Peds Hematology practice questions
The mother of a 5-year-old girl brings the child to the clinic for an evaluation. The mother tells the nurse, "She seems to be so tired and irritable lately. And she looks so pale." Further assessment reveals pale conjunctiva and oral mucous membranes. The nurse suspects iron-deficiency anemia. Which additional finding would help provide additional evidence for this suspicion? A) Spooned nails B) Negative splenomegaly C) Oxygen saturation: 99% D) Bradycardia
A) Spooned nails
The nurse is teaching the parents of a child diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia about ways to increase their child's intake of iron. The parents demonstrate understanding of the teaching when they identify which foods as good choices for the child? Select all that apply. A) Tuna B) Salmon C) Tofu D) Cow's milk E) Dried fruits
A) Tuna B) Salmon C) Tofu E) Dried fruits
A nurse is leading a discussion with a group of new mothers about newborn nutrition and its importance for growth and development. One of the mothers asks, "Doesn't the baby get iron from me before birth?" Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate? A) "You give the baby some iron, but it is not enough to sustain him after birth." B) "Because the baby grows rapidly during the first months, he uses up what you gave him." C) "The iron you give him before birth is different from what he needs once he is born." D) "If the baby didn't use up what you gave him before birth, he excretes it soon after birth."
B) "Because the baby grows rapidly during the first months, he uses up what you gave him."
The nurse is caring for a 12-year-old boy with idiopathic thrombocytopenia. The nurse is providing discharge instructions about home care and safety recommendations to the boy and his parents. Which response indicates a need for further teaching? A) "We should avoid aspirin and drugs like ibuprofen." B) "He can resume participation in football in 2 weeks." C) "Swimming would be a great activity." D) "Our son cannot take any antihistamines."
B) "He can resume participation in football in 2 weeks."
The nurse is caring for a 13-year-old girl with von Willebrand disease. After teaching the adolescent and her parents about this disorder and care, which response by the parents indicates a need for additional teaching? A) "We need to administer Stimate prior to dental work." B) "We should be aware that she may suffer from menorrhagia." C) "We should administer desmopressin as often as needed." D) "We understand that she may have frequent nosebleeds."
C) "We should administer desmopressin as often as needed."
A 5-year-old girl is diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia and is to receive iron supplements. The child has difficulty swallowing tablets, so a liquid formulation is prescribed. After teaching the parents about administering the iron supplement, which statement indicates the need for additional teaching? A) "She needs to eat foods that are high in fiber so she doesn't get constipated." B) "We'll try to get her to drink lots of fluids throughout the day." C) "We will place the liquid in the front of her gums, just below her teeth." D) "We need to measure the liquid carefully so that we give her the correct amount."
C) "We will place the liquid in the front of her gums, just below her teeth."
A nurse is conducting a physical examination of a 5-year-old with suspected iron- deficiency anemia. How would the nurse evaluate for changes in neurologic functioning? A) "Open your mouth so I can look inside your cheeks and lips." B) "Do you have any bruises on your feet or shins?" C) "Will you show me how you walk across the room?" D) "Let me see the palms of your hands and soles of your feet."
C) "Will you show me how you walk across the room?"
The nurse is caring for a 9-year-old boy who is having chemotherapy. The nurse is developing a teaching plan for the child and family about nutrition. Which of the following would the nurse be least likely to include? A) Emphasizing the intake of grains, fruits, and vegetables B) Featuring high-fiber foods if opioid analgesics are being taken C) Concentrating on consuming primarily high-calorie shakes and puddings D) Avoiding milk products if diarrhea is a problem
C) Concentrating on consuming primarily high-calorie shakes and puddings
A child diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma has undergone abdominal surgery to remove the tumor. He is now receiving chemotherapy. Which nursing diagnosis would be most important? A) Risk for infection related to chemotherapy B) Impaired skin integrity related to abdominal surgery C) Grieving related to advanced disease and poor prognosis D) Imbalanced nutrition related to adverse effects of chemotherapy
C) Grieving related to advanced disease and poor prognosis
The nurse is caring for a child who has been admitted for a sickle cell crisis. Which of the following would the nurse do first to provide adequate pain management? A) Administer a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug as ordered. B) Use guided imagery and therapeutic touch. C) Administer meperidine as ordered. D) Initiate pain assessment with a standardized pain scale.
