Exam 4: NUR230 / NUR 230 (Latest
2026/2027 Update) Concepts of Nursing: The
Childbearing/Child Caring Family |
Questions & Answers | 100% Correct | Galen
Q: Name 3 things that are assessed in a child's cerebral function assessment
Answer - Motor function - Posturing - Reflexes
Q: The presence of Cushing reflex may indicate...
Answer
Increased intracranial pressure
Q: A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant, what 2 things should she include in the
cerebral function assessment? - Answer
Assessment of posterior fontanelles - OFC (head circumference)
Q: Posture may be referred to as ______________/flexion or
______________/extension
Answer
Decorticate; decerebrate
Q: When is the treatment for any fine or gross motor skill deficits preferred?
Answer
Before the child is school-aged
Q: Studies show that the most common cause of neural tube defects is...
Answer
Folic acid deficiency during pregnancy
Q: Congenital deformity/neural tube defect where some or all of the fetal brain does not
develop/is missing
Answer
Anencepahly
Q: Type of neural tube defect where the spinal column does not close completely, brain is
being pulled to the top of the spinal cord from the bottom, and nerves are enclosed
Answer
Spina bifida cystica/myelomeningocele
Q: Type of neural tube defect where the membrane around the spinal cord is enlarged and a
mass is created
Answer
Meningocele
Q: Type of neural tube defect where a section of the spinal cord is malformed, but the nerves
and rest of the spinal cord are normal
Answer
Spina bifida occulta
Q: Type of spina bifida occulta where tissue attachments limit the movement of the spinal
cord within the spinal column
Answer
Tethered cord syndrome
Q: How and when can a neural tube defect be detected? What is 1 diagnostic sign of a neural
tube defect?
Answer - Can be detected in the prenatal period via ultrasound - Elevated maternal AFP level
Q: What is the therapeutic management of a neural tube defect?
Answer
Surgical closure w/ a possible shunt placement 24-72hrs after birth
Q: A nurse is caring for a child who is post-op from a surgical closure of a neural tube defect,
what are 3 actions of the nurse?
Answer - Perform clean intermittent catheterizations (CIC) Q4hrs - Perform bowel training - Place child in a prone or side-lying position
Q: A nurse is caring for a child who is post-op from a surgical closure of a neural tube defect,
what should the nurse promote to the family?
Answer
Encourage bonding
Q: A child has been diagnosed with myelomeningocele, what should the nurse be aware of?
Answer
The child may have a Latex allergy
Q: Cerebrospinal fluid collects in an abnormal pattern in the brain and ventricles
dilate/enlarge, causing harmful pressure to be exerted upwards on fragile tissues of the brain,
involves an imbalance in the production & absorption of CSF
Answer
Hydrocephalus
Q: Name 3 S/S of hydrocephalus in infants
Answer - "Sunset eyes" - Cre du Shaw - MacEwen sign
Q: Cre du Shaw refers to...
Answer
High-pitched cry that is hard to soothe
Q: Percussion of the skull near the junction of the frontal, temporal, and parietal bones will
produce a cracked-pot sound, indicating sutures are separated
Answer
Macewen's sign
Q: Name 3 S/S of hydrocephalus in children (early to late childhood)
Answer - Papilledema - Changes in vision - New urinary incontinence
Q: What is the treatment for hydrocephalus?
Answer
Cerebral spinal fluid shunt
Q: What 2 things should a nurse caring for a child who has hydrocephalus monitor?
Answer - Fontanel tension - Ventricle size
Q: Name the 2 kind of shunts that can be placed in children who have neural tube defects
Answer - Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt - Ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt
Q: A nurse is caring for a child who is post-op from a shunt placement surgery, what are 4
actions of the nurse?
Answer - Place the child in a supine position or on their non-operated side - Auscultate for bowel sounds - Place child on seizure precautions - Monitor for any subdural hematomas
Q: CSF fluid is displaced into the subarachnoid space to lumbar cistern + brain mass is
displaced
Answer
Compensation (early stage of increased intracranial pressure)
Q: Name 3 later S/S of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) - Answer
Papilledema - Cheyne-stokes respirations - Flexion or extension posturing
Q: Abnormal breathing pattern w/ periods of apnea
Answer
Cheyne-stokes respirations
Q: Measures best eye opening, motor & verbal response to test neurological status/function
Answer
Glascow coma scale
Q: In pediatrics, the higher the Glascow coma scale score is...
