(s) of cystic fibrosis (CF)?
Meconium ileus The earliest clinical manifestation of CF is a meconium ileus, which is found in about 10% of children with CF. Clinical manifestations include abdominal distention, vomiting, failure to pass stools, and rapid development of dehydration. History of malabsorption is a later sign that manifests as failure to thrive. Foul-smelling stools and recurrent respiratory infections are later manifestations of CF.
The clinic nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child appointment. The nurse should use which approaches to alleviate the infant's stranger anxiety? (Select all that apply.)
Meet the infant at eye level Avoid sudden intrusive gestures Maintain a safe distance initially The best approaches for the nurse to alleviate the infant's stranger anxiety are to talk softly; meet the infant at eye level (to appear smaller); maintain a safe distance from the infant; and avoid sudden, intrusive gestures, such as holding out the arms and smiling broadly. Talking in a loud voice and picking the infant up would increase the infant's anxiety.
A 6-year-old child is in the hospital for status asthmaticus. Nursing care during this acute period includes which prescribed interventions?
Methylprednisolone (Solumedrol) IV every 12 hours, continuous pulse oximetry, albuterol nebulizer treatments every 4 hours and PRN The child in status asthmaticus should be placed on continuous cardiorespiratory (including blood pressure) and pulse oximetry monitoring. A systemic corticosteroid (oral, IV, or IM) may also be given to decrease the effects of inflammation. Inhaled aerosolized short-acting β2-agonists are recommended for all patients. Therefore, Solumedrol per IV, continuous pulse oximetry, and albuterol nebulizer treatments are the expected prescribed treatments. Oral medications would not be used during the acute stage of status asthmaticus. Vital signs once a shift and spot pulse oximetry checks would not be often enough.
Which is a consequence of the physical punishment of children, such as spanking?
Misbehavior is likely to occur when parents are not present.
The nurse is caring for a child with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning associated with smoke inhalation. What intervention is essential in this child's care?
Monitor arterial blood gases Arterial blood gases are the best way to monitor CO poisoning. Pulse oximetry is contraindicated in the case of CO poisoning because the PaO2 may be normal. One hundred percent oxygen should be given as quickly as possible, not only if respiratory distress or other symptoms develop.
The nurse is caring for a child with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with sepsis. What nursing action should be included in the care of the child?
Monitor pulse oximetry Careful monitoring of oxygenation and cardiopulmonary status is an important evaluation tool in the care of the child with ARDS. Maintenance of vascular volume and hydration is important and should be done parenterally. Seizures are not a side effect of ARDS. Adequate nutrition is necessary, but a high-protein diet is not helpful.
Which drug is usually the best choice for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for a child in the immediate postoperative period?
Morphine (Roxanol) The most commonly prescribed medications for PCA are morphine, hydromorphone, and fentanyl. Parenteral use of codeine is not recommended. Methadone in parenteral form is not used in a PCA but is given orally or intravenously for pain in the infant. Meperidine is not used for continuous and extended pain relief.
What statement best describes fear in school-age children?
Most of the new fears that trouble them are related to school and family. During the school-age years, children experience a wide variety of fears, but new fears related predominantly to school and family bother children during this time. Parents and other persons involved with children should discuss children's fear with them individually or as a group activity. Sometimes school-age children hide their fears to avoid being teased. Hiding the fears does not end them and may lead to phobias.
When assessing a preschooler's chest, what should the nurse expect?
Movement of the chest wall to be symmetric bilaterally and coordinated with breathing Movement of the chest wall should be symmetric bilaterally and coordinated with breathing. In children younger than 6 or 7 years, respiratory movement is principally abdominal or diaphragmatic. The anteroposterior diameter is equal to the transverse diameter during infancy. As the child grows, the chest increases in the transverse direction, so that the anteroposterior diameter is less than the lateral diameter. Retractions of the muscles between the ribs on respiratory movement are indicative of respiratory distress.
Which heart sound is produced by vibrations within the heart chambers or in the major arteries from the back-and-forth flow of blood?
Murmur Murmurs are the sounds that are produced in the heart chambers or major arteries from the back-and-forth flow of blood. S1 and S2 are normal heart sounds. S1 is the closure of the tricuspid and mitral valves, and S2 is the closure of the pulmonic and aortic valves. S3 is a normal heart sound sometimes heard in children. S4 is rarely heard as a normal heart sound. If it is heard, medical evaluation is required. Physiologic splitting is the distinction of the two sounds in S2, which widens on inspiration. It is a significant normal finding.
Which coanalgesics should the nurse expect to be prescribed for pruritus? (Select all that apply.)
Naloxone (Narcan) Hydroxyzine (Atarax) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) The coanalgesics prescribed for pruritus include naloxone, hydroxyzine, and diphenhydramine. Inapsine and promethazine are administered as antiemetics.
A 5-month-old infant is in respiratory distress. What should the nurse expect to find?
Nasal flaring Nasal flaring is a sign of respiratory distress and a significant finding in an infant. The enlargement of the nostrils helps reduce nasal resistance and maintains airway patency. Nasal flaring may be intermittent or continuous and should be described as minimum or marked. The infant would have tachycardia, not bradycardia, in respiratory distress. Abdominal breathing and a capillary refill are normal findings in an infant.
What statement best describes the relationship school-age children have with their families?
Need and want restrictions placed on their behavior by the family School-age children need and want restrictions placed on their behavior, and they are not prepared to cope with all the problems of their expanding environment. Although increased independence is the goal of middle childhood, they feel more secure knowing that an authority figure can implement controls and restriction. In the middle school years, children prefer peer group activities to family activities and want to spend more time in the company of peers. Family values usually take precedence over peer value systems.
A school-age child with cystic fibrosis takes four enzyme capsules with meals. The child is having four or five bowel movements per day. The nurse's action in regard to the pancreatic enzymes is based on the knowledge that the dosage is what?
Needs to be increased to decrease the number of bowel movements per day The amount of enzyme is adjusted to achieve normal growth and a decrease in the number of stools to one or two per day.
A 13-year-old child with cystic fibrosis (CF) is a frequent patient on the pediatric unit. This admission, she is sleeping during the daytime and unable to sleep at night. What should be a beneficial strategy for this child?
Negotiate a daily schedule that incorporates hospital routine, therapy, and free time. Children's response to the disruption of routine during hospitalization is demonstrated in eating, sleeping, and other activities of daily living. The lack of structure is allowing the child to sleep during the day, rather than at night. Most likely the lack of schedule is the problem. The nurse and child can plan a schedule that incorporates all necessary activities, including medications, mealtimes, homework, and patient care procedures. The schedule can then be posted so the child has a ready reference. Sedatives are not usually used with children. The child has a chronic illness and most likely knows the importance of rest. The parents and child can be questioned about changes at home since the last hospitalization.
Parents tell the nurse they found their 3-year-old daughter and a male cousin of the same age inspecting each other closely as they used the bathroom. What is the most appropriate recommendation for the nurse to make?
Neither condone nor condemn the curiosity Three-year-old children become aware of anatomic differences and are concerned about how the other sex "works." Such exploration should not be condoned or condemned. Children should not be punished for this normal exploration. This is age appropriate and not dangerous behavior. Encouraging the children to ask their parents questions and redirecting their activity is more appropriate than giving permission.
The nurse is caring for children on an adolescent-only unit. What growth and development milestones should the nurse expect from 11- and 14-year-old adolescents? (Select all that apply.)
No major conflicts wit parents Highly value conformity to group norms Secondary sexual characteristics appear Growth and development milestones in the 11- to 14-year-old age group include minimal conflicts with parents (compared with the 15- to 17-year-old age group), a high value placed on conformity to the norm, and the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics. Self-centeredness and narcissism are seen in the 15- to 17-year-old age group along with a rich and idealistic fantasy life. Abstract thought processes are not well established until the 18- to 20-year-old age group.
During examination of a toddler's extremities, the nurse notes that the child is bowlegged. The nurse should recognize that this finding is which?
Normal because the lower back and leg muscles are not yet well developed Lateral bowing of the tibia (bowlegged) is an expected finding in toddlers when they begin to walk. It usually persists until all of their lower back and leg muscles are well developed. Further evaluation is needed if it persists beyond ages 2 to 3 years, especially in African American children.
The nurse is caring for a 1-month-old infant with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) who is receiving 23% oxygen via a plastic hood. The child's SaO2 saturation is 88%, respiratory rate is 45 breaths/min, and pulse is 140 beats/min. Based on these assessments, what action should the nurse take?
Notify the health care provider The American Academy of Pediatrics practice parameter (2006) recommends the use of supplemental oxygen if the infant fails to maintain a consistent oxygen saturation of at least 90%. The health care provider should be notified of the saturation reading of 88%. Withholding the feedings or placing the infant in an infant seat would not increase the saturation reading. The infant should be kept in the hood, but because the saturation reading is 88%, the health care provider should be notified to obtain orders to increase the oxygen concentration.
A 4-year-old girl is brought to the emergency department. She has a "froglike" croaking sound on inspiration, is agitated, and is drooling. She insists on sitting upright. The nurse should intervene in which manner?
Notify the physician immediately and be prepared to assist with a tracheostomy or intubation. This child is exhibiting signs of respiratory distress and possible epiglottitis. Epiglottitis is always a medical emergency requiring antibiotics and airway support for treatment. Sitting up is the position that facilitates breathing in respiratory disease. The oral pharynx should not be visualized. If the epiglottis is inflamed, there is the potential for complete obstruction if it is irritated further. Although lung auscultation provides useful assessment information, a mist tent would not be beneficial for this child. Immediate medical evaluation and intervention are indicated.
A child is in uncompensated respiratory acidosis. What should the nurse expect the arterial blood gas to be?
O2 = 88 CO2 = 55 pH = 7.30 Respiratory acidosis results from diminished or inadequate pulmonary ventilation that causes an elevation in plasma Pco2 and thus an increased concentration of dissolved carbonic acid, which leads to elevated carbonic acid and hydrogen ion concentration. This tends to lower the pH. CO2 of 55 is elevated (normal CO2 is 35-45), and a pH of 7.30 is low (normal pH is 7.35-7.45).
The nurse is evaluating arterial blood gas results. What condition can cause an increase in PCO2?
Obstructive lung disease Obstructive lung disease causes an increase in PCO2. Hypoxia, hyperventilation, and pulmonary embolism cause a decrease in PCO2.
Where is the best place to observe for the presence of petechiae in dark-skinned individuals?
Oral mucosa Petechiae, small distinct pinpoint hemorrhages, are difficult to see in dark-skinned individuals unless they are in the mouth or conjunctiva.
Which nonpharmacologic intervention appears to be effective in decreasing neonatal procedural pain?
Oral sucrose and nonnutritive sucking Nonnutritive sucking attenuates behavioral, physiologic, and hormonal responses to pain. The addition of sucrose has been demonstrated to have calming and pain-relieving effects for neonates. Tactile stimulation has a variable effect on response to procedural pain. No evidence supports commercial warm packs as a pain control measure. With resulting increased blood flow to the area, pain may be greater. The infant should not be disturbed during the sleep cycle. It makes it more difficult for the infant to begin organization of sleep and awake cycles.
The nurse is teaching parents about expected language development for their 6-month-old infant. The nurse recognizes the parents understand the teaching if they make which statement?
Our baby should begin to combine syllables, such as "dada" By 6 months, infants imitate sounds; add the consonants t, d, and w; and combine syllables (e.g., "dada"), but they do not ascribe meaning to the word until 10 to 11 months of age. By 9 to 10 months, they comprehend the meaning of the word "no" and obey simple commands accompanied by gestures. By age 1 year, they can say three to five words with meaning and may understand as many as 100 words.
The nurse is using the CRIES pain assessment tool on a preterm infant in the neonatal intensive care unit. Which are the components of this tool? (Select all that apply.)
Oxygen saturation Sleeplessness Facial expression Need for increased oxygen, crying, increased vital signs, expression, and sleeplessness are components of the CRIES pain assessment tool used with neonates. Color, Moro reflex, and posture of arms and legs are not components of the CRIES scale.
Arterial blood gases have just been drawn on a child. What should the nurse do next?
Pack the sample in ice and take it to the laboratory immediately Arterial blood gases require careful handling for accurate results. Immediately after obtaining the specimen, the nurse packs it in ice to reduce cellular metabolism and takes it to the laboratory.
A preterm infant has just been admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. The infant's parents ask the nurse about anesthesia and analgesia when painful procedures are necessary. What should the nurse's explanation be?