D) Initiate pain assessment with a standardized pain scale.
he nurse is caring for a 7-year-old girl who is undergoing a stem cell transplant. Which of the following would the nurse include in the child's postoperative plan of care? A) Assessing for petechiae, purpura, bruising, or bleeding B) Limiting blood draws to the minimum volume required C) Administering antiemetics around the clock as ordered D) Monitoring for severe diarrhea and maculopapular rash
D) Monitoring for severe diarrhea and maculopapular rash
Which statement by a mother may indicate a cause for her 9-month-old's iron deficiency anemia? a. "Formula is so expensive. We switched to regular milk right away." b. "She almost never drinks water." c. "She doesn't really like peaches or pears, so we stick to bananas for fruit." d. "I give her a piece of bread now and then. She likes to chew on it."
a. "Formula is so expensive. We switched to regular milk right away."
When both parents have sickle cell trait, which is the chance their children will have sickle cell anemia? a. 25% b. 50% c. 75% d. 100%
a. 25%
An adolescent will receive a bone marrow transplant (BMT). The nurse should explain that the bone marrow will be administered by which route? a. Bone grafting b. Bone marrow injection c. IV infusion d. Intra-abdominal infusion
c. IV infusion Bone marrow from a donor is infused intravenously, and the transfused stem cells will repopulate the marrow. Because the stem cells migrate to the recipient's marrow when given intravenously, this is the method of administration.
Which is the most effective pain-management approach for a child who is having a bone marrow aspiration? a. Relaxation techniques b. Administration of an opioid c. EMLA cream applied over site d. Conscious or unconscious sedation
d. Conscious or unconscious sedation
Which is often administered to prevent or control hemorrhage in a child with cancer? a. Nitrosoureas b. Platelets c. Whole blood d. Corticosteroids
b. Platelets
A 14-year-old boy is diagnosed with Hodgkin disease. When palpating for enlarged lymph nodes, the nurse would expect to find which nodes as most commonly enlarged? Select all answers that apply. A) Cervical B) Axillary C) Supraclavicular D) Occipital E) Inguinal
A) Cervical C) Supraclavicular
The nurse is assessing a child with aplastic anemia. Which of the following would the nurse expect to assess? Select all that apply. A) Ecchymoses B) Tachycardia C) Guaiac-positive stool D) Epistaxis E) Severe pain F) Warm tender joints
A) Ecchymoses B) Tachycardia C) Guaiac-positive stool D) Epistaxis
When providing care to a child with aplastic anemia, which nursing diagnosis most likely would be the priority? A) Risk for injury B) Imbalanced nutrition, less than body requirements C) Ineffective tissue perfusion D) Impaired gas exchange
A) Risk for injury
The nurse is caring for a 13-year-old boy with acute myelogenous leukemia who is experiencing feelings of powerlessness due to the effects of chemotherapy. Which of the following interventions will best help the teen's sense of control? A) Involving the boy in decisions whenever possible B) Acknowledging the boy's feelings of anger with the disease C) Providing realistic expectations of treatments and outcomes D) Recognizing abilities that are unaffected by the disease
A) Involving the boy in decisions whenever possible
The nurse is planning a discussion group for parents with children who have cancer. Which of the following would the nurse include when describing the differences between cancer in children and adults? A) Most childhood cancers affect the tissues rather than organs. B) Childhood cancers are usually localized when found. C) Unlike adult cancers, childhood cancers are less responsive to treatment. D) The majority of childhood cancers can be prevented.
A) Most childhood cancers affect the tissues rather than organs.
The nurse is caring for an 8-year-old girl who has been diagnosed with leukemia and will have a variety of tests, including a lumbar puncture, before beginning chemotherapy. Which of the following would be the priority? A) Applying EMLA to the lumbar puncture site B) Educating the child and family about the testing procedures C) Administering promethazine as ordered for nausea D) Educating the family about chemotherapy and its side effects
B) Educating the child and family about the testing procedures
The nurse is caring for a 5-year-old boy undergoing radiation treatment for a neuroblastoma. Which nursing diagnosis would be most applicable for this child? A) Activity intolerance related to anemia and weakness from medications B) Impaired skin integrity related to desquamation from cellular destruction C) Impaired oral mucosa related to the presence of oral lesions from malnutrition D) Imbalanced nutrition, less than body requirements related to nausea and vomiting
B) Impaired skin integrity related to desquamation from cellular destruction
A child is receiving fluorouracil as part of a chemotherapy protocol. Which of the following would be most important for the nurse to include in the child's plan of care? A) Monitoring for visual changes B) Maintaining adequate hydration C) Using prescribed eye drops to prevent conjunctivitis D) Avoiding administration with food or meals
B) Maintaining adequate hydration
The nurse is assessing a 3-year-old boy whose parents brought him to the clinic when they noticed that the right side of his abdomen was swollen. Which of the following findings would suggest this child has a neuroblastoma? A) The child has a maculopapular rash on his palms. B) The parents report that their son is vomiting and not eating well. C) The parents report that their son is irritable and not gaining weight. D) Auscultation reveals wheezing with diminished lung sounds.
