Galen College NU 170 Exam 3 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Maternal-Child
Nursing Q&A | Maternal-Child Nursing
1. A 2-year-old child presents with vomiting and diarrhea for 3 days. Which
assessment finding indicates severe dehydration requiring immediate
intervention?
A) Dry mucous membranes
B) Decreased skin turgor
C) Lethargy and decreased urine output
D) Sunken fontanelle
Correct Answer: Lethargy and decreased urine output
Rationale: Lethargy and decreased urine output are signs of severe
dehydration requiring immediate intervention. Dry mucous membranes,
decreased skin turgor, and sunken fontanelle indicate moderate dehydration.
The child should be assessed for signs of shock, and IV fluids may be
needed.
2. A nurse is assessing a child with acute gastroenteritis. Which finding is
most concerning for the development of dehydration?
A) Dry mucous membranes
B) Decreased skin turgor
C) Sunken fontanelle
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes, decreased skin turgor, and a sunken
fontanelle are all signs of dehydration in children with gastroenteritis. The
,nurse should assess for these findings and implement rehydration therapy.
Severe dehydration is a medical emergency.
3. The nurse is caring for a child with acute gastroenteritis. Which
intervention is most important for preventing dehydration?
A) Administer antiemetics
B) Encourage oral rehydration therapy
C) Restrict fluids
D) Administer antibiotics
Correct Answer: Encourage oral rehydration therapy
Rationale: Oral rehydration therapy with an appropriate solution (e.g.,
Pedialyte) is the most important intervention for preventing dehydration in
children with gastroenteritis. Antiemetics and antibiotics may be used in
specific situations but are not the primary intervention.
4. A parent reports that their 6-month-old infant has had diarrhea for 2 days.
Which finding would indicate the infant is developing moderate dehydration?
A) Normal urine output
B) Sunken fontanelle and dry mucous membranes
C) Lethargy and oliguria
D) Normal skin turgor
Correct Answer: Sunken fontanelle and dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Sunken fontanelle, dry mucous membranes, and decreased skin
turgor indicate moderate dehydration. Severe dehydration presents with
lethargy, oliguria, and signs of shock. Normal urine output and skin turgor
indicate mild or no dehydration.
,5. Which of the following is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis
in children?
A) Bacteria
B) Parasites
C) Viruses
D) Food allergies
Correct Answer: Viruses
Rationale: Viruses are the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in
children, with rotavirus and norovirus being the most frequent pathogens.
Bacteria and parasites are less common causes. Food allergies typically
cause chronic symptoms rather than acute gastroenteritis.
6. A nurse is educating the parents of a child with acute gastroenteritis about
signs of dehydration to monitor at home. Which sign indicates the child is
becoming dehydrated?
A) Increased urine output
B) Decreased urine output and dry mouth
C) Increased energy and activity
D) Excessive thirst only
Correct Answer: Decreased urine output and dry mouth
Rationale: Decreased urine output and dry mouth are early signs of
dehydration. Increased urine output, increased energy, and excessive thirst
alone do not indicate dehydration. Parents should monitor urine output,
mucous membranes, and skin turgor.
, 7. Which of the following is a correct component of a rehydration plan for a
child with mild to moderate dehydration?
A) Administer clear fluids only (water, juice)
B) Provide oral rehydration solution (ORS) in small, frequent amounts
C) Restrict all fluids for 12 hours
D) Administer antiemetics before any fluids
Correct Answer: Provide oral rehydration solution (ORS) in small, frequent
amounts
Rationale: Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is the preferred fluid for
rehydration in children with mild to moderate dehydration. Clear fluids like
water and juice do not contain the appropriate electrolyte balance. Fluids
should not be restricted, and antiemetics are not typically needed.
8. The nurse is caring for a child who has been vomiting and has developed
metabolic alkalosis. Which finding supports this acid-base imbalance?
A) Hypoventilation
B) Hyperventilation
C) Increased bicarbonate levels
D) Decreased pH
Correct Answer: Increased bicarbonate levels
Rationale: Vomiting leads to loss of hydrochloric acid and subsequent
metabolic alkalosis. Lab findings include increased bicarbonate and
increased pH. Hypoventilation is a compensatory response but is not a direct
finding of metabolic alkalosis.