Pain pathways and neurochemical systems associated with pain transmission are intact and functional in neonates. Pain pathways and neurochemical systems associated with pain transmission are intact and functional in neonates. Painful stimuli cause a global stress response, including cardiorespiratory changes, palmar sweating, increased intracranial pressure, and hormonal and metabolic changes. Adequate analgesia and anesthesia are necessary to decrease the stress response. The pathways are sufficiently myelinated to transmit the painful stimuli and produce the pain response. Local and systemic pharmacologic agents are available to permit anesthesia and analgesia for neonates.
The nurse is assessing a child's capillary refill time. This can be accomplished by doing what?
Palpate the nail bed with pressure to produce a slight blanching. Capillary refill time is assessed by pressing lightly on the skin to produce blanching and then noting the amount of time it takes for the blanched area to refill. Inspecting the chest, auscultating the heart, and palpating the apical pulse will not provide an assessment of capillary refill time.
Pancreatic enzymes are administered to the child with cystic fibrosis. What nursing consideration should be included in the plan of care?
Pancreatic enzymes can be swallowed whole or sprinkled on a small amount of food taken at the beginning of a meal. Enzymes may be administered in a small amount of cereal or fruit at the beginning of a meal or swallowed whole. Enzymes should be given just before meals and snacks. Pancreatic enzymes are not a contraindication for antibiotics. The dose of enzymes should be increased if child is having frequent, bulky stools.
A child is in the hospital for cystic fibrosis. What health care provider's prescription should the nurse clarify before implementing?
Pancreatic enzymes every 6 hours The principal treatment for pancreatic insufficiency that occurs in cystic fibrosis is replacement of pancreatic enzymes, which are administered with meals and snacks to ensure that digestive enzymes are mixed with food in the duodenum. The enzymes should not be given every 6 hours, so this should be clarified before implementing this prescription. Dornase alfa (Pulmozyme) is given by nebulizer to decrease the viscosity of secretions, vitamin supplements are given daily, and Proventil nebulizer treatments are given to open the bronchi for easier expectoration.
When discussing discipline with the mother of a 4-year-old child, which should the nurse include?
Parental control should be consistent For effective discipline, parents must be consistent and must follow through with agreed-on actions. Withdrawal of love and approval is never appropriate or effective. The 4-year-old child will test limits and may misbehave. Children of this age do not respond to verbal reasoning. Realistic goals should be set for this age group. Discipline is necessary to reinforce these goals. Discipline strategies should be appropriate to the child's age and temperament and the severity of the misbehavior. Following rules rigidly and unquestioningly is beyond the developmental capabilities of a 4-year-old child.
The nurse is reviewing the importance of role learning for children. The nurse understands that children's roles are primarily shaped by which members?
Parents Children's roles are shaped primarily by the parents, who apply direct or indirect pressures to induce or force children into the desired patterns of behavior or direct their efforts toward modification of the role responses of the child on a mutually acceptable basis.
The nurse is planning home care for a 2-year-old child with a tracheostomy. What recommendation should be included?
Parents are able to change the tracheostomy tube when needed. A plugged, clogged, or obstructed tracheostomy tube is a life-threatening circumstance. Parents are taught the signs and symptoms, how to suction, and how to change the tube. Clean technique and thorough hand washing are sufficient for suctioning, cleaning the tracheostomy site, and changing the tracheostomy tube. The child who is physically able can engage in activities appropriate to age. Young children who may spill food near the stoma should wear a fabric bib without a plastic lining or other device to prevent dribbled food and crumbs from being aspirated.
The nurse is analyzing an arterial blood gas of pH, 7.29; PCO2, 30; and HCO3, 20. What result should the nurse document for this blood gas?
Partially compensated metabolic acidosis When the fundamental acid-base ratio is altered for any reason, the body attempts to correct the deviation. In a simple disturbance, a single primary factor affects one component of the acid-base pair and is usually accompanied by a compensatory or secondary change in the component that is not primarily affected. In metabolic acidosis, the pH is low (?6?7.35), and the HCO3 is low (?6?22). When the pH is restored to normal, the disturbance is described as compensated. It is partially compensated because the pH remains abnormal, but the PCO2 is low (?6?35), indicating an attempt at compensation.
The nurse is analyzing an arterial blood gas of pH, 7.50; PCO2, 50; and HCO3, 29. What result should the nurse document for this blood gas?
Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis When the fundamental acid-base ratio is altered for any reason, the body attempts to correct the deviation. In a simple disturbance, a single primary factor affects one component of the acid-base pair and is usually accompanied by a compensatory or secondary change in the component that is not primarily affected. In metabolic alkalosis, the pH is high (?7?7.45), and the HCO3 is high (?7?26). When the pH is restored to normal, the disturbance is described as compensated. It is partially compensated because the pH remains abnormal, but the PCO2 is high (?7?45), indicating an attempt at compensation.
The nurse is analyzing an arterial blood gas of pH, 7.30; PCO2, 50; and HCO3, 29. What result should the nurse document for this blood gas?
Partially compensated respiratory acidosis When the fundamental acid-base ratio is altered for any reason, the body attempts to correct the deviation. In a simple disturbance, a single primary factor affects one component of the acid-base pair and is usually accompanied by a compensatory or secondary change in the component that is not primarily affected. In respiratory acidosis, the pH is low (?6?7.35), and the PCO2 is high (?7?45). When the pH is restored to normal, the disturbance is described as compensated. It is partially compensated because the pH remains abnormal, but the HCO3 is high (?7?26), indicating an attempt at compensation.
The nurse is analyzing an arterial blood gas of pH, 7.50; PCO2, 30; and HCO3, 20. What result should the nurse document for this blood gas?
Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis When the fundamental acid-base ratio is altered for any reason, the body attempts to correct the deviation. In a simple disturbance, a single primary factor affects one component of the acid-base pair and is usually accompanied by a compensatory or secondary change in the component that is not primarily affected. In respiratory alkalosis, the pH is high (?7?7.45), and the PCO2 is low (?6?35). When the pH is restored to normal, the disturbance is described as compensated. It is partially compensated because the pH remains abnormal, but the HCO3 is low (?6?22), indicating an attempt at compensation.
The nurse is caring for an adolescent hospitalized for asthma. The adolescent belongs to a large family. The nurse recognizes that the adolescent is likely to relate to which group?
Peers Adolescents from a large family are more peer oriented than family oriented. Adolescents in small families identify more strongly with their parents and rely more on them for advice.
The nurse understands that traits of gifted children include what? (Select all that apply.)
Perfectionism as a focus Inquisitive; always asking questions Displays intense feelings and emotions Characteristics of gifted children include perfectionism as a focus; inquisitive, always asking questions; and displaying intense feelings and emotion. Memory skills are pronounced, and humor is exceptional.
During a well-child visit, the father of a 4-year-old boy tells the nurse that he is not sure if his son is ready for kindergarten. The boy's birthday is close to the cut-off date, and he has not attended preschool. What is the nurse's best recommendation?
Perform a developmental screening A developmental assessment with a screening tool that addresses cognitive, social, and physical milestones can help identify children who may need further assessment. A readiness assessment involves an evaluation of skill acquisition. Stating the child should start kindergarten or go to preschool and postpone kindergarten does not address the father's concerns about readiness for school. Talking to other parents about readiness does not ascertain if the child is ready and does not address the father's concerns.
The nurse must suction a 6-month-old infant with a tracheostomy. What intervention should be included?
Perform each pass of the suction catheter for no longer than 5 seconds. Suctioning should require no longer than 5 seconds per pass. Otherwise, the airway may be occluded for too long. An infant would be unable to cooperate with instructions to cough up secretions. The child is allowed to rest for 30 to 60 seconds after each aspiration to allow oxygen tension to return to normal. Then the process is repeated until the trachea is clear. The catheter should have a diameter one half the size of the tracheostomy tube. If it is too large, it might block the child's airway.
When assessing a family, the nurse determines that the parents exert little or no control over their children. This style of parenting is called which?
Permissive Permissive parents avoid imposing their own standards of conduct and allow their children to regulate their own activity as much as possible. The parents exert little or no control over their children's actions. Dictatorial or authoritarian parents attempt to control their children's behavior and attitudes through unquestioned mandates. They establish rules and regulations or standards of conduct that they expect to be followed rigidly and unquestioningly. Democratic parents combine permissive and dictatorial styles. They direct their children's behavior and attitudes by emphasizing the reasons for rules and negatively reinforcing deviations. They respect their children's individual natures.
What are the goals of organized athletics for preadolescent children? (Select all that apply.)
Physical fitness Basic motor skills Positive self-image The goals of organized athletics for preadolescent children include physical fitness, basic motor skills, and a positive self-image. The commitment is to the values of teamwork, fair play, and sportsmanship, not to winning.
The nurse has just given a subcutaneous injection to a preschool child, and the child asks for a Band-Aid over the site. Which action should the nurse implement?
Place a Band-Aid over the site Despite the advances in body image development, preschoolers have poorly defined body boundaries and little knowledge of their internal anatomy. Intrusive experiences are frightening, especially those that disrupt the integrity of the skin (e.g., injections and surgery). They fear that all their blood and "insides" can leak out if the skin is "broken." Therefore, preschoolers may believe it is critical to use bandages after an injury. The nurse should place a Band-Aid over the site.
Which action should the nurse implement when taking an axillary temperature?
Place the tip of the thermometer under the arm in the center of the axilla. The thermometer tip should be placed under the arm in the center of the axilla and kept close to the skin, not clothing. The temperature should not be taken through any clothing. The child's arm should be pressed firmly against the side, not held away from the body. The temperature should be recorded without a degree added and designated as being taken by the axillary method.
A child is in the intensive care unit after a motor vehicle collision. The child has numerous fractures and is in pain that is rated 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale. In planning care, the nurse recognizes that the indicated action is which?
Plan a preventive schedule of pain medication around the clock For severe postoperative pain, a preventive around the clock (ATC) schedule is necessary to prevent decreased plasma levels of medications. The opioid analgesic will help for the present, but it is not an effective strategy. Increasing the dosage requires an order. The nurse should give the drug on a regular schedule and evaluate the effectiveness. Using a clock is counterproductive because it focuses the child's attention on how long he or she will need to wait for pain relief.
What is an appropriate play activity for a 7-month-old infant to encourage visual stimulation?
Playing peek-a-boo Because object permanence is a new achievement, peek-a-boo is an excellent activity to practice this new skill for visual stimulation. Playing pat-a-cake and showing how to clap hands help with kinetic stimulation. Imitating animal sounds helps with auditory stimulation.
The parent of a child with cystic fibrosis (CF) calls the clinic nurse to report that the child has developed tachypnea, tachycardia, dyspnea, pallor, and cyanosis. The nurse should tell the parent to bring the child to the clinic because these signs and symptoms are suggestive of what condition?
Pneumothorax Usually the signs of pneumothorax are nonspecific. Tachypnea, tachycardia, dyspnea, pallor, and cyanosis are significant signs and symptoms and are indicative of respiratory distress caused by pneumothorax. If the bronchial tubes were dilated, the child would have decreased work of breathing and would most likely be asymptomatic. Carbon dioxide retention is a result of the chronic alveolar hypoventilation in CF. Hypoxia replaces carbon dioxide as the drive for respiration progresses. Increased viscosity would result in more difficulty clearing secretions.
The nurse recognizes that oxygen mist tents are rarely used for a child with respiratory distress. What are reasons for not using an oxygen mist tent? (Select all that apply.)
Poor access to the child Cool and wet tent environment Oxygen levels fall when tent is entered Child may not tolerate it around the crib/bed The disadvantages of using a mist tent include poor access to the child, a cool and wet tent environment, oxygen levels fall when the tent is entered, and the child may not tolerate it around the crib or bed. Lower oxygen concentrations can be achieved in the tent and is an advantage.
What nursing consideration is most important in the care of a child on a mechanical ventilator?
Positioning the child for comfort and optimum ventilation is necessary. The ventilator will do the work of breathing, but the nurse must position the child with attention to achieving optimum gas exchange. The reason for mechanical ventilation and the child's comfort are part of the assessment. Mechanical ventilation is usually achieved by intubation or tracheostomy. These routes bypass the humidification that occurs in the upper airway. The ventilator provides some information about the work of breathing, but patient assessment must be done by the nurse. Support and reassurance are always important for both the child and family. Opioids and anxiolytics are often used to decrease the child's anxiety. Careful assessment is indicated.
The school nurse teaches adolescents that the detrimental long-term effects of tanning are what? (Select all that apply.)