B) The parents report that their son is vomiting and not eating well.
A child with iron-deficiency anemia is prescribed ferrous fumarate, 3 mg/kg/day in two divided doses. The nurse interprets this order as indicating which of the following? A) The child requires a prophylactic dose of iron. B)The child has mild to moderate iron deficiency. C) The child has severe iron deficiency. D) The child is being prepared for packed red blood cell administration.
B)The child has mild to moderate iron deficiency.
The nurse is teaching the parents of a child with a hematologic disorder about the functions of the various blood cells. The nurse determines that the teaching was successful when the parents state which blood cell as being primarily responsible for blood clotting? A)Granulocytes B)Erythrocytes C)Thrombocytes D)Leukocytes
C)Thrombocytes
The nurse is caring for a 16-year-old boy with acute myelogenous leukemia who is having chemotherapy and who has incomplete records for varicella zoster immunization. Which of the following will be the priority nursing diagnosis? A) Pain related to adverse effects of treatment verbalized by the child B) Nausea related to side effects of chemotherapy verbalized by the child C) Constipation related to the use of opioid analgesics for pain D) Risk for infection related to neutropenia and immunosuppression
D) Risk for infection related to neutropenia and immunosuppression
In which of the conditions are all the formed elements of the blood simultaneously depressed? a. Aplastic anemia b. Sickle cell anemia c. Thalassemia major d. Iron deficiency anemia
a. Aplastic anemia Aplastic anemia refers to a bone marrow-failure condition in which the formed elements of the blood are simultaneously depressed. Sickle cell anemia is a hemoglobinopathy in which normal adult hemoglobin is partly or completely replaced by abnormal sickle hemoglobin. Thalassemia major is a group of blood disorders characterized by deficiency in the production rate of specific hemoglobin globin chains. Iron deficiency anemia results in a decreased amount of circulating red cells.
What should be included in the nursing care of a 12-year-old child receiving radiation therapy for Hodgkin's disease? (Select all that apply.) a. Application of sunblock b. Appetite stimulation c. Conservation of energy d. Provision for expressions of anger e. Preparation for premature sexual development
a. Application of sunblock b. Appetite stimulation c. Conservation of energy d. Provision for expressions of anger
On admission, a child with leukemia has widespread purpura and a platelet count of 19,000/mm3. What is the priority nursing intervention? a. Assessing neurological status b. Inserting an intravenous line c. Monitoring vital signs during platelet transfusions d. Providing family education about how to prevent bleeding
a. Assessing neurological status When platelets are low, the greatest danger is spontaneous intracranial bleeding. Neurological assessments are therefore a priority of care.
The nurse is teaching parents about the importance of iron in a toddler's diet. Which explains why iron deficiency anemia is common during toddlerhood? a. Milk is a poor source of iron. b. Iron cannot be stored during fetal development. c. Fetal iron stores are depleted by age 1 month. d. Dietary iron cannot be started until age 12 months.
a. Milk is a poor source of iron.
The nurse is caring for a child with a low platelet count. What skin assessments would alert the nurse to bleeding? (Select all that apply.) a. Petichiae b. Purpura c. Ecchymosis d. Hematoma e. Lymphadenopathy
a. Petichiae b. Purpura c. Ecchymosis d. Hematoma
The most recent blood count for a child who received chemotherapy last week shows neutropenia. What is the priority nursing diagnosis for this child? a. Risk for infection b. Risk for hemorrhage c. Altered skin integrity d. Disturbance in body image
a. Risk for infection
The nurse is administering an IV chemotherapeutic agent to a child with leukemia. The child suddenly begins to wheeze and have severe urticaria. Which is the most appropriate nursing action? a. Stop drug infusion immediately. b. Recheck rate of drug infusion. c. Observe child closely for next 10 minutes. d. Explain to child that this is an expected side effect.
a. Stop drug infusion immediately.
The family of a child receiving chemotherapy for leukemia should be taught to focus on which aspect(s) of the child's care? (Select all that apply.) a. Using a support group b. Stimulating appetite c. Maintaining adequate hydration d. Continuing with scheduled immunizations e. Reporting exposure to infectious diseases
a. Using a support group b. Stimulating appetite c. Maintaining adequate hydration e. Reporting exposure to infectious diseases
Which statement made by a parent indicates an understanding of health maintenance of a child with sickle cell disease? a. "I should give my child a daily iron supplement." b. "It is important for my child to drink plenty of fluids." c. "He needs to wear protective equipment if he plays contact sports." d. "He shouldn't receive any immunizations until he is older."
b. "It is important for my child to drink plenty of fluids." Prevention of dehydration, which can trigger the sickling process, is a priority goal in the care of a child with sickle cell disease.
