Exam Flashcards
7 cards from real CPEN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Exam flashcards as text
A 4-year-old presents with a 3-day history of fever, rash starting on the trunk, and vesicular lesions in various stages. The nurse recognizes this as varicella and knows which complication is most concerning?
Answer: Bacterial superinfection of skin lesions
Secondary bacterial superinfection, most commonly with Staphylococcus aureus or Group A Streptococcus, is the most common serious complication of varicella.
When calculating a weight-based medication dose for a pediatric patient whose actual weight is unknown, the nurse should use which method as the first choice?
Answer: A length-based resuscitation tape (e.g., Broselow)
A length-based resuscitation tape such as the Broselow tape provides the most accurate weight estimation and corresponding equipment sizes and drug doses.
A 10-year-old with sickle cell disease presents with severe chest pain, fever, and hypoxia. Which condition should the nurse prioritize?
Answer: Acute chest syndrome
Acute chest syndrome is a life-threatening vaso-occlusive complication of sickle cell disease presenting with chest pain, fever, and hypoxia, requiring immediate intervention.
A 7-year-old is brought in after ingesting an unknown number of acetaminophen tablets 2 hours ago. Which antidote should be prepared for administration?
Answer: N-acetylcysteine
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is the specific antidote for acetaminophen toxicity and is most effective when given within 8 hours of ingestion.
During a pediatric trauma assessment, the nurse notes the child has a GCS of 8 and is deteriorating. What is the priority action?
Answer: Prepare for rapid sequence intubation
A GCS of 8 or below indicates the need for definitive airway management, and rapid sequence intubation should be prepared to protect the airway.
A 2-year-old is brought to the ED with burns on both palms from touching a hot stove. Using the Rule of Nines modified for children, what percentage of BSA does this represent?
Answer: 1%
Each palm (including fingers) represents approximately 1% of total body surface area in a child, so both palms together equal about 2%, but a single palm is 1%.
A neonate presents with bilious vomiting and abdominal distension. The nurse should suspect which surgical emergency?
Answer: Midgut volvulus with malrotation
Bilious vomiting in a neonate is a surgical emergency until proven otherwise; midgut volvulus with malrotation can cause bowel ischemia and requires immediate surgical consultation.