Premature aging of the skin Increased risk for skin cancer Possible phototoxic reactions Adolescents should be educated regarding the detrimental effects of sunlight on the skin. Long-term effects include premature aging of the skin; increased risk for skin cancer; and, in susceptible individuals, phototoxic reactions. Exposure to levels of sunlight cause an increase in vitamin D production. Tanning can often reduce outbreaks of acne.
A 4-year-old child tells the nurse that she doesn't want another blood sample drawn because "I need all of my insides and I don't want anyone taking them out." What is the nurse's best interpretation of this?
Preschoolers have poorly defined body boundaries Preschoolers have little understanding of body boundaries, which leads to fears of mutilation. The child is not capable of being dramatic at this age. She truly has fear. Body image is just developing in school-age children. Preschoolers do not have good understanding of their bodies.
An infant with a congenital heart defect is to receive a dose of palivizumab (Synagis). What is the purpose of this?
Prevent RSV infection The only product available in the United States for prevention of RSV is palivizumab, a humanized mouse monoclonal antibody, which is given once every 30 days (15 mg/kg) between November and March. It is given to high-risk infants, which includes an infant with a congenital heart defect.
What developmental characteristic does not occur until a child reaches age 2 1/2 years?
Primary dentition is complete Usually by age 30 months, the primary dentition of 20 teeth is complete. Birth weight doubles at approximately ages 5 to 6 months. The anterior fontanel closes at ages 12 to 18 months. Binocularity is established by age 15 months.
Effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a 5-year-old child should include what technique?
Provide 2 breaths to every 30 chest compressions Two breaths to 15 compressions is the standard for infants and children when two rescuers are present. One breath to every five chest compressions is not the appropriate ratio for CPR in this age group. Reassessment of the child should take place after 20 cycles or 1 minute.
The nurse is preparing a pamphlet for parents of adolescents about guidance during the adolescent years. What suggestion should the nurse include in the pamphlet?
Provide clear, reasonable limits and define consequences when rules are broken. An anticipatory guideline to include when teaching parents of adolescents is to provide clear, reasonable limits and have clear consequences when rules are broken. Parents should avoid criticism when mistakes are made and should allow opportunities for the teen to voice different views and opinions. Parents should try to avoid comparing the teen with a sibling or extended family member. Parents should try to be more engaged in the teen's school functions to show support and unconditional love.
The mother of a 20-month-old boy tells the nurse that he has a barking cough at night. His temperature is 37° C (98.6° F). The nurse suspects mild croup and should recommend which intervention?
Provide fluids that the child likes and use comfort measures. In mild croup, therapeutic interventions include adequate hydration (as long as the child can easily drink) and comfort measures to minimize distress. The child is not exhibiting signs of epiglottitis. A temperature of 37° C is within normal limits. Although a return to the clinic may be indicated, the mother is instructed to return if the child develops noisy respirations or drooling.
The nurse is teaching parents of a toddler how to handle temper tantrums. What should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
Provide realistic expectations Ensure consistency among all caregivers in expectations During tantrums, ignore the behavior and continue to be present The best approach toward tapering temper tantrums requires consistency and developmentally appropriate expectations and rewards. Ensuring consistency among all caregivers in expectations, prioritizing what rules are important, and developing consequences that are reasonable for the child's level of development help manage the behavior. During tantrums, ignore the behavior, provided the behavior is not injurious to the child, such as violently banging the head on the floor. Continue to be present to provide a feeling of control and security to the child after the tantrum has subsided. Starting at 18 months, time-outs work well for managing temper tantrums, but not at 12 months.
The nurse is having difficulty communicating with a hospitalized 6-year-old child. Which technique should be most helpful?
Provide supplies for the child to draw a picture Drawing is one of the most valuable forms of communication. Children's drawings tell a great deal about them because they are projections of the children's inner self. A diary should be difficult for a 6-year-old child, who is most likely learning to read. The parent reading fairy tales to the child is a passive activity involving the parent and child; it should not facilitate communication with the nurse. The child is in a stressful situation and is probably uncomfortable with strangers, not always uncommunicative.
The nurse is planning pain control for a child. Which is the advantage of administering pain medication by the intravenous (IV) bolus route?
Provides most rapid onset of effect, usually in about 5 minutes The advantage of pain medication by the IV bolus route is that it provides the most rapid onset of effect, usually in about 5 minutes. IV medications are more expensive than oral medications, and the IV route bypasses the first-pass effect through the liver. Pain control with IV bolus medication needs to be repeated hourly for continuous pain control.
What is the role of the peer group in the life of school-age children?
Provides them with security as they gain independence from their parents Peer group identification is an important factor in gaining independence from parents. Through peer relationships, children learn ways to deal with dominance and hostility. They also learn how to relate to people in positions of leadership and authority and how to explore ideas and the physical environment. A child's concept of appropriate sex roles is influenced by relationships with peers.
When doing a nutritional assessment on a Hispanic family, the nurse learns that their diet consists mainly of vegetables, legumes, and starches. The nurse should recognize that this diet is which?
Providing sufficient amino acids A diet that contains vegetables, legumes, and starches may provide sufficient essential amino acids even though the actual amount of meat or dairy protein is low. Combinations of foods contain the essential amino acids necessary for growth. Many cultures use diets that contain this combination of foods. It is not indicative of poverty. A dietary assessment should be done, but many vegetarian diets are sufficient for growth.
What is the best explanation for using pulse oximetry on young children to determine oxygen saturation?
Pulse oximetry is non-invasive Pulse oximetry is a noninvasive measure of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin. Capnography measures carbon dioxide inhalation and exhalation. It does not provide information about oxygen saturation. Arterial blood gases provide additional clinical information, including pH, PCO2, bicarbonate, base excess, and PO2. An arterial puncture is required, which can be painful, and continuous monitoring cannot be done without an arterial line. Pulse oximetry can be either intermittent or continuous.
A nurse is calculating the correlation of Pao2 with Sao2 according to the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve. What parameter should indicate that the Pao2 is less than 50 to 60 mm Hg?
Pulse oximetry reading of 90% or less The Pao2 can be correlated with the Sao2 by means of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve, although changes in Pao2 do not cause identical (linear) changes in Sao2. The curve represents the relationship between Pao2 (measured in the blood) and Sao2 (measured by the pulse oximeter). When the Pao2 is 60?9?mm?9?Hg, the Sao2 is 90%. The oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve does not correlate with lung sounds, temperature, or respiratory rate.
What is an appropriate screening test for hearing that the nurse can administer to a 5-year-old child?
Pure tone audiometry Pure tone audiometry uses an audiometer that produces sounds at different volumes and pitches in the child's ears. The child is asked to respond in some way when the tone is heard in the earphone. The Rinne and Weber tests measure bone conduction of sound. Eliciting the startle reflex may be useful in infants.
A child is admitted with acute laryngotracheobronchitis (LTB). The child will most likely be treated with which?
Racemic epinephrine and corticosteroids Nebulized epinephrine (racemic epinephrine) is now used in children with LTB that is not alleviated with cool mist. The beta-adrenergic effects cause mucosal vasoconstriction and subsequent decreased subglottic edema. The use of corticosteroids is beneficial because the anti-inflammatory effects decrease subglottic edema. Nebulizer treatments are not effective even though oxygen may be required. Antibiotics are not used because it is a viral infection. Chest physiotherapy would not be instituted.
The parent of an 8.2-kg (18-lb) 9-month-old infant is borrowing a federally approved car seat from the clinic. The nurse should explain that the safest way to put in the car seat is what?
Rear facing in back seat A rear-facing car seat provides the best protection for an infant's disproportionately heavy head and weak neck. The middle of the back seat is the safest position for the child. Severe injuries and deaths in children have occurred from air bags deploying on impact in the front passenger seat.
A breastfed infant is being seen in the clinic for a 6-month checkup. The mother tells the nurse that the infant recently began to suck her thumb. Which is the best nursing intervention?
Reassure the mother that this is normal at this age. Sucking is an infant's chief pleasure, and the infant may not be satisfied by bottle-feeding or breastfeeding alone. During infancy and early childhood, there is no need to restrict nonnutritive sucking. The nurse should explore with the mother her feelings about a pacifier versus the thumb. No data support that the child has sensory deprivation.
A parent asks the nurse about negativism in toddlers. What is the most appropriate recommendation?
Reduce the opportunities for a "no" answer The nurse should suggest to the parent that questions should be phrased with realistic choices rather than yes or no answers. This provides a sense of control for the toddler and reduces the opportunity for negativism. Negativism is not an indication of stubbornness or insolence and should not be punished. The negativism is not a function of attention; the child is testing limits to gain an understanding of the world. The toddler is too young to comply with requests not to say "no."
One of the goals for children with asthma is to maintain the child's normal functioning. What principle of treatment helps to accomplish this goal?
Reduce underlying inflammation Children with asthma are often excluded from exercise. This practice interferes with peer interaction and physical health. Most children with asthma can participate provided their asthma is under control. Inflammation is the underlying cause of the symptoms of asthma. By decreasing inflammation and reducing the symptomatic airway narrowing, health care providers can minimize exacerbations. Pharmacologic agents are used to prevent and control asthma symptoms, reduce the frequency and severity of asthma exacerbations, and reverse airflow obstruction. It is recommended that children with asthma be evaluated every 6 months.
The nurse has just started assessing a young child who is febrile and appears ill. There is hyperextension of the child's head (opisthotonos) with pain on flexion. Which is the most appropriate action?
Refer for immediate medical evaluation Hyperextension of the child's head with pain on flexion is indicative of meningeal irritation and needs immediate evaluation. No indication of injury is present. This situation is not descriptive of head lag.
A boy age 4 1/2 years has been having increasingly frequent angry outbursts in preschool. He is aggressive toward the other children and the teachers. This behavior has been a problem for approximately 8 to 10 weeks. His parent asks the nurse for advice. What is the most appropriate intervention?
Refer the child for a professional psychosocial assessment The preschool years are a time when children learn socially acceptable behavior. The difference between normal and problematic behavior is not the behavior but the severity, frequency, and duration. This child's behavior meets the definition requiring professional evaluation. Some aggressive behavior is within normal limits, but at 8 to 10 weeks, this behavior has persisted too long. There is no indication that the parent is using inconsistent discipline. A part of the evaluation is to obtain validation for behavior parent reports.
The nurse should expect a toddler to cope with the stress of a short period of separation from parents by displaying what?
Regression Children in the toddler stage demonstrate goal-directed behaviors when separated from parents for short periods. They may demonstrate displeasure on the parents' return or departure by having temper tantrums; refusing to comply with the usual routines of mealtime, bedtime, or toileting; or regressing to more primitive levels of development. Detachment would be seen with a prolonged absence of parents, not a short one. Toddlers would not be indifferent or happy when experiencing short separations from parents.
Which describe the feelings and behaviors of early preschool children related to divorce? (Select all that apply.)
Regressive behavior Fear of abandonment Blame themselves for the divorce Feelings and behaviors of early preschool children related to divorce include regressive behavior, fear of abandonment, and blaming themselves for the divorce. Fear regarding the future and intense desire for reconciliation of parents is a reaction later school-age children have to divorce.
A toddler's parent asks the nurse for suggestions on dealing with temper tantrums. What is the most appropriate recommendation?
Remain close by the child but without eye contact. The best way to deal with temper tantrums is to ignore the behaviors, provided that the actions are not dangerous to the child. Tantrums are common during this age group as the child becomes more independent and overwhelmed by increasingly complex tasks. The parents and caregivers need to have consistent and developmentally appropriate expectations. Punishment and explanations will not be beneficial. The presence of the parent is necessary both for safety and to provide a feeling of control and security to the child when the tantrum is over.
The nurse is caring for a child with a tracheostomy. What clinical manifestation should the nurse recognize as an early sign of impending respiratory distress or failure?
Restlessness Signs of hypoxemia are initially subtle. Cardinal signs of impending respiratory failure include restlessness, tachypnea, tachycardia, and diaphoresis. Cyanosis is a sign of severe hypoxia. Stridor and crowing respirations are indicative of inflammation. Sternal retractions are an early but less obvious sign.
Parents are concerned about their child riding an all-terrain vehicle. What should the nurse tell the parents about safe use of all-terrain vehicles? (Select all that apply.)
Restrict riding to familiar terrain Nighttime riding should not be allowed Vehicles should include seat belts, roll bars, and automatic headlights Safe use of all-terrain vehicles includes restricting riding to familiar terrain; not allowing nighttime riding; and assuring the vehicle has seat belts, roll bars, and automatic headlights. Street use should not be allowed, and the vehicle should not carry more than one person.
