Pearson Pathophysiology Reviews & Rationales
Fourth Edition
Chapter 2 Cardiac Health Problems, Chapter 4 Neurologic Health Problems, Chapter 13
Infectious Health Problems
A 12-year-old boy is hospitalized and diagnosed with recent human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) infection secondary to factor transfusions for hemophilia. The family is very concerned
about the risk this child presents to other family members and questions whether the child should
remain in the home. Which nursing activity will support the family at this time?
Select all that apply
Show the family how to wash their hands properly.
Explain that prophylactic drugs will prevent the virus from spreading.
Demonstrate positive acceptance of the child with each contact.
Explain to the family that the infection cannot be spread by casual contact.
Provide information about local pediatric nursing care facilities.
Correct Answer: 1, 3, 4
Explanation:
Family education will help the family deal with this disease.
Family coping skills are enhanced by the nurse demonstrating acceptance of the child.
Prophylactic drugs will not stop the virus from spreading.
The family will need to know how to protect themselves from the virus. Handwashing is the first
line of protection and will also be important to reduce the risk of infection to the client when the
immune system becomes further depressed.
It is premature to provide information about nursing care facilities to the family, as it assumes
prematurely that the family does not want the child to remain in the home. They are currently
trying to cope with a new diagnosis and need time to consider many items.
Question: A young infant is admitted to the pediatric unit with a diagnosis of sepsis. The nurse is
completing a nursing assessment. The priority assessment for this infant would be which of the
following?
Jaundice
Respiratory function
Temperature
, Skin integrity
Correct answer: Respiratory function
Explanation:
Altered temperature, jaundice, and respiratory distress are all symptoms of sepsis in infants.
Respiratory function is the highest priority.
Question: A client has a WBC of 15,000, of which 60% are segmented neutrophils (segs) and
3% are bands. An antibiotic is prescribed. Three days later the WBC remains at 15,000; 62%
segs and 1% bands. What conclusion should the nurse draw?
The infection is severe or prolonged and not responding to antimicrobial agents.
The client is immunocompromised.
The infection is resolving.
There is a shift to the right in the differential.
Correct answer: The infection is severe or prolonged and not responding to antimicrobial agents
Explanation:
When the percentage of immature neutrophils (bands) increases at a greater rate than mature
neutrophils (segs), it is an indication that the infection is severe or prolonged. The ability to
mount a white blood cell response to infection indicates a functional immune system. With
bacterial infection there is an increased need for neutrophils. When the percentage of immature
neutrophils (bands) increases at a greater rate than mature neutrophils (segs), it is an indication
that the infection is severe or prolonged. This is often referred to as a shift to the left. When the
percentage of immature neutrophils (bands) increases at a greater rate than mature neutrophils
(segs), it is often referred to as a shift to the left.
Question: A woman with recurring gonorrhea or chlamydia should be concerned about which of
the following?
Urethritis
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pyelonephritis
Arthritis
Correct answer: Pelvic inflammatory disease
Fourth Edition
Chapter 2 Cardiac Health Problems, Chapter 4 Neurologic Health Problems, Chapter 13
Infectious Health Problems
A 12-year-old boy is hospitalized and diagnosed with recent human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) infection secondary to factor transfusions for hemophilia. The family is very concerned
about the risk this child presents to other family members and questions whether the child should
remain in the home. Which nursing activity will support the family at this time?
Select all that apply
Show the family how to wash their hands properly.
Explain that prophylactic drugs will prevent the virus from spreading.
Demonstrate positive acceptance of the child with each contact.
Explain to the family that the infection cannot be spread by casual contact.
Provide information about local pediatric nursing care facilities.
Correct Answer: 1, 3, 4
Explanation:
Family education will help the family deal with this disease.
Family coping skills are enhanced by the nurse demonstrating acceptance of the child.
Prophylactic drugs will not stop the virus from spreading.
The family will need to know how to protect themselves from the virus. Handwashing is the first
line of protection and will also be important to reduce the risk of infection to the client when the
immune system becomes further depressed.
It is premature to provide information about nursing care facilities to the family, as it assumes
prematurely that the family does not want the child to remain in the home. They are currently
trying to cope with a new diagnosis and need time to consider many items.
Question: A young infant is admitted to the pediatric unit with a diagnosis of sepsis. The nurse is
completing a nursing assessment. The priority assessment for this infant would be which of the
following?
Jaundice
Respiratory function
Temperature
, Skin integrity
Correct answer: Respiratory function
Explanation:
Altered temperature, jaundice, and respiratory distress are all symptoms of sepsis in infants.
Respiratory function is the highest priority.
Question: A client has a WBC of 15,000, of which 60% are segmented neutrophils (segs) and
3% are bands. An antibiotic is prescribed. Three days later the WBC remains at 15,000; 62%
segs and 1% bands. What conclusion should the nurse draw?
The infection is severe or prolonged and not responding to antimicrobial agents.
The client is immunocompromised.
The infection is resolving.
There is a shift to the right in the differential.
Correct answer: The infection is severe or prolonged and not responding to antimicrobial agents
Explanation:
When the percentage of immature neutrophils (bands) increases at a greater rate than mature
neutrophils (segs), it is an indication that the infection is severe or prolonged. The ability to
mount a white blood cell response to infection indicates a functional immune system. With
bacterial infection there is an increased need for neutrophils. When the percentage of immature
neutrophils (bands) increases at a greater rate than mature neutrophils (segs), it is an indication
that the infection is severe or prolonged. This is often referred to as a shift to the left. When the
percentage of immature neutrophils (bands) increases at a greater rate than mature neutrophils
(segs), it is often referred to as a shift to the left.
Question: A woman with recurring gonorrhea or chlamydia should be concerned about which of
the following?
Urethritis
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pyelonephritis
Arthritis
Correct answer: Pelvic inflammatory disease
