and Answers
Origin: Chapter 18, 1
1. The nurse is assessing a 7-year-old boy with pharyngitis. What assessment
finding would suggest the child has developed a peritonsillar abscess?
A) Palatal edema
B) Difficulty swallowing
C) Rash on the abdomen
D) Sore throat and headache
Ans: A
Feedback:
Peritonsillar abscess may be noted by asymmetric swelling of the tonsils,
shifting of the uvula to one side, and palatal edema. Difficulty swallowing,
sore throat, and headache are consistent with pharyngitis, as is the rash,
which would be fine, red, and sandpaper-like (called scarlatiniform) but do
not indicate a peritonsillar abscess..
Origin: Chapter 18, 2
2. The nurse hears wheezing when auscultating a 4-year-old. Which
condition would the nurse most likely rule out based on the assessment
findings?
A) Bronchiolitis
B) Asthma
C) Influenza
D) Cystic fibrosis
Ans: C
Feedback:
Wheezing typically is not associated with influenza. Wheezing is
caused by an obstruction of the bronchioles that may be caused by
bronchiolitis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, or chronic lung disease. In
addition, if the bronchiolitis is due to influenza, wheezing may be
heard.
Origin: Chapter 18, 3
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, 3. The nurse is examining an 8-year-old boy with tachycardia and
tachypnea. The nurse anticipates which test as most helpful in
determining the extent of the child's hypoxia?
A) Pulmonary function test
B) Pulse oximetry
C) Peak expiratory flow
D) Chest radiograph
Ans: B
Feedback:
Pulse oximetry is a useful tool for determining the extent of hypoxia. It can
be used by the nurse for continuous or intermittent monitoring. Pulmonary
function testing measures respiratory flow and lung volumes and is
indicated for asthma, cystic fibrosis, and chronic lung disease. Peak
expiratory flow testing is used to monitor the adequacy of asthma control.
Chest radiographs can show hyperinflation, atelectasis, pneumonia,
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, foreign bodies, pleural effusion, and abnormal heart or lung size.
Origin: Chapter 18, 4
4. The nurse is discussing discharge instructions with the parents of a 6-year-
old who had a tonsillectomy. What is the most important thing to stress?
A) Administer analgesics.
B) Encourage the child to drink liquids.
C) Inspect the throat for bleeding.
D) Apply an ice collar.
Ans: C
Feedback:
Inspecting the throat for bleeding is the most important discharge
information to give the parents. Hemorrhage is unusual postoperatively
but may occur any time from the immediate postoperative period to as
late as 10 days after surgery. The nurse should inspect the throat for
bleeding. Mucus tinged with blood may be expected, but fresh blood in the
secretions indicates bleeding. Administering analgesics, encouraging fluids
and applying an ice color are important but not as important as assessing
for bleeding.
Origin: Chapter 18, 5
5.A nurse is administering 100% oxygen to a child with a pneumothorax
based on the understanding that this treatment is used primarily for
which reason?
A) Improve gas exchange
B) Bypass the obstruction
C) Hasten air reabsorption
D) Prevent hypoxemia
Ans: C
Feedback:
Administration of 100% oxygen is used to treat pneumothorax primarily
because it hastens the reabsorption of air. Generally this is used only for a
few hours. Although the oxygen also improves gas exchange and prevents
hypoxemia, these are not the reasons for its use in this situation. There is
no obstruction with a pneumothorax.
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