During a respiratory assessment, the nurse notes a sinking in of soft tissues relative to the cartilaginous and bony thorax. What is the term for this finding?
Retractions Retractions are defined as the sinking of soft tissue relative to the cartilaginous or bony thorax. Retractions can be extreme in severe airway obstruction as the work of breathing increases. Grunting can be a sign of pain in older children with respiratory issues. It serves to increase the end-respiratory pressure, which prolongs the period of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange across the membrane. Tachypnea is an increase in the respiratory rate above the child's baseline. Nasal flaring, the enlargement of the nostrils, helps reduce nasal resistance and maintains airway patency.
Which data should be included in a health history?
Review of systems A review of systems is done to elicit information concerning any potential health problems. This further guides the interview process. Physical assessment, growth measurements, and a record of vital signs are components of the physical examination.
What do the initial signs of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in an infant include?
Rhinorrhea, wheezing, and fever Symptoms such as rhinorrhea and a low-grade fever often appear first. OM and conjunctivitis may also be present. In time, a cough may develop. Wheezing is an initial sign as well. Progression of illness brings on the symptoms of tachypnea, retractions, poor breath sounds, cyanosis, air hunger, and apnea.
The nurse is teaching parents of a 3-year-old child about gross motor developmental milestones. What milestones should the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)
Rides a tricycle Jumps off the bottom step Stands on one foot for a few seconds The gross motor milestones of a 3-year-old child include riding a tricycle, jumping off the bottom step, and standing on one foot for a few seconds. Catching a ball reliably and walking downstairs using alternate footing are gross motor milestones seen at the age of 4 years.
What is the reason pedestrian motor vehicle injuries increase in the preschool age? (Select all that apply.)
Riding tricycles Running after balls Playing in the street Pedestrian motor vehicle injuries increase because of activities such as playing in the street, riding tricycles, running after balls, and forgetting safety regulations when crossing streets. Crossing streets at the crosswalk or with an adult are safety measures.
A father tells the nurse that his daughter wants the same plate and cup used at every meal, even if they go to a restaurant. The nurse should explain that this is what?
Ritualism, an expected behavior at this age The child is exhibiting the ritualism, which is characteristic at this age. Ritualism is the need to maintain sameness and reliability. It provides a sense of structure and comfort to the toddler. It will dictate certain principles in feeding practices, including rejecting a favorite food because it is served in a different container. This does not indicate the child has unreasonable expectations but rather is part of normal development. Ritualism is not regression, which is a retreat from a present pattern of functioning.
The nurse is planning strategies to assist difficult or easily distracted children when they participate in activities. What strategies should the nurse plan? (Select all that apply.)
Role-play before the activity Handle behavior with firmness Acquaint them with what to expect Be patient with inappropriate behavior Difficult or easily distracted children may benefit from "practice" sessions in which they are prepared for a given event by role-playing, visiting the site, reading or listening to stories, or using other methods to acquaint them with what to expect. Nurses need to handle children with difficult temperaments with exceptional patience, firmness, and understanding so they can learn appropriate behavior in their interactions with others.
The nurse is caring for an intubated child on mechanical ventilation. What interventions should the nurse implement to prevent ventilator-assisted pneumonia (VAP)? (Select all that apply.)
Routine oral hygiene Appropriate hand hygiene Elevating the HOB 30-45 degrees Wearing gloves to handle respiratory secretions Critically ill children on mechanical ventilation are at risk for acquisition of VAP. To prevent VAP, recommendations for nurses working with mechanically ventilated patients include appropriate hand hygiene measures; wearing gloves to handle respiratory secretions or contaminated objects; elevating the head of the bed 30 to 45 degrees; and routine oral hygiene, which includes oropharyngeal suctioning of secretions.
The nurse is assessing heart sounds on a school-age child. Which should the nurse document as abnormal findings if found on the assessment? (Select all that apply.)
S4 heart sound Grade II murmur S2 louder than S1 in the aortic area S4 is rarely heard as a normal heart sound; it usually indicates the need for further cardiac evaluation. A grade II murmur is not normal; it is slightly louder than grade I and is audible in all positions. S3 is normally heard in some children. Normally, S1 is louder at the apex of the heart in the mitral and tricuspid area, and S2 is louder near the base of the heart in the pulmonic and aortic area.
What is the most common type of burn in the toddler age group?
Scald burn from high-temperature tap water Scald burns are the most common type of thermal injury in children, especially 1- and 2-year-old children. Temperature should be reduced on the hot water in the house and hot liquids placed out of the child's reach. Electric burns from electrical outlets and hot object burns from cigarettes or irons are both significant causes of burn injury. The child should be protected by reducing the temperature on the hot water heater in the home, keeping objects such as cigarettes and irons away from children, and placing protective guards over electrical outlets when not in use. Flame burns from matches and lighters represent one of the most fatal types of burns in the toddler age group but not one of the most common types of burn.
The nurse is caring for a newborn with suspected congenital diaphragmatic hernia. What of the following findings would the nurse expect to observe? (Select all that apply.)
Scaphoid abdomen Mediastinal shift Moderate respiratory distress Clinical manifestations of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia include a scaphoid abdomen, a mediastinal shift, and moderate to severe respiratory distress. The infant would not have a harsh, loud murmur or poor peripheral pulses. Inguinal swelling is indicative of an inguinal hernia.
During a routine health assessment, the nurse notes that an 8-month-old infant has a significant head lag. Which is the most appropriate action?
Schedule the child for further evaluation Significant head lag after age 6 months strongly indicates cerebral injury and is referred for further evaluation. Head control is part of normal development. Exercises will not be effective. The lack of achievement of this developmental milestone must be evaluated.
After the family, which has the greatest influence on providing continuity between generations?
School Schools convey a tremendous amount of culture from the older members to the younger members of society. They prepare children to carry out the traditional social roles that will be expected of them as adults. Race is defined as a division of humankind possessing traits that are transmissible by descent and are sufficient to characterize race as a distinct human type; although race may have an influence on childrearing practices, its role is not as significant as that of schools. Social class refers to the family's economic and educational levels. The social class of a family may change between generations. The government establishes parameters for children, including amount of schooling, but this is usually at a local level. The school culture has the most significant influence on continuity besides family.
According to Piaget, a 6-month-old infant should be in which developmental stage?
Secondary circular reactions Infants are usually in the secondary circular reaction stage from ages 4 to 8 months. This stage is characterized by a continuation of the primary circular reaction for the response that results. Shaking is performed to hear the noise of the rattle, not just for shaking. The use of reflexes stage is primarily during the first month of life. The primary circular reaction stage marks the replacement of reflexes with voluntary acts. The infant is in this stage from ages 1 to 4 months. The fourth sensorimotor stage is coordination of secondary schemata, which occurs at ages 9 to 12 months. This is a transitional stage in which increasing motor skills enable greater exploration of the environment.
The parents of a young child ask the nurse for suggestions about discipline. When discussing the use of time-outs, which should the nurse include?
Select an area that is safe and non-stimulating, such as a hallway. The area must be nonstimulating and safe. The child becomes bored in this environment and then changes behavior to rejoin activities. The child's room may have toys and activities that negate the effect of being separated from the family. The general rule is 1 minute per year of age. An hour per year is excessive. When the child cries, refuses, or is more disruptive, the time-out does not start; the time-out begins when the child quiets.
The nurse is explaining different parenting styles to a group of parents. The nurse explains that an authoritative parenting style can lead to which child behavior?
Self-reliance Children raised by parents with an authoritative parenting style tend to have high self-esteem and are self-reliant, assertive, inquisitive, content, and highly interactive with other children. Children raised by parents with an authoritarian parenting style tend to be sensitive, shy, self-conscious, retiring, and submissive.
The parents of a 5-year-old child ask the nurse how they can minimize misbehavior. Which responses should the nurse give? (Select all that apply.)
Set clear and reasonable goals Praise your child for desirable behavior Teach desirable behavior through your own example To minimize misbehavior, parents should (1) set clear and reasonable rules and expect the same behavior regardless of the circumstances, (2) praise children for desirable behavior with attention and verbal approval, and (3) teach desirable behavior through their own example. Parents should call attention to unacceptable behavior as soon as it begins and provide children with opportunities for power and control.
The school nurse has been asked to begin teaching sex education in the fifth grade. What should the nurse recognize?
Sexuality is presented as a normal part of growth and development. When sexual information is presented to school-age children, sex should be treated as a normal part of growth and development. They should be encouraged to ask questions. At 10 to 11 years old, fifth graders are not too young to speak about physiologic changes in their bodies. Preadolescents need precise and concrete information
What drug is usually given first in the emergency treatment of an acute, severe asthma episode in a young child?
Short-acting B2 agonists Short-acting β2-agonists are the first treatment in an acute asthma exacerbation. Ephedrine and aminophylline are not helpful in acute asthma exacerbations. Theophylline is unnecessary for treating asthma exacerbations.
The parent of an infant with nasopharyngitis should be instructed to notify the health professional if the infant shows signs or symptoms of which condition?
Shows signs of an earache If an infant with nasopharyngitis shows signs of an earache, it may indicate respiratory complications and possibly secondary bacterial infection. The health professional should be contacted to evaluate the infant. Cough can be a sign of nasopharyngitis. Irritability is common in an infant with a viral illness. Fever is common in viral illnesses.
What is the appropriate placement of a tongue blade for assessment of the mouth and throat?
Side of the tongue The side of the tongue is the correct position. It avoids the gag reflex yet allows visualization. On the lower jaw and against the soft palate are not appropriate places for the tongue blade. Placement in the center back area of the tongue elicits the gag reflex.
A 9-year-old girl often comes to the school nurse complaining of stomach pains. Her teacher says she is completing her school work satisfactorily but lately has been somewhat aggressive and stubborn in the classroom. The school nurse should recognize this as which?
Signs of stress Signs of stress include stomach pains or headache, sleep problems, bedwetting, changes in eating habits, aggressive or stubborn behavior, reluctance to participate, or regression to earlier behaviors. The child is completing school work satisfactorily; any developmental delay would have been diagnosed earlier. The teacher reports that this is a departure from the child's normal behavior. Adjustment issues would most likely be evident soon after a change. Medical intervention is not immediately required. Recognizing that this constellation of symptoms can indicate stress, the nurse should help the child identify sources of stress and how to use stress reduction techniques. The parents are involved in the evaluation process.
The nurse is assessing the Tanner stage in an adolescent male. The nurse recognizes that the stages are based on what?
Size and shape of the penis and scrotum and distribution of pubic hair In males, the Tanner stages describe pubertal development based on the size and shape of the penis and scrotum and the shape and distribution of pubic hair. During puberty, hair begins to grow on the face and chest; the voice becomes deeper; and muscles grow in the arms, legs, and shoulders, but these are not used for the Tanner stages.
What diagnostic test for allergies involves the injection of specific allergens?
Skin testing Skin testing is the most commonly used diagnostic test for allergy. A specific allergen is injected under the skin, and after a suitable time, the size of the resultant wheal is measured to determine the patient's sensitivity. Phadiatop is a screening test that uses a blood sample to assess for IgE antibodies for a group of specific allergens. RAST determines the level of specific IgE antibodies. Blood examination for total IgE would not distinguish among allergens.
The school nurse recognizes that students who are targeted for repeated harassment and bullying may exhibit what? (Select all that apply.)
Skip school Attempt suicide Bring weapons to school Report symptoms of depression Students targeted for repeated teasing and harassment are more likely to skip school, to report symptoms of depression, and to attempt suicide. Equally troubling, teens who are regularly harassed or bullied are also more likely to bring weapons to school to feel safe. Students who are bullied do not want to attend extracurricular activities.
A child age 4 1/2 years sometimes wakes her parents up at night screaming, thrashing, sweating, and apparently frightened, yet she is not aware of her parents' presence when they check on her. She lies down and sleeps without any parental intervention. This is most likely what?
Sleep terror This is a description of a sleep terror. The child is observed during the episode and not disturbed unless there is a possibility of injury. A child who awakes from a nightmare is distressed. She is aware of and reassured by the parent's presence. This is not the case with sleep apnea. This behavior is not indicative of seizure activity.
Children who are taking long-term inhaled steroids should be assessed frequently for what potential complication?
Slowed growth The growth of children on long-term inhaled steroids should be assessed frequently to evaluate systemic effects of these drugs. Cough is prevented by inhaled steroids. No evidence exists that inhaled steroids cause osteoporosis. Cushing syndrome is caused by long-term systemic steroids.
Which is the most frequently used test for measuring visual acuity?