Nursing Q&A | Maternal-Child Nursing
1. A 2-year-old child presents with vomiting and diarrhea for 3 days. Which
assessment finding indicates severe dehydration requiring immediate
intervention?
A) Dry mucous membranes
B) Decreased skin turgor
C) Lethargy and decreased urine output
D) Sunken fontanelle
Correct Answer: Lethargy and decreased urine output
Rationale: Lethargy and decreased urine output are signs of severe
dehydration requiring immediate intervention. Dry mucous membranes,
decreased skin turgor, and sunken fontanelle indicate moderate dehydration.
The child should be assessed for signs of shock, and IV fluids may be
needed.
2. A nurse is assessing a child with acute gastroenteritis. Which finding is
most concerning for the development of dehydration?
A) Dry mucous membranes
B) Decreased skin turgor
C) Sunken fontanelle
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes, decreased skin turgor, and a sunken
fontanelle are all signs of dehydration in children with gastroenteritis. The
,nurse should assess for these findings and implement rehydration therapy.
Severe dehydration is a medical emergency.
3. The nurse is caring for a child with acute gastroenteritis. Which
intervention is most important for preventing dehydration?
A) Administer antiemetics
B) Encourage oral rehydration therapy
C) Restrict fluids
D) Administer antibiotics
Correct Answer: Encourage oral rehydration therapy
Rationale: Oral rehydration therapy with an appropriate solution (e.g.,
Pedialyte) is the most important intervention for preventing dehydration in
children with gastroenteritis. Antiemetics and antibiotics may be used in
specific situations but are not the primary intervention.
4. A parent reports that their 6-month-old infant has had diarrhea for 2 days.
Which finding would indicate the infant is developing moderate dehydration?
A) Normal urine output
B) Sunken fontanelle and dry mucous membranes
C) Lethargy and oliguria
D) Normal skin turgor
Correct Answer: Sunken fontanelle and dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Sunken fontanelle, dry mucous membranes, and decreased skin
turgor indicate moderate dehydration. Severe dehydration presents with
lethargy, oliguria, and signs of shock. Normal urine output and skin turgor
indicate mild or no dehydration.
,5. Which of the following is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis
in children?
A) Bacteria
B) Parasites
C) Viruses
D) Food allergies
Correct Answer: Viruses
Rationale: Viruses are the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in
children, with rotavirus and norovirus being the most frequent pathogens.
Bacteria and parasites are less common causes. Food allergies typically
cause chronic symptoms rather than acute gastroenteritis.
6. A nurse is educating the parents of a child with acute gastroenteritis about
signs of dehydration to monitor at home. Which sign indicates the child is
becoming dehydrated?
A) Increased urine output
B) Decreased urine output and dry mouth
C) Increased energy and activity
D) Excessive thirst only
Correct Answer: Decreased urine output and dry mouth
Rationale: Decreased urine output and dry mouth are early signs of
dehydration. Increased urine output, increased energy, and excessive thirst
alone do not indicate dehydration. Parents should monitor urine output,
mucous membranes, and skin turgor.
, 7. Which of the following is a correct component of a rehydration plan for a
child with mild to moderate dehydration?
A) Administer clear fluids only (water, juice)
B) Provide oral rehydration solution (ORS) in small, frequent amounts
C) Restrict all fluids for 12 hours
D) Administer antiemetics before any fluids
Correct Answer: Provide oral rehydration solution (ORS) in small, frequent
amounts
Rationale: Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is the preferred fluid for
rehydration in children with mild to moderate dehydration. Clear fluids like
water and juice do not contain the appropriate electrolyte balance. Fluids
should not be restricted, and antiemetics are not typically needed.
8. The nurse is caring for a child who has been vomiting and has developed
metabolic alkalosis. Which finding supports this acid-base imbalance?
A) Hypoventilation
B) Hyperventilation
C) Increased bicarbonate levels
D) Decreased pH
Correct Answer: Increased bicarbonate levels
Rationale: Vomiting leads to loss of hydrochloric acid and subsequent
metabolic alkalosis. Lab findings include increased bicarbonate and
increased pH. Hypoventilation is a compensatory response but is not a direct
finding of metabolic alkalosis.
