2026/2027 Jersey College
Q1. A child admitted with suspected bacterial meningitis should
initially be placed under which transmission-based precaution?
A) Airborne precautions
B) Droplet precautions
C) Protective isolation
D) Contact precautions only
Correct Answer: B) Droplet precautions
Rationale: Bacterial meningitis caused by organisms spread through
respiratory droplets requires droplet precautions during the infectious period
in addition to standard precautions.
Q2. Which assessment finding in an infant should raise concern for
meningitis?
A) Strong appetite and playful behavior
B) Mild isolated rhinorrhea
C) Increased interest in feeding
D) Irritability, poor feeding, altered responsiveness, and a bulging fontanel
Correct Answer: D) Irritability, poor feeding, altered responsiveness, and a
bulging fontanel
Rationale: Infants with meningitis may have nonspecific findings such as
irritability, lethargy, poor feeding, temperature instability, vomiting, seizures,
or a bulging fontanel.
Q3. A child with bacterial meningitis suddenly develops a
generalized seizure. What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Protect the airway and child from injury while assessing respiratory status
B) Insert an object between the child's teeth
C) Restrain the extremities firmly
D) Offer oral fluids immediately
Correct Answer: A) Protect the airway and child from injury while assessing
respiratory status
Rationale: During a seizure, airway protection and prevention of injury are
priorities. Restraining the child or placing objects in the mouth can cause
harm.
, Q4. Which finding is most consistent with measles?
A) Vesicular lesions in several stages of healing
B) Parotid swelling
C) Fever, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, and a spreading maculopapular rash
D) Localized honey-colored crusts
Correct Answer: C) Fever, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, and a spreading
maculopapular rash
Rationale: Measles classically produces fever with cough, coryza,
conjunctivitis, characteristic oral lesions, and a generalized maculopapular
rash.
Q5. Which transmission precaution is appropriate for a hospitalized
child with measles?
A) Contact precautions only
B) Airborne precautions
C) Droplet precautions only
D) Protective isolation
Correct Answer: B) Airborne precautions
Rationale: Measles is highly contagious and spreads through airborne
particles, requiring airborne precautions.
Q6. A child with varicella is admitted to the pediatric unit. Which
precautions should the nurse anticipate?
A) Airborne and contact precautions
B) Standard precautions only
C) Droplet precautions only
D) Reverse isolation
Correct Answer: A) Airborne and contact precautions
Rationale: Varicella can spread through airborne transmission and direct
contact with vesicular fluid.
Q7. Which skin finding is most characteristic of varicella?
A) A single painless ulcer
B) Petechiae limited to the legs
C) Uniform lesions all appearing at the same developmental stage