Snellen letter chart The Snellen letter chart, which consists of lines of letters of decreasing size, is the most frequently used test for visual acuity. The Ishihara Vision Test is used for color vision. The Allen picture card test and Denver eye screening test involve single cards for children ages 2 years and older who are unable to use the Snellen letter chart.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children younger than the age of 16 years be prohibited from participating in what?
Snowmobiling The AAP views the use of snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles as major health hazards for children. This group opposes the use of these vehicles by children younger than 16 years of age. The AAP recommends that children younger than the age of 10 years not use skateboards without parental supervision. Protective gear is always suggested. Trampoline use has increased along with injuries. Adults should supervise use. Horseback riding injuries are also a source of concern. Parents should determine the instructor's safety record with students.
The nurse understands that blocks to therapeutic communication include what? (Select all that apply.)
Socializing Using cliches Defending a situation Blocks to communication include socializing, using clichés, and defending a situation. Use of silence and using open-ended questions are therapeutic communication techniques.
The school nurse is discussing after-school sports participation with parents of children age 10 years. The nurse's presentation includes which important consideration?
Sports participation is encouraged if the type of sport is appropriate to the child's abilities. Virtually every child is suited for some type of sport. The child should be matched to the type of sport appropriate to his or her abilities and physical and emotional makeup. At this age, girls and boys have the same basic structure and similar responses to exercise and training. After puberty, teams should be gender specific because of the increased muscle mass in boys. Organized sports help children learn teamwork and skill acquisition. The emphasis should be on playing and learning. Children do enjoy appropriate levels of competition.
What dysfunctional speech pattern is a normal characteristic of the language development of a preschool child?
Stammering Stammering and stuttering are normal dysfluency in preschool-age children. Lisps are not a normal characteristic of language development. Echolalia and repetition are traits of toddlers' language.
Children are taught the values of their culture through observation and feedback relative to their own behavior. In teaching a class on cultural competence, the nurse should be aware that which factor may be culturally determined?
Status Status is culturally determined and varies according to each culture. Some cultures ascribe higher status to age or socioeconomic position. Social roles also are influenced by the culture. Ethnicity is an affiliation of a set of persons who share a unique cultural, social, and linguistic heritage. It is one component of culture. Race and culture are two distinct attributes. Whereas racial grouping describes transmissible traits, culture is determined by the pattern of assumptions, beliefs, and practices that unconsciously frames or guides the outlook and decisions of a group of people. Cultural development may be limited by geographic boundaries, but the boundaries are not culturally determined.
Which is an appropriate recommendation in preventing tooth decay in young children?
Substitute sugarless gum for regular gum. Regular gum has high sugar content. When the child chews gum, the sugar is in prolonged contact with the teeth. Sugarless gum is less cariogenic than regular gum. Raisins, honey, and molasses are highly cariogenic and should be avoided. Sweets should be consumed with meals so that the teeth can be cleaned afterward. This decreases the amount of time that the sugar is in contact with the teeth.
What tests aid in the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF)?
Sweat test, stool for fat, chest radiography A sweat test result of greater than 60 mEq/L is diagnostic of CF, a high level of fecal fat is a gastrointestinal manifestation of CF, and a chest radiograph showing patchy atelectasis and obstructive emphysema indicates CF. Bronchoscopy, duodenal fluid analysis, stool tests for trypsin, and intestinal biopsy are not helpful in diagnosing CF. Gastric contents normally contain hydrochloride; it is not diagnostic.
A 3-month-old infant is admitted to the pediatric unit for treatment of bronchiolitis. The infant's vital signs are T, 101.6° F; P, 106 beats/min apical; and R, 70 breaths/min. The infant is irritable and fussy and coughs frequently. IV fluids are given via a peripheral venipuncture. Fluids by mouth were initially contraindicated for what reason?
Tachypnea Fluids by mouth may be contraindicated because of tachypnea, weakness, and fatigue. Therefore, IV fluids are preferred until the acute stage of bronchiolitis has passed. Infants with bronchiolitis may have paroxysmal coughing, but fluids by mouth would not be contraindicated. Irritability or fever would not be reasons for fluids by mouth to be contraindicated.
The nurse is planning play activities for a 2-month-old hospitalized infant to stimulate the auditory sense. Which activities should the nurse implement? (Select all that apply.)
Talk to the infant Play a music box Give the infant a small-handled clear rattle Auditory stimulation appropriate for a 2-month-old infant includes talking to the infant, playing a music box, and giving the infant a small-handled clear rattle. Placing a squeaky doll in the crib is appropriate for an infant 6 months of age or older.
What characteristic best describes the language skills of a 3-year-old child?
Talks incessantly regardless of whether anyone is listening Because of the dramatic vocabulary increase at this age, 3-year-old children are known to talk incessantly regardless of whether anyone is listening. A 4- to 5-year-old child asks lots of questions and can follow simple directional commands. A 6-year-old child can describe an object according to its composition.
What child behavior indicates to the nurse that temper tantrums have become a problem? (Select all that apply.)
Tantrums occur past 5 years of age Tantrums last longer than 15 minutes Tantrums occur more than 5 times a day Temper tantrums are common during the toddler years and essentially represent normal developmental behaviors. However, temper tantrums can be signs of serious problems. Temper tantrums that occur past 5 years of age, last longer than 15 minutes, or occur more than five times a day are considered abnormal and may indicate a serious problem. A popular time for a tantrum is before bedtime.
When teaching injury prevention during the school-age years, what should the nurse include?
Teach basic rules of water safety Water safety instruction is an important component of injury prevention at this age. The child should be taught to swim, select safe and supervised places to swim, swim with a companion, check sufficient water depth for diving, and use an approved flotation device. Teach stranger safety, not fear of strangers. This includes telling the child not to go with strangers, not to wear personalized clothing in public places, to tell parents if anyone makes child feel uncomfortable, and to say no in uncomfortable situations. Teach the child safe cooking. Caution against engaging in dangerous sports such as jumping on trampolines.
The nurse is teaching parents about safety for their "latchkey" children. What should the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)
Teach the child weather-related safety Emphasize fire safety rules and conduct practice fire drills Safety for "latchkey" children includes teaching the child first-aid procedures, teaching the child weather-related safety, and emphasizing fire safety rules and conducting practice fire drills. Teach the child not to display keys and to always lock doors. The child should be taught to not open the door to anyone, even delivery people.
During the preschool period, the emphasis of injury prevention should be placed on what?
Teaching about safety and potential hazards Education about safety and potential hazards is appropriate for preschoolers because they can begin to understand dangers. Limitation of physical activities is not appropriate. Punishment may make children scared of trying new things. Constant vigilance and protection are not practical at this age because preschoolers are becoming more independent.
A 3-year-old child was adopted immediately after birth. The parents have just asked the nurse how they should tell the child that she is adopted. Which guideline concerning adoption should the nurse use in planning a response?
Telling the child is an important aspect of their parental responsibilities. It is important for the parents not to withhold information about the adoption from the child. It is an essential component of the child's identity. There is no recommended best time to tell children. It is believed that children should be told young enough so they do not remember a time when they did not know. It should be done before the children enter school to prevent third parties from telling the children before the parents have had the opportunity.
A 17-month-old child should be expected to be in which stage, according to Piaget?
Tertiary circular reactions A 17-month-old is in the fifth stage of the sensorimotor phase, tertiary circular reactions. The child uses active experimentation to achieve previously unattainable goals. Preoperations is the stage of cognitive development usually present in older toddlers and preschoolers. Concrete operations is the cognitive stage associated with school-age children. The secondary circular reaction stage lasts from about ages 4 to 8 months.
In boys, what is the initial indication of puberty?
Testicular enlargement Testicular enlargement is the first change that signals puberty in boys; it usually occurs between the ages of 9 1/2 and 14 years during Tanner stage 2. Voice change occurs between Tanner stages 3 and 4. Fine pubic hair may occur at the base of the penis; darker hair occurs during Tanner stage 3. The penis enlarges during Tanner stage 3.
The nurse is interviewing the father of a 10-month-old girl. The child is playing on the floor when she notices an electrical outlet and reaches up to touch it. Her father says "no" firmly and moves her away from the outlet. The nurse should use this opportunity to teach the father what?
That the child is old enough to understand the word "no" By age 10 months, children are able to associate meaning with words. The father is using both verbal and physical cues to alert the child to dangerous situations. A time-out is not appropriate. The child is just learning about the environment. Physical discipline should be avoided. The 10-month-old child is too young to understand the purpose of an electrical outlet.
Two hospitalized adolescents are playing pool in the activity room. Neither of them seems enthusiastic about the game. How should the nurse interpret this situation?
The adolescents may be enjoying themselves but have lower energy levels than healthy children. Children who are ill and hospitalized typically have lower energy levels than healthy children. Therefore, children may not appear enthusiastic about an activity even when they are enjoying it. Pool is an appropriate activity for adolescents. They have the cognitive and psychomotor skills that are necessary. If the adolescents were significantly depressed, they would be unable to engage in the game.
What does the nurse understand about caloric needs for school-age children?
The caloric needs for school-age children are lower than they were in the preschool years. School-age children do not need to be fed as carefully, as promptly, or as frequently as before. Caloric needs are lower than they were in the preschool years and lower than they will be during the coming adolescent growth spurt.
A child has a streptococcal throat infection and is being treated with antibiotics. What should the nurse teach the parents to prevent infection of others?
The child can return to school after taking antibiotics for 24 hours. Children with streptococcal infection are noninfectious to others 24 hours after initiation of antibiotic therapy. It is generally recommended that children not return to school or daycare until they have been taking antibiotics for a full 24-hour period. The organism is spread by close contact with affected persons—direct projection of large droplets or physical transfer of respiratory secretions containing the organism.
The nurse is caring for a child on oxygen being delivered by a nasal cannula. What is the advantage of delivering oxygen in this manner?
The child is able to eat and talk while getting oxygen An advantage of delivering oxygen by nasal cannula is that the child is able to eat and talk while getting oxygen. This method cannot deliver mist or higher concentrations of oxygen. A disadvantage of this method is that it may cause abdominal distention.
What statement characterizes moral development in the older school-age child?
The child is able to judge an act by the intentions that prompted it rather than just by the consequences. Older school-age children are able to judge an act by the intentions that prompted the behavior rather than just by the consequences. Rule violation is likely to be viewed in relation to the total context in which it appears. Rules and judgments become less absolute and authoritarian. The situation and the morality of the rule itself influence reactions.
The nurse's approach when introducing hospital equipment to a preschooler who seems afraid should be based on which principle?
The child may think the equipment is alive Young children attribute human characteristics to inanimate objects. They often fear that the objects may jump, bite, cut, or pinch all by themselves without human direction. Equipment should be kept out of sight until needed. Simple, concrete explanations about what the equipment does and how it will feel will help alleviate the child's fear. Preschoolers need repeated explanations as reassurance.
A parent asks the nurse, "When will I know my child is ready for toilet training?" The nurse should include what in the response? (Select all that apply.)
The child should be able to sit, walk, and squat The child should have regular bowel movements The child should express a willingness to please Signs of toilet training readiness include physical and psychological readiness. The ability to sit, walk, and squat and having regular bowel movements are physical readiness signs. Expressing a willingness to please is a sign of psychological readiness. The child should be able to stay dry for 2 hours, not 1.
The nurse is teaching a parent of an 18-month-old about developmental milestones associated with feeding. What should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
The child will be able to hold a cup with both hands The child will be able to drink from a cup with a lid The child will begin to use a spoon but may turn it before reaching the mouth An 18-month-old child can hold a cup with both hands, is able to drink from a cup with a lid, and begins to use a spoon but may turn it before reaching the mouth. Using a fork is a developmental milestone of a 36-month-old child. Using a straw and cup is a milestone seen at 24 months.
The parent of 2-week-old infant asks the nurse if fluoride supplements are necessary because the infant is exclusively breastfed. What is the nurse's best response?
The infant may need to begin taking them at age 6 months Fluoride supplementation is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics beginning at age 6 months if the child is not drinking adequate amounts of fluoridated water. Supplementation is not recommended before age 6 months regardless of whether the mother drinks fluoridated water. Infant cereal is not recommended at 2 weeks of age.
The nurse is performing an assessment on a 10-week-old infant. The nurse understands that the developmental characteristic of hearing at this age is which?The infant turns his head to the side when sound is made at the level of the ear.
The infant turns his head to the side when sound is made at the level of the ear. At 8 to 12 weeks of age, the infant turns the head to the side when sound is made at the level of the ear. At 16 to 24 weeks, the infant locates sound by turning the head to the side and then looking up or down. At 24 to 32 weeks, infants respond to their own name. At 32 to 40 weeks, the infant localizes sounds by turning the head directly toward the sound.
