Free Pediatric Nursing NCLEX Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Thrisha is admitted to the pediatric unit with what is thought to be rheumatic fever. Which facts does the nurse prioritize when gathering the child's medical history?
- A recent episode of pharyngitis (Correct answer)
- Vomiting for 2 days
- A fever that started 3 days ago
- Lack of interest in food
Correct answer: A recent episode of pharyngitis
Rheumatic fever is a serious inflammatory disease that can develop as a complication of an untreated or inadequately treated streptococcal infection, most commonly strep throat (pharyngitis). Therefore, a recent history of pharyngitis is the most crucial piece of information for the nurse to prioritize when gathering a child's medical history, as it directly links to the etiology of rheumatic fever.
Question 2: The nurse is aware of the following assessment finding as the most typical one in a child with ulcerative colitis:
- Abdominal distention
- Intense abdominal cramps
- Profuse diarrhea (Correct answer)
- Anal fissures
Correct answer: Profuse diarrhea
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that primarily affects the large intestine and rectum. A hallmark symptom, especially in children, is profuse, often bloody, diarrhea due to the inflammation and ulceration of the colon lining. While other symptoms like abdominal pain can occur, severe diarrhea is a defining and most typical characteristic of the condition.
Question 3: Nurse Menchie is aware that children of which age group are most likely to perceive illness as a punishment for wrongdoing while creating a plan of care for a hospitalized child?
- School age
- Adolescence
- Infancy
- Preschool age (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Preschool age
Preschool-aged children (typically 3-5 years old) are in a stage of cognitive development characterized by magical thinking and a limited understanding of cause and effect. They often interpret illness or hospitalization as a consequence of their misbehavior or 'being bad.' It is crucial for nurses to address these misconceptions and reassure them to alleviate guilt and fear.
Question 4: A 6-year-old female girl is brought in for a checkup at the medical facility. The nurse should inquire as follows to evaluate the child's vision:
- “Do you have problems with glare?”
- “How are you doing in school?” (Correct answer)
- “Do you have any problems seeing different colors?”
- “Do you have trouble seeing at night?”
Correct answer: “How are you doing in school?”
Vision problems in children often manifest as difficulties in school, such as trouble reading or seeing the board. Inquiring about a child's school performance is an effective, indirect way to screen for potential vision impairments in a 6-year-old, as these issues frequently impact academic success. Direct questions about specific visual symptoms might not capture a general decline in vision as readily as observing its functional impact.
Question 5: Twelve-year-old Erithel is seven months pregnant. Which teaching method is least effective when teaching parenting skills to an adolescent, according to the nurse?
- Providing age-appropriate reading materials (Correct answer)
- Providing a one-on-one demonstration and requesting a return demonstration, using a live infant model
- Initiating a teenage parent support group with first and second-time mothers
- Using audiovisual aids that show discussions of feelings and skills
Correct answer: Providing age-appropriate reading materials
Adolescents, especially those facing the complexities of pregnancy and parenting, often learn best through active, hands-on, and interactive methods. While reading materials can supplement learning, they are generally less effective as a primary teaching method for developing practical parenting skills compared to demonstrations, return demonstrations, and peer support groups, which offer experiential learning and social support.
Question 6: Vicktoria, a 5-year-old girl, has lately been identified as having Kawasaki disease. In addition to the disease's known symptoms, which of the following is also a possibility for her to experience?
- Meningitis
- Mitral valve disease
- Aneurysm formation (Correct answer)
- Sepsis
Correct answer: Aneurysm formation
Kawasaki disease is a form of vasculitis that primarily affects medium-sized arteries throughout the body, most notably the coronary arteries. Aneurysm formation, particularly coronary artery aneurysms, is a serious and well-recognized complication of this disease. These aneurysms can lead to long-term cardiac issues, including myocardial infarction or sudden death, if not properly managed.
Question 7: Which of the following should Nurse Carmen consider when developing a lesson plan for the parents of Abby who has been identified as having pulmonic stenosis (PS)?
- Obstruction of blood flow from the right ventricle (Correct answer)
- Return of blood to the heart without entry to the left atrium
- A single vessel arising from both ventricles
- Obstruction of blood flow from the left ventricle
Correct answer: Obstruction of blood flow from the right ventricle
Pulmonic stenosis (PS) is a congenital heart defect characterized by a narrowing or obstruction at or near the pulmonic valve. This structural anomaly impedes the flow of blood from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery, which is responsible for carrying deoxygenated blood to the lungs. Understanding this obstruction is crucial for parents to comprehend their child's condition and treatment plan.
