ATI RN · Obstetrics and Pediatrics · NCLEX RN Pediatric Questions
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Showing all 5 practice questions with expert explanatory rationales.
Mr. Mariano was on his way home from a party. Apparently, he got drunk and lost his balance and suffered a vehicular accident. Upon arrival at the hospital, the nurse noticed that his only injury is an open fracture of the left humerus. Which assessment finding by the nurse is critical?
Expert Explanatory Rationale
Correct Answer: status of client's tetanus immunization
Option A: The status of the client's tetanus immunization is critical to assess in the context of an open fracture, as the risk of tetanus infection increases with such injuries, especially if the immunization status is not up to date. Ensuring appropriate prophylaxis is essential for patient safety and infection prevention.
Option B: The current blood alcohol level, while relevant to understanding the patient's condition, does not directly impact the immediate management of the open fracture or the need for tetanus prophylaxis.
Option C: Support systems available at home to assist with care are important for discharge planning but do not influence the acute management of the open fracture or the risk of tetanus infection.
Option D: The last time the client voided is not pertinent to the immediate assessment of an open fracture or the need for tetanus immunization, as it does not relate to the injury sustained.
Takeaways: Assessing the status of the client's tetanus immunization is crucial for preventing infection in cases of open fractures, as timely tetanus prophylaxis is essential for patient safety and care management.
A client is diagnosed with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). The nurse informs the client that the physician will prescribe diuretic therapy and restrict fluid and sodium intake to treat the disorder. If the client does not comply with the recommended treatment, which complication may arise?
Expert Explanatory Rationale
Correct Answer: Cerebral edema
Option A: Cerebral edema is a significant complication that can arise from untreated syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). In SIADH, excess antidiuretic hormone leads to water retention, causing hyponatremia and subsequent cerebral edema. This condition can result in neurological deficits and requires careful management of fluid and sodium intake to prevent serious outcomes.
Option B: Severe hyperkalemia does not directly relate to SIADH. Instead, hyperkalemia is typically associated with conditions affecting potassium excretion, such as renal failure or certain medications, rather than fluid retention issues seen in SIADH.
Option C: Hypovolemic shock is not a complication of SIADH. In fact, SIADH leads to fluid overload rather than fluid deficit, which would not result in hypovolemic shock but rather in potential fluid imbalance and edema.
Option D: Tetany is primarily associated with hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia, not SIADH. The electrolyte imbalances in SIADH are more related to sodium levels, and tetany would not be a direct complication of this condition.
Takeaways: Cerebral edema can occur due to fluid overload in SIADH, necessitating careful management of fluid and sodium intake to prevent complications like neurological deficits, which requires patient education on fluid restrictions and monitoring for signs of hyponatremia.
The age at which the infant can achieve early head control with bobbing motion when pulled to sit is
Expert Explanatory Rationale
Correct Answer: 2 months
Option A: The infant can achieve early head control with a bobbing motion when pulled to sit at around 2 months of age. This developmental milestone indicates the beginning of neck muscle strength and coordination, which is crucial for further motor development and overall physical growth.
Option B: At 3 months, infants typically demonstrate improved head control but may not exhibit the bobbing motion consistently when pulled to sit. This milestone is usually noted slightly earlier.
Option C: By 4 months, infants have more stable head control and can hold their heads up more steadily, but the specific bobbing motion when pulled to sit is not characteristic of this age.
Option D: At 6 months, infants have well-developed head and neck control, allowing them to sit independently. However, this age exceeds the timeline for the early bobbing motion when pulled to sit.
Takeaways: Understanding the timeline for achieving early head control is essential for monitoring infant development, as it highlights the importance of motor skills and physical growth in early childhood milestones.
When palpating the child's cervical lymph nodes, the nurse notes that they are tender, enlarged, and warm. What is the best explanation for this?
Expert Explanatory Rationale
Correct Answer: Infection or inflammation close to the site
Option D: Infection or inflammation close to the site explains the tenderness, enlargement, and warmth of the cervical lymph nodes in a child. This is indicative of a localized immune response, often due to a nearby infection such as pharyngitis or otitis media, which commonly affects children. The lymph nodes react to pathogens in their vicinity, leading to these clinical signs.
Option A: Some form of cancer does not typically present with warm, tender lymph nodes in children; rather, malignancies often lead to non-tender, firm lymphadenopathy without warmth or inflammation.
Option B: Local scalp infection common in children may cause lymphadenopathy, but it would not explain the generalized tenderness and warmth of cervical nodes unless the infection is directly adjacent to those nodes.
Option C: Infection or inflammation distal to the site would not typically cause localized tenderness and warmth in the cervical lymph nodes; instead, it would likely lead to more generalized lymphadenopathy without the localized signs observed.
Takeaways: Localized lymphadenopathy in children, characterized by tenderness and warmth, typically indicates an infection or inflammation close to the site, such as pharyngitis or otitis media that stimulates the immune response in nearby lymph nodes.
Which of the ff nursing interventions is required when caring for a client after cardiac surgery who is at risk for ineffective tissue perfusion?
Expert Explanatory Rationale
Correct Answer: Position lower extremities below level of heart
Option C: Position lower extremities below level of heart is essential for promoting venous return and enhancing tissue perfusion in clients post-cardiac surgery. This position helps reduce the workload on the heart and improves circulation, which is critical for those at risk for ineffective tissue perfusion.
Option A: Restricting fluid intake can lead to dehydration and decreased blood volume, which may worsen tissue perfusion rather than improve it. Adequate hydration is necessary for maintaining circulation.
Option B: Ensuring that the client avoids prolonged sitting is important; however, it does not directly address the need to enhance venous return and tissue perfusion as effectively as positioning the legs appropriately.
Option D: Instructing the client to avoid leg exercises can lead to decreased circulation and muscle pump action, which are beneficial for venous return. Gentle leg exercises can actually promote better perfusion.
Takeaways: Proper positioning of the lower extremities is a priority for enhancing venous return and tissue perfusion in clients after cardiac surgery to mitigate the risk of ineffective tissue perfusion.
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