The nurse encourages the mother of a toddler with acute laryngotracheobronchitis to stay at the bedside as much as possible. What is the primary rationale for this action?
The mother's presence will reduce anxiety and ease the child's respiratory efforts. The family's presence will decrease the child's distress. It is true that mothers of hospitalized toddlers often experience guilt and that separation from mother is a major developmental threat for toddlers, but the main reason to keep parents at the child's bedside is to ease anxiety and therefore respiratory effort.
The Asian parent of a child being seen in the clinic avoids eye contact with the nurse. What is the best explanation for this considering cultural differences?
The parent is showing respect for the nurse. In some ethnic groups, eye contact is avoided. In the Vietnamese culture, an individual may not look directly into the nurse's eyes as a sign of respect. The nurse providing culturally competent care would recognize that the other answers listed are not why the parent avoids eye contact with the nurse.
A Hispanic toddler has pneumonia. The nurse notices that the parent consistently feeds the child only the broth that comes on the clear liquid tray. Food items, such as Jell-O, Popsicles, and juices, are left. Which statement best explains this?
The parent is trying to restore normal balance through appropriate "hot" remedies In several cultures, including Filipino, Chinese, Arabic, and Hispanic, hot and cold describe certain properties completely unrelated to temperature. Respiratory conditions such as pneumonia are "cold" conditions and are treated with "hot" foods. The child may like broth but is unlikely to always prefer it to Jell-O, Popsicles, and juice. The evil eye applies to a state of imbalance of health, not curative actions. Chinese individuals, not Hispanic individuals, believe in chi as an innate energy.
The school nurse needs to obtain authorization for a child who requires medications while at school. From whom does the nurse obtain the authorization?
The parents A child who requires medication during the school day requires written authorization from the parent or guardian. Most schools also require that the medication be in the original container appropriately labeled by the pharmacist or physician. Some schools allow children to receive over-the-counter medications with parental permission. The pharmacist may be asked to appropriately label the medication for use at the school, but authorization is not required. The school administration should have a policy in place that facilitates the administration of medications for children who need them. The prescribing practitioner is responsible for ensuring that the medication is appropriate for the child. Because the child is a minor, parental consent is required.
The nurse is teaching parents about toilet training. What should the nurse include in the teaching session?
The physiologic ability to control the sphincters occurs between 18 and 24 months. The physiologic ability to control the sphincters occurs somewhere between ages 18 and 24 months. Bowel training is usually accomplished before bladder training because of its greater regularity and predictability. The mastery of skills required for training are not present before 24 months of age. By 14 to 18 months of age, the child is able to retain urine for up to 2 hours or longer.
A 6-year-old child has patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for pain management after orthopedic surgery. The parents are worried that their child will be in pain. What should your explanation to the parents include?
The pump can deliver baseline and bolus dosages The PCA prescription can be set for a basal rate for a continuous infusion of pain medication. Additional doses can be administered by the patient, parent, or nurse as necessary. Although the goal of PCA is to have effective pain relief, a pain-free state may not be possible. With a 6-year-old child, the parents and nurse must assess the child to ensure that adequate medication is being given because the child may not understand the concept of pushing a button. Evidence-based practice suggests that effective analgesia can be obtained with the parents and nurse giving boluses as necessary. The prescription for the PCA includes how much medication can be given in a defined period. Monitoring every 1 to 2 hours for patient response is sufficient.
Which is an accurate description of homosexual (or gay-lesbian) families?
The quality of parenting is equivalent to that of nongay parents.
What is descriptive of the nutritional requirements of preschool children?
The quality of the food consumed is more important than the quantity Parents need to be reassured that the quality of food eaten is more important than the quantity. Children are able to self-regulate their intake when offered foods high in nutritional value. The average daily caloric intake should be approximately 1800 calories. Toddlers and preschoolers have similar nutritional requirements. There is an overall slight decrease in needed calories and fluids during the preschool period.
What is an important consideration when using the FACES pain rating scale with children?
The scale can be used with most children as young as 3 years The FACES scale is validated for use with children ages 3 years and older. Children point to the face that best describes their level of pain. The scale can be used through adulthood. The child's estimate of the pain should be used. The physiologic measures may not reflect more long-term pain.
What statement is the most descriptive of asthma?
There is heightened airway reactivity In asthma, spasm of the smooth muscle of the bronchi and bronchioles causes constriction, producing impaired respiratory function. Atopy, or development of an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated response, is inherited but is not the only cause of asthma. Asthma is characterized by increased resistance in the airway. Asthma has multiple causes, including allergens, irritants, exercise, cold air, infections, medications, medical conditions, and endocrine factors.
Adolescents often do not use reasoned decision making when issues such as substance abuse and sexual behavior are involved. What is this because of?
They are dealing with issues that are stressful and emotionally laden. In the face of time pressures, personal stress, or overwhelming peer pressure, young people are more likely to abandon rational thought processes. Many of the health-related decisions adolescents confront are emotionally laden or new. Under such conditions, many people do not use their capacity for formal decision making. The majority of adolescents have cognitive skills and are capable of reasoned decision making. Stress affects their ability to process information. Reasoned decision making should be used in issues that are crucial such as substance abuse and sexual behavior.
Why are cool-mist vaporizers rather than steam vaporizers recommended in the home treatment of respiratory infections?
They are safer Cool-mist vaporizers are safer than steam vaporizers, and little evidence exists to show any advantages to steam. The cost of cool-mist and steam vaporizers is comparable. Steam loosens secretions, not dries them. Both cool-mist vaporizers and steam vaporizers may promote a more comfortable environment, but cool-mist vaporizers have decreased risk for burns and growth of organisms.
What describes nonpharmacologic techniques for pain management?
They may reduce pain perception Nonpharmacologic techniques provide coping strategies that may help reduce pain perception, make the pain more tolerable, decrease anxiety, and enhance the effectiveness of analgesics. The nonpharmacologic strategy should be matched with the child's pain severity and be taught to the child before the onset of the painful experience. Tricking children into believing they do not have pain may mitigate the child's experience with mild pain, but the child will still know the discomfort was present.
The parents of a preterm infant in a neonatal intensive care unit are concerned about their infant experiencing pain from so many procedures. The nurse's response should be based on which characteristic about preterm infants' pain?
They perceive and react to pain in much the same manner as children and adults. Numerous research studies have indicated that preterm and newborn infants perceive and react to pain in the same manner as children and adults. Preterm infants can have significant reactions to painful stimuli. Pain can cause oxygen desaturation and global stress response. These physiologic effects must be avoided by use of appropriate analgesia. Painful stimuli cause a global stress response, including cardiorespiratory changes, palmar sweating, increased intracranial pressure, and hormonal and metabolic changes. Adequate analgesia and anesthesia are necessary to decrease the stress response.
The nurse is caring for a hospitalized 4-year-old boy. His parents tell the nurse they will be back to visit at 6 PM. When he asks the nurse when his parents are coming, what would the nurse's best response be?
They will come after dinner A 4-year-old child understands time in relation to events such as meals. Children perceive "soon" as a very short time. The nurse may lose the child's trust if his parents do not return in the time he perceives as "soon." Children cannot read or use a clock for practical purposes until age 7 years. "I will tell you every time I see you how much longer it will be" assumes the child understands the concepts of hours and minutes, which does not occur until age 5 or 6 years
Parents of an 18-month-old boy tells the nurse that he says "no" to everything and has rapid mood swings. If he is scolded, he shows anger and then immediately wants to be held. What is the nurse's best interpretation of this behavior?
This is normal behavior for his age Toddlers use distinct behaviors in the quest for autonomy. They express their will with continued negativity and use of the word "no." Children at this age also have rapid mood swings. The nurse should reassure the parents that their child is engaged in expected behavior for an 18-month-old.
Although a 14-month-old girl received a shock from an electrical outlet recently, her parent finds her about to place a paper clip in another outlet. Which is the best interpretation of this behavior?
This is typical behavior because of toddlers' inability to transfer remembering to new situations. During the tertiary circular reactions stage, children have only a rudimentary sense of the classification of objects. The appearance of an object denotes its function for these children. The slot of an outlet is for putting things into. This is typical behavior for a toddler, who is only somewhat aware of a causal relation between events. Her cognitive development is appropriate for her age.
According to Piaget, magical thinking is the belief of which?
Thoughts are all powerful Because of their egocentrism and transductive reasoning, preschoolers believe that thoughts are all powerful. Believing God is an imaginary friend is an example of concrete thinking in a preschooler's spiritual development. Cause-and-effect implies logical thought, not magical thinking. Believing that if the skin is broken, the insides will come out is an example of concrete thinking in development of body image.
What developmental achievements are demonstrated by a 4-year-old child? (Select all that apply.)
Throws a ball overhead Has a vocabulary of 1500 words Tends to be selfish and impatient Commonly has an imaginary playmate Developmental achievements for a 4-year-old child include throwing a ball overhead, having a vocabulary of 1500 words, tending to be selfish and impatient, and perhaps having an imaginary playmate. Caring for oneself totally and skipping and hopping on alternate feet are achievements normally seen in the 5-year-old age group.
What test measures the amount of air inhaled and exhaled during any respiratory cycle?
Tidal volume Tidal volume is defined as the amount of air inhaled and exhaled during any respiratory cycle. When it is multiplied by the respiratory rate, the minute volume is obtained. Forced vital capacity is the maximum amount of air that can be expired after maximum inspiration. It is used to monitor individuals with obstructive airway disease. Dynamic compliance is the relationship between the change in volume and pressure difference. Pulmonary resistance measures the changes in pressure with changes in flow on inspiration and expiration.
A child with asthma is having pulmonary function tests. What rationale explains the purpose of the peak expiratory flow rate?
To assess severity of asthma Peak expiratory flow rate monitoring is used to monitor the child's current pulmonary function. It can be used to manage exacerbations and for daily long-term management. The cause of asthma is known. Asthma is caused by a complex interaction among inflammatory cells, mediators, and the cells and tissues present in the airways. The triggers of asthma are determined through history taking and immunologic and other testing. The diagnosis of asthma is made through clinical manifestations, history, physical examination, and laboratory testing.
The nurse is planning care for a hospitalized toddler. What is the rationale for planning to continue the toddler's rituals while hospitalized?
To provide security Ritualism, the need to maintain sameness and reliability, provides a sense of security and comfort. It will not prevent regression or dependency or decrease negativism.
What factor is most important in predisposing toddlers to frequent infections?
Toddlers have short, straight internal ear canals and large lymph tissue. Toddlers continue to have the short, straight internal ear canals of infants. The lymphoid tissue of the tonsils and adenoids continues to be relatively large. These two anatomic conditions combine to predispose toddlers to frequent infections. The abdominal respirations and lowered pulse and respiratory rate of toddlers do not affect their susceptibility to infection. The defense mechanisms are more efficient compared with those of infancy.
The school nurse is presenting sexual information to a group of school-age girls. What approach should the nurse take when presenting the information?
Treat sex as a normal part of growth and development When nurses present sexual information to children, they should treat sex as a normal part of growth and development. Nurses should answer questions honestly, matter-of-factly, and at the children's level of understanding. School-age children may be more comfortable when boys and girls are segregated for discussions.
What are characteristics of early adolescence (11-14 years) with regard to identity? (Select all that apply.)
Trying out of various roles Conformity to group norms Preoccupied with rapid body changes Characteristics of early adolescence identity include trying out of various roles, conformity to group norms, and preoccupation with rapid body changes. Mature sexual identity and increase in self-esteem are characteristics of late adolescent identity.
In terms of gross motor development, what should the nurse expect an infant age 5 months to do?
Turn from the abdomen to the back Rolling from the abdomen to the back is developmentally appropriate for a 5-month-old infant. The ability to roll from the back to the abdomen is developmentally appropriate for an infant at age 6 months. Sitting erect without support is a developmental milestone usually achieved by 8 months. A 10-month-old infant can usually move from a prone to a sitting position.
During the 2-month well-child checkup, the nurse expects the infant to respond to sound in which manner?
Turn his or her head to side when sound is at ear level At 2 months of age, an infant should turn his or her head to the side when a noise is made at ear level. At birth, infants respond to sound with a startle or Moro reflex. An infant responds to his or her name and locates sounds by turning his or her head in a curving arc at age 6 to 9 months.
A 3-year-old child is experiencing pain after a tonsillectomy. The child has not taken in any fluids and does not want to drink anything, saying, "My tummy hurts." The following health care prescriptions are available: acetaminophen (Tylenol) PO (orally) or PR (rectally) PRN, ice chips, clear liquids. What should the nurse implement to relieve the child's pain?