Answer
The more "intact" the motor responses are
Q: Infection of the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and/or pia mater of the meninges
Answer
Meningitis
Infection of the meninges covering the brain
Answer
Encephalitis
Infection of the meninges covering the spinal cord
Answer
Myelitis
Name 2 ways meningitis can be acquired INDIRECTLY
Answer - Respiratory infection - Gram-negative organisms
Meningitis causes the formation of an ___________________ of _______________ &
fibrin ____________ and _______________
Answer
Exudation layer; purulent exudate; deposits; adhesions
Name 3 S/S of meningitis
Answer - Nuchal rigidity - Rash r/t to strep throat - Photophobia
Child is placed in a supine position, hip & knee are flexed 90 degrees, and pain/resistance with
knee extension presents
Answer
Kernig's sign
Pain w/ deliberate flexion of the neck causes involuntary flexion of the knee and hip
Answer
Brudzinski's sign
Positive Kernig's and Brudzinski's signs are diagnostic signs of what?
Answer
Nuchal rigidity/stiff neck related to meningitis
What are 3 diagnostic signs that indicate the meningitis infection is bacterial? - Positive gram stain - Cloudy CSF - Elevated WBCs
What are 3 diagnostic signs that indicate the meningitis infection is viral? - Negative gram stain - Clear CSF - Slightly elevated WBCs
Is caused by Neisseria meningitidis, begins with a mild to severe meningococcal septicemia
(sepsis)
Meningococcal meningitis
Name 1 S/S of meningococcal meningitis
Petechial or purpuric skin rash
A nurse is caring for a child who has been diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis, what are 3
actions the nurse should take? - Closely monitor I&Os + specific gravity - Elevate the head of the bed and make sure the child's head is midline
What are 2 precautions a child with meningococcal meningitis should be placed on?
Droplet & seizure precautions
Children who have meningococcal meningitis are at a high risk for what?
Aspiration
What kind of movements may be involved in generalized seizures? (2)
- Tonic (rigid) movements - Clonic (jerking) movements
Involves a sudden loss of muscle tone and loss of consciousness
Atonic seizures ("drop attacks")
Involves sudden brief jerks of muscle groups w/ possible loss of consciousness
Myoclonic seizures
Name 2 kinds of medications that can be given to help manage seizures - Sodium channel blockers - Calcium channel inhibitors
Vagal nerve is stimulated by an implanted device in the left chest wall to initiate seizure activity
in the brain, while the seizure is happening, a magnet is held over the stimulator to lessen the
seizure or abort it all together
Vagal nerve stimulator
What kind of motor state may an individual who just experienced a generalized or febrile seizure
be in?
Paresis or postictal paralysis
Complex deformity of the ankle and foot
Clubfoot
Name 2 S/S of clubfoot - Foot bends inward or outward - Toes are higher or lower than the heels
Abnormal development of the hip structures with or without dislocation
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)
What is 1 S/S of DDH in infants?
Unequal gluteal and/or thigh creases
What is the treatment for DDH in infants? What does it do?
Pavlik harness; pulls the hips up and prevents the legs from extending
What is the goal of putting children in harnesses, casts, and braces who have DDH?
Keep/maintain hips in abduction
A nurse is going to educate parents how to care for their child who has DDH, what should the
nurse include in the teaching? - Adjust car seat - Double diaper - Assess neurovascular status
Disease involving aseptic necrosis of the femoral head causing the thighbone (femur) and pelvis
to meet in a ball-and-socket joint due to temporarily interrupted blood supply to the femoral
head of the hip joint; bone begins to die
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
Name 3 S/S of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease - Pain/stiffness in the hip and/or groin - Limited ROM of the hip joint - Limping
Separation of the proximal femoral epiphysis in posterior and inferior directions, resulting in
expanded sections within the hip(s)
SCFE
What is a big risk factor for SCFE?
Obesity
Name 1 S/S of SCFE
Outward turning of the leg
For scoliosis to be diagnosed...
The spinal curvature must be a certain degree
Name 1 S/S of scoliosis
Sides of back appear different in height when bending forward
A nurse is caring for a child who is post-operative from a posterior spinal fusion b/c of having
scoliosis, what are 2 nursing interventions? - Do "log rolls" when moving the patient - Assess bowel motility
A fracture to the epiphyseal growth plate will result in what 2 things? - Bone not growing - Bone deformity
Immobility may cause...
Possible psychosis
What are the 6 P's? - Pain - Pallor - Pulselessness - Paresthesia - Paralysis - Pressure
Name 2 early behavioral signs of cognitive impairment
- Poor or slow feeding - Poor eye contact during feeding
Intellectual disability is diagnosed when the IQ is...