The nurse is planning care for a school-age child admitted to the hospital with hemophilia. Which interventions should the nurse plan to implement for this child? (Select all that apply.) a. Finger sticks for blood work instead of venipunctures b. Avoidance of IM injections c. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for mild pain control d. Soft tooth brush for dental hygiene e. Administration of packed red blood cells
b. Avoidance of IM injections c. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for mild pain control d. Soft tooth brush for dental hygiene
What would the nurse include in a teaching plan about mouth care of a child receiving chemotherapy? a. Use commercial mouthwash. b. Clean teeth with a soft toothbrush. c. Avoid use of a Water-Pik. d. Inspect the mouth weekly for ulcerations.
b. Clean teeth with a soft toothbrush.
The nurse is teaching the parents of a young child with iron deficiency anemia about nutrition. What food would the nurse emphasize as being a rich source of iron? a. An egg white b. Cream of Wheat c. A banana d. A carrot
b. Cream of Wheat
A child is diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia. What will the nurse explain can occur if this disorder goes untreated? a. Hemorrhage b. Heart failure c. Infection d. Pulmonary embolism
b. Heart failure
Which should the nurse teach about prevention of sickle cell crises to parents of a preschool child with sickle cell disease? (Select all that apply.) a. Limit fluids at bedtime. b. Notify the health care provider if a fever of 38.5° C (101.3° F) or greater occurs. c. Give penicillin as prescribed. d. Use ice packs to decrease the discomfort of vasoocclusive pain in the legs. e. Notify the health care provider if your child begins to develop symptoms of a cold.
b. Notify the health care provider if a fever of 38.5° C (101.3° F) or greater occurs. c. Give penicillin as prescribed. e. Notify the health care provider if your child begins to develop symptoms of a cold.
What will the nurse administer with ferrous sulfate drops when providing them to a child on the pediatric unit? a. With milk b. With orange juice c. With water d. On a full stomach
b. With orange juice
A school-age child is admitted in vasoocclusive sickle cell crisis. The child's care should include: a. correction of acidosis. b. adequate hydration and pain management. c. pain management and administration of heparin. d. adequate oxygenation and replacement of factor VIII.
b. adequate hydration and pain management.
Which should the nurse include when teaching the mother of a 9-month-old infant about administering liquid iron preparations? a. They should be given with meals. b. They should be stopped immediately if nausea and vomiting occur. c. Adequate dosage will turn the stools a tarry green color. d. Allow preparation to mix with saliva and bathe the teeth before swallowing.
c. Adequate dosage will turn the stools a tarry green color.
A school-age child with leukemia experienced severe nausea and vomiting when receiving chemotherapy for the first time. Which is the most appropriate nursing action to prevent or minimize these reactions with subsequent treatments? a. Encourage drinking large amounts of favorite fluids. b. Encourage child to take nothing by mouth (remain NPO) until nausea and vomiting subside. c. Administer an antiemetic before chemotherapy begins. d. Administer an antiemetic as soon as child has nausea.
c. Administer an antiemetic before chemotherapy begins.
A newly married couple is seeking genetic counseling because they are both carriers of the sickle cell trait. How can the nurse best explain the children's risk of inheriting this disease? a. Every fourth child will have the disease; two others will be carriers. b. All of their children will be carriers, just as they are. c. Each child has a one in four chance of having the disease and a two in four chance of being a carrier. d. The risk levels of their children cannot be determined by this information.
c. Each child has a one in four chance of having the disease and a two in four chance of being a carrier.
The nurse is conducting a staff in-service on sickle cell anemia. Which describes the pathologic changes of sickle cell anemia? a. Sickle-shaped cells carry excess oxygen. b. Sickle-shaped cells decrease blood viscosity. c. Increased red blood cell destruction occurs. d. Decreased adhesion of sickle-shaped cells occurs.
c. Increased red blood cell destruction occurs. The clinical features of sickle cell anemia are primarily the result of increased red blood cell destruction and obstruction caused by the sickle-shaped red blood cells. Sickled red cells have decreased oxygen-carrying capacity and transform into the sickle shape in conditions of low oxygen tension. When the sickle cells change shape, they increase the viscosity in the area where they are involved in the microcirculation. Increased adhesion and entanglement of cells occurs.