Tylenol PR The throat is very sore after a tonsillectomy. Most children experience moderate pain after a tonsillectomy and need pain medication at regular intervals for at least the first 24 hours. Analgesics may need to be given rectally or intravenously to avoid the oral route.
Which parameter correlates best with measurements of total muscle mass?
Upper arm circumference Upper arm circumference is correlated with measurements of total muscle mass. Muscle serves as the body's major protein reserve and is considered an index of the body's protein stores. Height is reflective of past nutritional status. Weight is indicative of current nutritional status. Skinfold thickness is a measurement of the body's fat content.
A bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are needed on a school-age child. The most appropriate action to provide analgesia during the procedure is which?
Use a combination of fentanyl and midazolam for conscious sedation A bone marrow biopsy is a painful procedure. The combination of fentanyl and midazolam should be used to provide conscious sedation. TAC provides skin anesthesia about 15 minutes after it is applied to nonintact skin. The gel can be placed on a wound for suturing. It is not sufficient for a bone marrow biopsy. EMLA is an effective topical analgesic agent when applied to the skin 60 minutes before a procedure. It eliminates or reduces the pain from most procedures involving skin puncture. For this procedure, systemic analgesia is required. Transdermal fentanyl patches are useful for continuous pain control, not rapid pain control.
Which are effective auscultation techniques? (Select all that apply.)
Use a symmetric and orderly approach Warm the stethoscope before placing it on the skin Effective auscultation techniques include using a symmetric approach and warming the stethoscope before placing it on the skin. Breath sounds are best heard if the child inspires deeply, not shallowly. Firm, not light, pressure should be used on the chest piece. The stethoscope should be placed on the skin, not over clothing.
A family requires home care teaching with regard to preventative measures to use at home to avoid an asthmatic episode. What strategy should the nurse teach?
Use an indoor air purifier with HEPA filter Allergen control includes use of an indoor air purifier with HEPA filter. Humidity should be kept low, bedding laundered in hot water once a week, and carpet replaced with wood floors.
In terms of cognitive development, a 5-year-old child should be expected to do which?
Use magical thinking Magical thinking is believing that thoughts can cause events. An example is thinking of the death of a parent might cause it to happen. Abstract thought does not develop until the school-age years. The concept of conservation is the cognitive task of school-age children, ages 5 to 7 years. A 5-year-old child cannot understand another person's perspective.
The nurse needs to take the blood pressure of a small child. Of the cuffs available, one is too large and one is too small. The best nursing action is which?
Use the large cuff If blood pressure measurement is indicated and the appropriate size cuff is not available, the next larger size is used. The nurse recognizes that this may be a falsely low blood pressure. Using the small cuff will give an incorrectly high reading. The palpation method will not improve the inaccuracy inherent in the cuff.
Which is considered a block to effective communication?
Using cliches Using stereotyped comments or clichés can block effective communication. After the nurse uses such trite phrases, parents often do not respond. Silence can be an effective interviewing tool. Silence permits the interviewee to sort out thoughts and feelings and search for responses to questions. To be effective, the nurse must be able to direct the focus of the interview while allowing maximum freedom of expression. By using open-ended questions and guiding questions, the nurse can obtain the necessary information and maintain a relationship with the family. The nurse and parent must collaborate and define the problem that will be the focus of the nursing intervention.
The nurse is teaching parents of a 4-year-old child about socialization developmental milestones. What milestones should the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)
Very independent Has mood swings Tends to be selfish and impatient The socialization milestones of a 4-year-old child include being very independent, having moods swings, and tending to be selfish and impatient. Having better manners and being eager to do things right are socialization milestones seen at the age of 5 years.
The nurse is assessing breath sounds on a child. Which are expected auscultated breath sounds? (Select all that apply.)
Vesicular Bronchial Bronchovesicular Normal breath sounds are classified as vesicular, bronchovesicular, or bronchial. Wheezes or crackles are abnormal or adventitious sounds.
Which type of breath sound is normally heard over the entire surface of the lungs except for the upper intrascapular area and the area beneath the manubrium?
Vesicular This is the definition of vesicular breath sounds. They are heard over the entire surface of the lungs, with the exception of the upper intrascapular area and the area beneath the manubrium. Bronchial breath sounds are heard only over the trachea near the suprasternal notch. Adventitious breath sounds are not usually heard over the chest. These sounds occur in addition to normal or abnormal breath sounds. Bronchovesicular breath sounds are heard over the manubrium and in the upper intrascapular regions, where the trachea and bronchi bifurcate.
The nurse is preparing to administer some iron drops to a toddler. Which factor can increase iron absorption? (Select all that apply.)
Vitamin A Acidity (low pH) Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) Factors that increase iron absorption are vitamin A, acidity (low pH), and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Phosphates (milk) and malabsorptive disorders decrease absorption of iron.
The nurse is explaining about the developmental sequence in children's capacity to conserve matter to a group of parents. What type of matter is last in the sequence for a child to develop?
Volume There is a developmental sequence in children's capacity to conserve matter. Children usually grasp conservation of numbers (ages 5 to 6 years) before conservation of substance. Conservation of liquids, mass, and length usually is accomplished at about ages 6 to 7 years, conservation of weight sometime later (ages 9 to 10 years), and conservation of volume or displacement last (ages 9 to 12 years).
Which characteristic best describes the gross motor skills of a 24-month-old child?
Walks up and down stairs A 24-month-old child can go up and down stairs alone with two feet on each step. Skipping and broad jumping are skills acquired at age 3 years. Tricycle riding is achieved at age 4 years.
Which statement is correct about toilet training?
Wanting to please the parent helps motivate the child to use the toilet. Voluntary control of the anal and urethral sphincters is achieved sometime after the child is walking. The child must be able to recognize the urge to let go and to hold on. The child must want to please the parent by holding on rather than pleasing him- or herself by letting go. Bowel training precedes bladder training. Watching older siblings provides role modeling and facilitates imitation for the toddler. The child should be introduced to the potty chair or toilet in a nonthreatening manner.
The school nurse is teaching bicycle safety to a group of school-age children. What should the nurse include in the session? (Select all that apply.)
Watch for and yield to pedestrians Ride bicycles with traffic away from parked cars Keep both hands on the handlebars except she signaling Bicycle safety includes watching for and yielding to pedestrians, riding bicycles with traffic away from parked cars, and keeping both hands on handlebars except when signaling. It is best to ride single file, not double file, and never to ride double on a bicycle.
When caring for a child after a tonsillectomy, what intervention should the nurse do?
Watch for continuous swallowing Continuous swallowing, especially while sleeping, is an early sign of bleeding. The child swallows the blood that is trickling from the operative site. Gargling is discouraged because it could irritate the operative site. Ice compresses are recommended to reduce inflammation. The child should be positioned on the side or abdomen to facilitate drainage of secretions.
The nurse is performing an otoscopic examination on a child. Which are normal findings the nurse should expect? (Select all that apply.)
Well-defined light reflex Small, round, concave spot near the center of the drum Whitish line extending from the umbo upward to the margin of the membrane Normal findings include the light reflex and bony landmarks. The light reflex is a fairly well-defined, cone-shaped reflection that normally points away from the face. The bony landmarks of the eardrum are formed by the umbo, or tip of the malleus. It appears as a small, round, opaque, concave spot near the center of the eardrum. The manubrium (long process or handle) of the malleus appears to be a whitish line extending from the umbo upward to the margin of the membrane. The tympanic membrane should be light pearly pink or gray and translucent, not nontransparent. Ashen gray areas indicate signs of scarring from a previous perforation.
How is family systems theory best described?
When the family system is disrupted, change can occur at any point in the system. Family systems theory describes an interactional model. Any change in one member will create change in others. Although the family is the sum of the individual members, family systems theory focuses on the number of dyad interactions that can occur. The interactions, not the individual members, are considered to be the problem.
Rectal temperatures are indicated in which situation?
Whenever accuracy is essential Rectal temperatures are recommended when definitive measurements are necessary in infants older than age 1 month. Rectal temperatures are not done in the newborn period to avoid trauma to the rectal mucosa. Rectal temperature is an intrusive procedure that should be avoided whenever possible.
What factors can negatively affect parents' reactions to their child's illness? (Select all that apply.)
additional stresses lack of support systems seriousness of the threat to the child The factors that can negatively affect parents' reactions to their child's illness are additional stresses, lack of support systems, and the seriousness of the threat to the child. Previous coping abilities and previous experience with hospitalization would have a positive effect on coping.
Cognitive development influences response to pain. What age group is most concerned with the fear of losing control during a painful experience?
adolescents Adolescents view illness as physiologic (an organ malfunction) and psychophysiologic (psychologic factors that affect health). Adolescents usually approach pain with self-control. They are concerned with remaining composed and feel embarrassed and ashamed of losing control. Toddlers and preschoolers react to pain primarily as a physical, concrete experience. Preschoolers may try to escape a procedure with verbal statements such as "go away." Young school-age children may view pain as punishment for wrongdoing. This age group fears bodily harm.
Homeopathy
alternative medical system
The nurse is notified that a 9-year-old boy with nephrotic syndrome is being admitted. Only semiprivate rooms are available. What roommate should be best to select?
an 8-year old boy with a fractured femur An 8-year-old boy with a fractured femur would be the best choice for a roommate. The boys are similar in age. The child with nephrotic syndrome most likely will be on immunosuppressive agents and susceptible to infection. The child with a fractured femur is not infectious. A girl should not be a good roommate for a school-age boy. In addition, the 10-year-old girl with pneumonia and the 10-year-old boy with a ruptured appendix have infections and could pose a risk for the child with nephrotic syndrome.
The nurse is doing a prehospitalization orientation for a girl, age 7 years, who is scheduled for cardiac surgery. As part of the preparation, the nurse explains that after the surgery, the child will be in the intensive care unit. How might the explanation by the nurse be viewed?
an appropriate part of the child's preparation The explanation is a necessary part of preoperative preparation and will help reduce the anxiety associated with surgery. If the child wakes in the intensive care unit and is not prepared for the environment, she will be even more anxious. This is a joint responsibility of nursing, medical staff, and child life personnel.
Labyrinth righting
an infant in the rome or supine position is able to raise his or her head
What are signs and symptoms of the stage of detachment in relation to separation anxiety in young children? (Select all that apply.)
appears happy forms new but superficial relationships interacts with strangers or familiar caregivers Manifestations of the stage of detachment seen in children during a hospitalization may include appearing happy, forming new but superficial relationships, and interacting with strangers or familiar caregivers. Lacking interest in the environment and regressing to an earlier behavior are manifestations seen in the stage of despair.
A child, age 4 years, tells the nurse that she "needs a Band-Aid" where she had an injection. What nursing action should the nurse implement?
apply a band-aid Children in this age group still fear that their insides may leak out at the injection site. The nurse should be prepared to apply a small Band-Aid after the injection. No explanation should be required.
Parents tell the nurse that siblings of their hospitalized child are feeling "left out." What suggestions should the nurse make to the parents to assist the siblings to adjust to the hospitalization of their brother or sister? (Select all that apply.)
arrange for visits to the hospital encourage phone calls to the hospitalized child make or buy inexpensive toys or trinkets for the siblings identify an extended family member to be their support system Strategies to support siblings during hospitalization include arranging for visits, encouraging phone calls, giving inexpensive gifts, and identifying a support person. Information should be shared with the siblings not limited.
The parents of a 4-month-old infant cannot visit except on weekends. What action by the nurse indicates an understanding of the emotional needs of a young infant?
assign her to the same nurse as much as possible The infant is developing a sense of trust. This is accomplished by the consistent, loving care of a nurturing person. If the parents are unable to visit, then the same staff nurses should be used as much as possible. Placing her in a room away from other children would isolate the child. The parents should be encouraged to visit. The nurse should describe how the staff will care for the infant in their absence.
The nurse needs to assess a 15-month-old child who is sitting quietly on his father's lap. What initial action by the nurse would be most appropriate?
begin the assessment while the child is in his father's lap For young children, particularly infants and toddlers, preserving parent-child contact is a good way of decreasing stress or the need for physical restraint during an assessment. For example, much of a patient's physical examination can be done with the patient in a parent's lap with the parent providing reassuring and comforting contact. The initial action would be to begin the assessment while the child is in his father's lap.
Vitamins
biologically based
The psychosexual conflicts of preschool children make them extremely vulnerable to which threat?
bodily injury and pain The psychosexual conflicts of children in this age group make them vulnerable to threats of bodily injury. Intrusive procedures, whether painful or painless, are threatening to preschoolers, whose concept of body integrity is still poorly developed. Loss of control, loss of identity, and separation anxiety are not related to psychosexual conflicts.