Less than 70-75
What is 1 primary nursing prevention of cognitive impairment?
Get Rubella immunization
Name 1 way ADHD can be therapeutically managed; where is it commonly managed at?
Manipulate environment; in the classroom - ADHD medication - Med long-term adverse effect - Nursing considerations (2) - Ritalin - Growth suppression - Usually given 2x a day (AM and PM) + may need to take med break in the summer
What 2 things are assessed to diagnostically evaluate ADHD and learning disabilities? - Hand-eye coordination - Quality of motor activities
Complex neurodevelopmental disorders with spectrum behaviors affecting an individual's
ability to communicate and interact with others in a social setting
Autism (spectrum disorder)
Name 2 early signs of autism in babies/toddlers - Inappropriate playing with toys - Oversensitive or under sensitive to touch
Name 2 possible educational interventions for a child who may have autism (spectrum disorder) - Applied behavioral analysis - Speech therapy
Risperidone and Aripiprazole are medications to help manage _____________ and can help
reduce some ____________________
Autism (spectrum disorder); behavior symptoms in autism
The most common chromosomal abnormality of a generalized syndrome & most common cause
of intellectual disability
Down syndrome/Trisomy 21
Name 5 S/S of Down syndrome/Trisomy 21 - Conductive hearing loss - Strabismus - Myopia - Frequent conjunctivitis
- Weak respiratory musculature
A nurse is caring for a child who has autism spectrum disorder, what 2 things should the nurse
monitor/educate to the family to monitor? Why?
Monitor weight & nutrition d/t them being higher in weight and shorter in stature
Nonprogressive impairment of motor function, especially that of muscle control, coordination,
and posture; is distinguished by mobility, can cause abnormal perception and sensation such as
visual, hearing, and speech impairments, cognitive disabilities, and 80% develop seizures
Cerebral palsy
If cerebral palsy is suspected, when is the careful assessment done? What may indicate CP?
In early infancy; no development within the first 2yrs may indicate CP
Name 3 motor signs of cerebral palsy - Persistent primitive reflexes - Poor head control after 3 months - Hypotonia (floppy tone)
Excessive irritability, no smiling by 3 months, and persistent tongue thrusting are all what kind
of signs of what?
Behavioral signs of cerebral palsy
Name 1 possible medication that may be given to help manage cerebral palsy
Antispasmodic - Botox injection
Opening in the septum between the right and left atria of the fetal heart, usually closing when
the umbilical cord is clamped
Foramen ovale
Harsh blowing sounds caused by disruption of blood flow into the heart
Heart murmurs
Palpable vibration over the pericardium or artery that may accompany valve or vessel stenosis
Thrills
A distal heart defect affects what is ________________ and may specifically affect
_________, __________, and ______________ - Below the heart - Pulses - Skin color - Temperature
A proximal heart defect may result in...
Hypertension
What 2/3 things should a nurse monitor regarding a cardiac assessment post-birth? - Central discoloration/mottling
- Edema (indicates CHF)
Diagnostic and interventional procedure that can determine oxygen saturation, cardiac output,
pressures in chambers and great vessels, and structural defects
Cardiac catheterization
What are 3 nursing considerations/interventions in post-cardiac catheterization? - Place child on bedrest for 6hrs (keep affected leg straight) - Do not raise the head of the bed - Allow child to only participate in quiet play for 24hrs
Heart failure may result in ___________ on the _________ in babies
Sweating; scalp
Name 3 general clinical manifestations of heart failure - Cardiomegaly - Clubbing of fingers - Polycythemia
Heart defect that involves a hole in the septum between the right and left ventricle that results in
increased pulmonary blood flow
Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
Heart defect that has a loud, harsh murmur auscultated at the left sternal border
VSD
Ventricular septal defect (VSD) medical management
Complete repair with "drawstring" patch
Heart defect that involves a hole in the septum between the right and left atria that results in
increased pulmonary blood flow; mixes blood and involves less blood shunts than VSD
Atrial septal defect (ASD)
Heart defect that has a loud, harsh murmur with a fixed split-second heart sound
ASD
Atrial septal defect (ASD) medical management (2) - Closure with cardiac catheterization - Surgical patch closure
Heart defect that occurs when the fetal artery that connects the aorta to the pulmonary artery
fails to close after birth
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
Name 2 key S/S of PDA - Machine-like murmur - Bounding pulses
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) medical management (2) - Administer Indomethacin - Coil insertion (occludes PDA during catheterization)
Heart defect that involves 4 different defects that result in decreased pulmonary blood flow with
unoxygenated blood
Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
What are the 4 heart defects involved in TOF? - Pulmonary stenosis - Right ventricular hypertrophy - Overriding aorta - Ventricular septal defect
Name 2 key S/S of TOF - Cyanosis/"Tet" spells - Systolic murmur
A nurse is caring for a child who has TOF heart defect, what is the nurse's intervention?
