Pediatric Nursing Flashcards

Due to a tumble off his bike, the 12-year-old child shattered his arm. The nurse is aware that once the injury has been cast, it is crucial to carry out all of the following assessments on the area nearby the injury, with the exception of:

Answer: skin integrity

After a cast is applied, the most critical assessments are for neurovascular compromise, often referred to as the '5 Ps': pain, pallor, pulselessness, paresthesia, and paralysis (movement). Radial/ulnar pulse, capillary refill, and finger movement directly assess circulation and nerve function, which are paramount for preventing severe complications like compartment syndrome. While skin integrity around the cast edges is important to prevent pressure sores or irritation, it is generally less immediately critical than assessing for acute neurovascular impairment.

A woman confides in the nurse that she is distraught over the fact that her 2-year-old son doesn't finish his meals. The nurse should give the mother what advice?

Answer: do not give snacks to the child before meals

Toddlers often have small appetites and can fill up quickly on snacks, reducing their hunger for main meals. To encourage a 2-year-old to eat more at mealtimes, it is advisable to limit or avoid snacks close to mealtime. This strategy helps ensure the child is sufficiently hungry to consume a balanced and nutritious meal, rather than relying on less substantial snacks.

When a call bell rings, the nurse answers it to discover a terrified mother holding her child, who is experiencing a seizure. Which of these should the nurse choose to do?

Answer: The nurse should clear the area and position the child safely

During a seizure, the immediate priority is to ensure the child's safety and prevent injury. This involves clearing the area of any potentially harmful objects and carefully positioning the child on their side to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration. Restraining the child or inserting objects into their mouth can cause further harm and is contraindicated.

Which of the following characteristics is most likely to be present in a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) caused by a congenital cardiac condition?

Answer: Polycythemia

Certain congenital cardiac conditions, particularly cyanotic heart defects, lead to chronic hypoxemia. The body compensates by increasing red blood cell production, resulting in polycythemia. While this increases oxygen-carrying capacity, severe polycythemia also increases blood viscosity, making the blood thicker and raising the risk of thrombus formation and subsequent cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs).

Which of the following microorganisms causes rheumatic fever to develop?

Answer: Group A β-hemolytic streptococcus

Rheumatic fever is a serious inflammatory disease that develops as a delayed, non-suppurative complication of an untreated or inadequately treated infection with Group A β-hemolytic streptococcus (GAS). This autoimmune response occurs when the body's immune system, fighting the bacterial infection, mistakenly attacks its own tissues, particularly in the heart, joints, brain, and skin.

A metabolic flaw that is inherited that causes RBC to be destroyed too soon?

Answer: G6PD

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an inherited metabolic disorder where the body lacks or has insufficient G6PD, an enzyme vital for red blood cell protection against oxidative stress. Without adequate G6PD, red blood cells become vulnerable to premature destruction (hemolysis) when exposed to certain triggers like specific medications, foods, or infections.

Which of the following is improper when giving chemotherapy to a young patient?

Answer: Observing the child for 10 minutes to note for signs of anaphylaxis

Anaphylactic reactions to chemotherapy can be severe and rapid, requiring prompt recognition and intervention. Observing a child for only 10 minutes after chemotherapy administration is insufficient to detect all potential acute adverse reactions, including delayed or evolving signs of anaphylaxis. Patients should be monitored for a longer, protocol-specified period (e.g., 30-60 minutes) to ensure safety.