The nurse is caring for a 10-year-old child during a long hospitalization. What intervention should the nurse include in the care plan to minimize loss of control and autonomy during the hospitalization?
create a calendar with special events such as a visit from a friend to maintain a routine School-age children may feel an overwhelming loss of control and autonomy during a longer hospitalization. One intervention to minimize this loss of control is to create a calendar with planned special events such as a visit from a friend. Maintaining the child's daily routine is another intervention to minimize the sense of loss of control; allowing the child to skip morning self-care activities, sleep later, or stay up later would work against this goal. Environments should be as nonrestrictive as possible to allow the child freedom to move about, thus allowing a sense of autonomy.
Race
distinguishes humans by physical traits
In teaching parents about appropriate pacifier selection, the nurse should recommend which characteristic?
easily grasped handle A good pacifier should be easily grasped by the infant. One-piece construction is necessary to avoid having the nipple and guard separate, posing a risk for aspiration. The material should be sturdy and flexible. If the pacifier is too pliable, it may be aspirated. No ribbon or string should be attached. This poses additional risks.
pure vegetarians (vegans)
eliminate all foods of animal origin, including milk and eggs
macrobiotics
eliminate all foods of animal origin, including milk and eggs, allowing only a few types of fruits, vegetables, and legumes
What are core principles of patient- and family-centered care? (Select all that apply.)
empowering families providing formal and informal support Core principles of patent- and family-centered care include collaboration, empowerment, and providing formal and informal support. There should be flexibility in policy and procedures, and communication should be complete, honest, and unbiased, not withheld.
Reiki
energy based
The mother of a 7-month-old infant newly diagnosed with cystic fibrosis is rooming in with her infant. She is breastfeeding and provides all the care except for the medication administration. What should the nurse include in the plan of care?
ensuring that the mother has time away from the infant The mother needs sufficient rest and nutrition so she can be effective as a caregiver. While the infant is hospitalized, the care is the responsibility of the nursing staff. The mother should be made comfortable with the care the staff provides in her absence. The mother has a right to provide care for the infant. The nursing staff and the mother should agree on the care division.
lactovegetarians
exclude meat and eggs but drink milk
Lacto ovo vegetarians
exclude meat from their diet but consume dairy products and rarely fish
semi vegetarians
exclude meat from their diet but consume dairy products with some fish and poultry
An 8-year-old girl is being admitted to the hospital from the emergency department with an injury from falling off her bicycle. What intervention will help her most in her adjustment to the hospital?
explain hospital schedules to her, such as mealtimes School-age children need to have control of their environment. The nurse should offer explanations or prepare the child for what to expect. The nurse should refer to the child by the preferred name. Explaining when parents can visit and why siblings cannot come focuses on the limitations rather than helping her adjust to the hospital. At the age of 8 years, the child should be oriented to the environment along with the parents.
What behavior should most likely be manifested in an infant experiencing the protest phase of separation anxiety?
inconsolable and crying For older infants, being inconsolable and crying is seen during the protest phase of separation anxiety. Inactivity is observed during the stage of despair. The child is much less active and withdraws from others. Depression, sadness, and regression to earlier behaviors are observed during the phase of despair.
Social class
incorporates levels of education, occupation, income, and access to resources
Gender
individual's self-identification as man or woman
A 9-year-old boy has an unplanned admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) after abdominal surgery. The nursing staff has completed the admission process, and his condition is beginning to stabilize. When speaking with the parents, the nurse should expect what additional stressor to be evident?
insufficient remembering of his condition and routine ICUs, especially when the family is unprepared for the admission, are strange and unfamiliar. There are many pieces of unfamiliar equipment, and the sights and sounds are much different from those of a general hospital unit. Also, with the child's condition being more precarious, it may be difficult to keep the parents updated on what is happening. Lights are usually on around the clock, seriously disrupting the diurnal rhythm. In most ICUs, the staff works with a sense of urgency. It is difficult for parents to ask questions about their child when staff is with other patients. Usually little privacy is available for families in ICUs.
A parent needs to leave a hospitalized toddler for a short period of time. What action should the nurse suggest to the parent to ease the separation for the toddler?
leave a favorite article from home with the child If the parents cannot stay with the child, they should leave favorite articles from home with the child, such as a blanket, toy, bottle, feeding utensil, or article of clothing. Because young children associate such inanimate objects with significant people, they gain comfort and reassurance from these possessions. They make the association that if the parents left this, the parents will surely return. Bringing a new toy would not help with the separation. The parent should not leave when the child is distracted, and toddlers would not understand when the parent should return because time is not a concept they understand.
The nurse is assessing a family's use of complementary medicine practices. What practices are classified as nutrition, diet, and lifestyle or behavioral health changes? (Select all that apply.)
macrobiotics megavitamins health risk education Macrobiotics, megavitamins, and health risk reduction are classified as nutrition, diet, and lifestyle or behavioral health changes. Reflexology and chiropractic medicine are classified as structural manipulation and energetic therapies.
What nursing interventions should the nurse plan for a hospitalized toddler to minimize fear of bodily injury? (Select all that apply.)
maintain parent-child contact use progressively smaller dressings on surgical incisions Whenever procedures are performed on young children, the most supportive intervention to minimize the fear of bodily injury is to do the procedure as quickly as possible while maintaining parent-child contact. Because of toddlers' and preschool children's poorly defined body boundaries, the use of bandages may be particularly helpful. For example, telling children that the bleeding will stop after the needle is removed does little to relieve their fears, but applying a small Band-Aid usually reassures them. The size of bandages is also significant to children in this age group; the larger the bandage, the more importance is attached to the wound. Watching their surgical dressings become successively smaller is one way young children can measure healing and improvement. Prematurely removing a dressing may cause these children considerable concern for their well-being.
Massage
manipulative treatment
Hypnosis
mind-body technique
Parents of a hospitalized child often question the skill of staff. The nurse interprets this behavior by the parents as what?
normal Recent research has identified common themes among parents whose children were hospitalized, including feeling an overall sense of helplessness, questioning the skills of staff, accepting the reality of hospitalization, needing to have information explained in simple language, dealing with fear, coping with uncertainty, and seeking reassurance from the health care team. The behavior does not indicate the parents are paranoid, indifferent, or wanting attention.
What parents should have the most difficult time coping with their child's hospitalization?
parents of the child hospitalized for sepsis resulting from an untreated injury Factors that affect parents' reactions to their child's illness include the seriousness of the threat to the child. The parents of a child hospitalized for sepsis resulting from an untreated injury would have more difficulty coping because of the seriousness of the illness and because the wound was not treated immediately.
The parents tell a nurse "our child is having some short-term negative outcomes since the hospitalization." The nurse recognizes that what can negatively affect short-term negative outcomes? (Select all that apply.)
parents' anxiety length of hospitalization multiple invasive procedures The stressors of hospitalization may cause young children to experience short- and long-term negative outcomes. Adverse outcomes may be related to the length and number of admissions, multiple invasive procedures, and the parents' anxiety. Consistent nurses would have a positive effect on short-term negative outcomes. The number of visitors does not have an effect on negative outcomes.
The nurse is providing support to parents adapting to the hospitalization of their child to the pediatric intensive care unit. The nurse notices that the parents keep asking the same questions. What should the nurse do?
patiently continue to answer questions, trying different approaches In addition to a general pediatric unit, children may be admitted to special facilities such as an ambulatory or outpatient setting, an isolation room, or intensive care. Wherever the location, the core principles of patient and family-centered care provide a foundation for all communication and interventions with the patient, family, and health care team. The nurse should do the therapeutic action and patiently continue to answer questions, trying different approaches.
Ethnicity
persons who have unique cultural, social, and linguistic heritage
A 6-year-old is being discharged home, which is 90 miles from the hospital, after an outpatient hernia repair. In addition to explicit discharge instructions, what should the nurse provide?
prescribed pain medications before discharge The nurse should anticipate that the child will begin experiencing pain on the trip home. By providing a dose of oral analgesia, the nurse can ensure the child remains comfortable during the trip. Transport by ambulance is not indicated for a hernia repair. Discharge instructions should be written. The parents will be focusing on their child and returning home, which limits their ability to retain information. The parents should know the most expedient route home.
Socialization
process by which society communicates its competencies, values, and expectations
When a preschool-age child is hospitalized without adequate preparation, the nurse should recognize that the child may likely see hospitalization as what?
punishment The rationale for preparing children for the hospital experience and related procedures is based on the principle that a fear of the unknown (fantasy) exceeds fear of the known. Preschool-age children see hospitalization as a punishment. Loss of parental love would be a toddler's reaction. Threat to the child's self-image would be a school-age child's reaction. Loss of companionship with friends would be an adolescent's reaction.
What factors influence the effects of a child's hospitalization on siblings? (Select all that apply.)
receiving little information about their ill brother or sister being cared for outside the home by care providers who are not relatives perceiving that their parents treat them differently compared with before their sibling's hospitalization Various factors have been identified that influence the effects of a child's hospitalization on siblings. Factors that are related specifically to the hospital experience and increase the effects on the sibling are being cared for outside the home by care providers who are not relatives, receiving little information about their ill brother or sister, and perceiving that their parents treat them differently compared with before their sibling's hospitalization. Being younger, not older, and experiencing many changes, not minimal changes, are factors that influence the effects of a child's hospitalization on siblings.
The nurse relates to parents that there are some beneficial effects of hospitalization for their child. What are beneficial effects of hospitalization? (Select all that apply.)
recovery from illness improve coping abilities opportunity to master stress provide new socialization experiences The most obvious benefit is the recovery from illness, but hospitalization also can present an opportunity for children to master stress and feel competent in their coping abilities. The hospital environment can provide children with new socialization experiences that can broaden their interpersonal relationships. Having a break from school is not a benefit of hospitalization.
The nurse is assessing a family's use of complementary medicine practices. What practices are classified as mind-body control therapies? (Select all that apply.)
relaxation prayer therapy guided imagery Relaxation, prayer therapy, and guided imagery are classified as mind-body control therapies. Acupuncture and herbal medicine are classified as traditional and ethnomedicine therapies.
Because of their striving for independence and productivity, which age group of children is particularly vulnerable to events that may lessen their feeling of control and power?
school-age children When a child is hospitalized, the altered family role, physical disability, loss of peer acceptance, lack of productivity, and inability to cope with stress usurp individual power and identity. This is especially detrimental to school-age children, who are striving for independence and productivity and are now experiencing events that decrease their control and power. Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, although affected by loss of power, are not as significantly affected as school-age children.
What influences a child's reaction to the stressors of hospitalization? (Select all that apply.)
separation support systems developmental age previous experience with illness Major stressors of hospitalization include separation, loss of control, bodily injury, and pain. Children's reactions to these crises are influenced by their developmental age; previous experience with illness, separation, or hospitalization; innate and acquired coping skills; seriousness of the diagnosis; and support systems available. Gender does not have an effect on a child's reaction to stressors of hospitalization.
The nurse is instructing student nurses about the stress of hospitalization for children from middle infancy throughout the preschool years. What major stress should the nurse relate to the students?
separation anxiety The major stress from middle infancy throughout the preschool years, especially for children ages 6 to 30 months, is separation anxiety.
A 10-year-old girl needs to have another intravenous (IV) line started. She keeps telling the nurse, "Wait a minute," and, "I'm not ready." How should the nurse interpret this behavior?
this is expected behavior for a school-age child This school-age child is attempting to maintain some control over the hospital experience. The nurse should provide the girl with structured choices about when the IV line will be inserted. Preschoolers can view procedures as punishment; this is not typical behavior of a preschool-age child.
Body righting
turning the hips and shoulders to one side causes all the other body parts to follow
Otolith righting
when the body of an erect infant is tilted, the head is returned to an upright, erect position
Parachute
when the infant is suspended in a horizontal prone position and suddenly thrust downward, the hands and fingers extend forward as if to protect against falling
Landau
when the infant is suspended in a horizontal prone position, the head is raised and the legs and spine are extended
What are signs and symptoms of the stage of despair in relation to separation anxiety in young children? (Select all that apply.)
withdrawn from others uncommunicative regresses to early behaviors Manifestations of the stage of despair seen in children during a hospitalization may include withdrawing from others, being uncommunicative, and regressing to earlier behaviors. Clinging to parents and physically attacking a stranger should be seen during the stage of protest, and forming new but superficial relationships is seen during the stage of detachment.