Place the child in a knee-chest position (increase blood flow to the lungs)
Episode of acute cyanosis and hypoxia resulting from further decreased pulmonary blood flow
"Tet" spell
What is the compensatory mechanism during a "Tet" spell
Squatting
Heart defect that involves narrowing of the aorta after blood has been supplied to the upper
extremities, results in obstruction of blood flow from the ventricle
Coarctation of aorta (COA)
Describe the S/S in COA
Elevated BP and bounding pulses in the upper extremities; low BP, weak/absent pulses, and
cool skin in the lower extremities
Coarctation of aorta (COA) medical management (2) - Balloon angioplasty - Stent(s) placement
Heart defect that involves narrowing of the pulmonary valve which separates the right ventricle
from the pulmonary artery, resulting in blood obstruction to the lungs
Pulmonary stenosis
Name 1 S/S of pulmonary stenosis
Systolic ejection murmur
Pulmonary stenosis medical management
Balloon dilation or valvotomy
Heart defect where the aorta and pulmonary artery connections to the heart are reversed (aorta
is connected to the right ventricle, instead of the left & the pulmonary artery is connected to the
left ventricle, instead of the right), resulting in mixed blood flow
Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA)
What one or 2 things must exist in a TGA heart defect to oxygenate the blood a little bit for
survival? - Septal defect - Patent ductus arteriosus
Cyanosis, fatigue, murmurs, cardiomegaly, shortness of breath, hypoxia, and poor growth are
symptoms of what heart defect?
TGA
Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) medical management (2) - Administer prostaglandins (keeps patent ductus arteriosus open) - Arterial switch surgery
Heart defect that involves a single vessel/trunk that comes off the heart and then branches to
the lungs and rest of the body d/t failure of septum formation to create a separate pulmonary
artery and aorta, resulting in mixed blood flow
Truncus arteriosus (TA)
Name 1 S/S of TA
Poor feeding habits
When should surgical repair of truncus arteriosus be done?
Within the first month of life
Heart defect where the left side of the heart, along with associated structures on the left side, is
underdeveloped, resulting in mixed blood flow
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Name 2 S/S of hypoplastic left heart syndrome - Cold hands and feet - Lethargy
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome SURGICAL management (3)
Norwood, Glenn shunt, and Fontan
Right sided heart failure may involve...
Hepatic/splenomegaly
A nurse is caring for a child who was prescribed digoxin for a cardiac dysfunction, what should
the nurse educate to the parents about dosing? (3) - Doses are based on weight
- Med is given 2x a day - If a dose is missed, pick back up with the next dose, never re-dose or try to catch up on doses
A nurse is caring for a child who was prescribed digoxin for a cardiac dysfunction, what should
the nurse educate to the parents about before and during administration? (2) - Take child's pulse before - Give med with a dig dropper and formula afterwards
What may be the cause of bacterial/infective endocarditis?
Strep throat/scarlet fever
Infection of the inner lining of the heart and valves from bacteria entering the bloodstream
Bacterial/infective endocarditis
Inflammatory disease of the heart, blood vessels, and joints that occurs as a reaction to Group A
beta-hemolytic streptococcus (infection of the throat)
Rheumatic fever
Rheumatic fever medical management
Long-term administration of Penicillin (as prophylaxis)
What is the key risk factor in the development of rheumatic fever?
An untreated or partially treated GABHS infection
Pericardial friction rub, cardiomegaly, arrhythmias, polyarthritis, non-itchy erythema, chorea,
and nontender subcutaneous nodules are _______________ of what disease?
Major S/S; rheumatic fever
Arthralgia, fever, prolonged PR intervals, and elevated c-reactive protein and ESR are
____________ of what disease?
Minor S/S; rheumatic fever
Name the 5 S/S of Kawasaki disease (CREAM in motorcycle accident) - Conjunctivitis - Rash - Extremity changes - Adenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes) - Mucosal changes
Kawasaki disease medical management (2) - IV Gamma globulin - High dose aspirin
For a child with Kawasaki disease, what teaching do you need to provide the child's family
regarding vaccinations?