Which is most descriptive of the pathophysiology of leukemia? a. Increased blood viscosity occurs. b. Thrombocytopenia (excessive destruction of platelets) occurs. c. Unrestricted proliferation of immature white blood cells (WBCs) occurs. d. First stage of coagulation process is abnormally stimulated.
c. Unrestricted proliferation of immature white blood cells (WBCs) occurs.
A 3-year-old child with sickle cell disease is admitted to the hospital in sickle cell crisis with severe abdominal pain. Which type of crisis is the child most likely experiencing? a. Aplastic b. Hyperhemolytic c. Vaso-occlusive d. Splenic sequestration
c. Vaso-occlusive Vaso-occlusive crisis, or painful crisis, is caused by obstruction of blood flow by sickle cells, infarctions, and some degrees of vasospasm.
Parents of a hemophiliac child ask the nurse, "Can you describe hemophilia to us?" Which response by the nurse is descriptive of most cases of hemophilia? a. Autosomal dominant disorder causing deficiency in a factor involved in the blood-clotting reaction b. X-linked recessive inherited disorder causing deficiency of platelets and prolonged bleeding c. X-linked recessive inherited disorder in which a blood-clotting factor is deficient d. Y-linked recessive inherited disorder in which the red blood cells become moon-shaped
c. X-linked recessive inherited disorder in which a blood-clotting factor is deficient
The nurse is conducting a staff in-service on childhood blood disorders. Which describes the pathology of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura? a. Bone marrow failure in which all elements are suppressed b. Deficiency in the production rate of globin chains c. Diffuse fibrin deposition in the microvasculature d. An excessive destruction of platelets
d. An excessive destruction of platelets
The child receiving a transfusion complains of back pain and itching. What is the best initial action by the nurse? a. Notify the charge nurse. b. Disconnect intravenous lines immediately. c. Give diphenhydramine (Benadryl). d. Clamp off blood and keep line open with normal saline.
d. Clamp off blood and keep line open with normal saline.
Which is a common clinical manifestation of Hodgkin disease? a. Petechiae b. Bone and joint pain c. Painful, enlarged lymph nodes d. Enlarged, firm, nontender lymph nodes
d. Enlarged, firm, nontender lymph nodes NON TENDER!NOT PAIN FUL
The nurse is preparing a child for possible alopecia from chemotherapy. Which should be included? a. Explain to child that hair usually regrows in 1 year. b. Advise child to expose head to sunlight to minimize alopecia. c. Explain to child that wearing a hat or scarf is preferable to wearing a wig. d. Explain to child that when hair regrows, it may have a slightly different color or texture.
d. Explain to child that when hair regrows, it may have a slightly different color or texture.
A child has just been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. What is the result of an overproduction of immature white blood cells in the bone marrow? a. Decreased T-cell production b. Decreased hemoglobin c. Increased blood clotting d. Increased susceptibility to infection
d. Increased susceptibility to infection An overproduction of immature white blood cells increases the child's susceptibility to infection.
The nurse is recommending how to prevent iron deficiency anemia in a healthy, term, breast-fed infant. Which should be suggested? a. Iron (ferrous sulfate) drops after age 1 month b. Iron-fortified commercial formula by age 4 to 6 months c. Iron-fortified infant cereal by age 2 months d. Iron-fortified infant cereal by age 4 to 6 months
d. Iron-fortified infant cereal by age 4 to 6 months
Which immunization should not be given to a child receiving chemotherapy for cancer? a. Tetanus vaccine b. Inactivated poliovirus vaccine c. Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT) d. Measles, rubella, mumps
d. Measles, rubella, mumps
Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect when a child with sickle cell anemia experiences an acute vasoocclusive crisis? a. Circulatory collapse b. Cardiomegaly, systolic murmurs c. Hepatomegaly, intrahepatic cholestasis d. Painful swelling of hands and feet; painful joints
d. Painful swelling of hands and feet; painful joints
An 8-year-old girl is receiving a blood transfusion when the nurse notes that she has developed precordial pain, dyspnea, distended neck veins, slight cyanosis, and a dry cough. These manifestations are most suggestive of: a. air emboli. b. allergic reaction. c. hemolytic reaction. d. circulatory overload.
d. circulatory overload.
Myelosuppression, associated with chemotherapeutic agents or some malignancies such as leukemia, can cause bleeding tendencies because of a(n): a. decrease in leukocytes. b. increase in lymphocytes. c. vitamin C deficiency. d. decrease in blood platelets.
d. decrease in blood platelets.
