RN VATI NURSING CARE OF CHILDREN 2026
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT SCRIPT
SOLVED QUESTIONS ANSWERS UPDATED
REVIEW SET
◉ A nurse is assisting in the admission of a 9-month-old infant who
has gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea. Which of the
following findings is the nurse's priority? (Click on the exhibit tabs
for additional information about the client. There are three tabs that
contain separate categories of data.)
Answer: Potassium level
When using the urgent vs. nonurgent approach to client care, the
nurse should identify that the priority finding is a potassium level of
3.2 mEq/L because this is below the expected reference range of 4.1
to 5.3 mEq/L for a 9-month-old infant. Hypokalemia, or a decreased
potassium level, impacts the ability of smooth muscles to contract
and can lead to cardiac arrythmias. Therefore, the nurse should
identify this as the priority finding and notify the provider.
◉ A nurse is caring for a toddler who has a respiratory illness and a
temperature of 39.3° C (102.7" F). Which of the following actions
should the nurse take to reduce the toddler's temperature?
,Answer: Remove the toddler's extra clothing.
The nurse should remove the toddler's extra clothing after
administering an antipyretic to reduce the toddler's temperature.
◉ A nurse is caring for a preschooler who has diabetes mellitus and
is pale, diaphoretic, and irritable. The child's blood glucose level is
52 mg/dL. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first?
Answer: Administer 1 tbsp of sugar to the child.
When following evidence-based practice, the nurse should
administer 15 g of simple carbohydrates. Foods, such as 1 tbsp of
table sugar, will quickly bring the glucose level up and resolve the
manifestations of hypoglycemia. This should be followed up by a
complex carbohydrate to prevent rebound hypoglycemia.
◉ A nurse is caring for a child who has pertussis. Which of the
following precautions should the nurse initiate?
Answer: Droplet
The nurse should initiate droplet precautions for a child who has a
disease that is transmitted through droplets larger than 5 microns,
such as pertussis. Individuals providing care for the child should
wear a mask and the child should be placed in a private room.
, ◉ A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the guardian of an adolescent
who has ADHD and a prescription for methylphenidate. Which of the
following statements by the guardian indicates an understanding of
the teaching?
Answer: I will use charts to assist my child with organizing their
day.
The use of charts to assist with organization is a recommended
modification of the environment to help the adolescent be more
successful.
◉ A nurse is assisting with the care of a child following a
tonsillectomy. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?
Answer: Monitor the child for frequent swallowing.
The greatest risk to this child is hemorrhage following the
tonsillectomy. Frequent swallowing is an early and obvious
manifestation of postoperative Therefore, the nurse's priority action
is to monitor the child for frequent swallowing.
◉ A nurse is assisting with the care of a child who is in status
asthmaticus. Which of the following medications should the nurse
administer first?
Answer: Albuterol via nebulizer
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT SCRIPT
SOLVED QUESTIONS ANSWERS UPDATED
REVIEW SET
◉ A nurse is assisting in the admission of a 9-month-old infant who
has gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea. Which of the
following findings is the nurse's priority? (Click on the exhibit tabs
for additional information about the client. There are three tabs that
contain separate categories of data.)
Answer: Potassium level
When using the urgent vs. nonurgent approach to client care, the
nurse should identify that the priority finding is a potassium level of
3.2 mEq/L because this is below the expected reference range of 4.1
to 5.3 mEq/L for a 9-month-old infant. Hypokalemia, or a decreased
potassium level, impacts the ability of smooth muscles to contract
and can lead to cardiac arrythmias. Therefore, the nurse should
identify this as the priority finding and notify the provider.
◉ A nurse is caring for a toddler who has a respiratory illness and a
temperature of 39.3° C (102.7" F). Which of the following actions
should the nurse take to reduce the toddler's temperature?
,Answer: Remove the toddler's extra clothing.
The nurse should remove the toddler's extra clothing after
administering an antipyretic to reduce the toddler's temperature.
◉ A nurse is caring for a preschooler who has diabetes mellitus and
is pale, diaphoretic, and irritable. The child's blood glucose level is
52 mg/dL. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first?
Answer: Administer 1 tbsp of sugar to the child.
When following evidence-based practice, the nurse should
administer 15 g of simple carbohydrates. Foods, such as 1 tbsp of
table sugar, will quickly bring the glucose level up and resolve the
manifestations of hypoglycemia. This should be followed up by a
complex carbohydrate to prevent rebound hypoglycemia.
◉ A nurse is caring for a child who has pertussis. Which of the
following precautions should the nurse initiate?
Answer: Droplet
The nurse should initiate droplet precautions for a child who has a
disease that is transmitted through droplets larger than 5 microns,
such as pertussis. Individuals providing care for the child should
wear a mask and the child should be placed in a private room.
, ◉ A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the guardian of an adolescent
who has ADHD and a prescription for methylphenidate. Which of the
following statements by the guardian indicates an understanding of
the teaching?
Answer: I will use charts to assist my child with organizing their
day.
The use of charts to assist with organization is a recommended
modification of the environment to help the adolescent be more
successful.
◉ A nurse is assisting with the care of a child following a
tonsillectomy. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?
Answer: Monitor the child for frequent swallowing.
The greatest risk to this child is hemorrhage following the
tonsillectomy. Frequent swallowing is an early and obvious
manifestation of postoperative Therefore, the nurse's priority action
is to monitor the child for frequent swallowing.
◉ A nurse is assisting with the care of a child who is in status
asthmaticus. Which of the following medications should the nurse
administer first?
Answer: Albuterol via nebulizer