The child cannot receive any live virus vaccinations for 11 months
Mineral disturbance that involves a decrease in hemoglobin due to insufficient iron intake or
malabsorption syndrome that prevents iron absorption
Iron deficient anemia
What is the key risk factor for iron deficient anemia in young children?
Large intake of fresh cow's milk in diet
What oral medication can be given to those with iron deficient anemia? When and with that
should this be given?
Ferrous sulfate; give between meals with orange juice for better absorption
Name 3 foods that are rich in iron - Green vegetables - Meat - Raisins
Periodic exacerbation episodes that can be aplastic, hyper hemolytic, or vaso-occlusive involving
the spleen and liver
Sickle cell crises
During a sickle cell crisis, what does the nurse need to do? (4-HOPS)
Hydrate, oxygenate, pain management, support
Autosomal recessive genetic disorder that causes chronic anemia, pain, infection, and organ
damage
Sickle cell anemia
What INCREASES and DECREASES iron absorption?
Vitamin C increases iron absorption & dairy decreases iron absorption
How should pain be treated in a patient with sickle cell anemia experiencing a vaso-occlusive
crisis?
With opioid analgesics around the clock
Severe inherited hemorrhagic disorder that is x-linked recessive and causes a deficiency in
clotting factors necessary for coagulation of blood; does not affect platelet count or PT
Hemophilia
Name 3 S/S of hemophilia - Excessive bruising - Joint pain/swelling - Decreased ROM
Hemophilia treatment
IV factor replacement
Hemophilia A is caused by a deficiency in ____________; lab work will show an
__________ in _________
Factor 8 (VIII); increase; aPTT
A nurse is caring for a child who has hemophilia, what 3 things should the nurse educate to the
family? - The child should participate in physical therapy, but no contact sports - Avoid IM injections - Do not give the child aspirin (Tylenol instead!)
Triad in which all formed elements of the blood are simultaneously depressed, leading to
profound anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia
Aplastic anemia
Viral infection in which the virus primarily infects a specific subset of T-lymphocytes causing
immune dysfunction leading to organ dysfunction and a variety of opportunistic infections in a
weakened host
HIV
Illness is characterized by hepatosplenomegaly, chronic or recurrent diarrhea, and parotitis
HIV infection
Disorder that is characterized by a decrease in the number of RBCs and/or hemoglobin (less
than 10 or 11) concentration below normal which causes diminished oxygen-carrying capacity of
blood
Anemia
Anemia is a __________, not a disease in and of itself
Symptom
Content preview
Exam 4: NUR230 / NUR 230 (Latest
2026/2027 Update) Concepts of Nursing: The
Childbearing/Child Caring Family |
Questions & Answers | 100% Correct | Galen
Q: Name 3 things that are assessed in a child's cerebral function assessment
Answer
- Motor function
- Posturing
- Reflexes
Q: The presence of Cushing reflex may indicate...
Answer
Increased intracranial pressure
Q: A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant, what 2 things should she include in the
cerebral function assessment?
- Answer
Assessment of posterior fontanelles
- OFC (head circumference)
,Q: Posture may be referred to as ______________/flexion or
______________/extension
Answer
Decorticate; decerebrate
Q: When is the treatment for any fine or gross motor skill deficits preferred?
Answer
Before the child is school-aged
Q: Studies show that the most common cause of neural tube defects is...
Answer
Folic acid deficiency during pregnancy
Q: Congenital deformity/neural tube defect where some or all of the fetal brain does not
develop/is missing
Answer
Anencepahly
Q: Type of neural tube defect where the spinal column does not close completely, brain is
being pulled to the top of the spinal cord from the bottom, and nerves are enclosed
Answer
Spina bifida cystica/myelomeningocele
, Q: Type of neural tube defect where the membrane around the spinal cord is enlarged and a
mass is created
Answer
Meningocele
Q: Type of neural tube defect where a section of the spinal cord is malformed, but the nerves
and rest of the spinal cord are normal
Answer
Spina bifida occulta
Q: Type of spina bifida occulta where tissue attachments limit the movement of the spinal
cord within the spinal column
Answer
Tethered cord syndrome
Q: How and when can a neural tube defect be detected? What is 1 diagnostic sign of a neural
tube defect?
Answer
- Can be detected in the prenatal period via ultrasound
- Elevated maternal AFP level
Q: What is the therapeutic management of a neural tube defect?
Answer
Surgical closure w/ a possible shunt placement 24-72hrs after birth