RN PEDIATRIC NURSING ONLINE
PRACTICE AND ANSWERS.
A nurse is teaching the parent of a preschooler about ways to prevent acute asthma
attacks. Which of the following statements by the parents indicates and understanding
of the teaching?
a. "I will use a humidifier in my child's room at night"
b. "I will give my child a cough suppressant every 6 hours if he has a cough."
c. "I should avoid using a wet mop on my floors when I am cleaning."
d. "I should keep my child indoors when I mow the yard." - Answers-d. "I should keep
my child indoors when I mow the yard."
The nurse should instruct the parent to keep the preschooler indoors during lawn
maintenance or when the pollen count is increased. Guarding against exposure to
known allergens found outdoors, such as grass, tree, and weed pollen, will decrease
the frequency of the preschooler's asthma attacks.
A nurse is assessing a 6-year-old child immediately following surgery for a perforated
appendix. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
a. Purulent drainage from the NG tube
b. Hypoactive bowel sounds
c. Passage of dark-red stool with mucus
d. Urine output of 20 mL/hr - Answers-b. Hypoactive bowel sounds
The nurse should expect hypoactive bowel sounds following appendiceal rupture or if
the child has developed peritonitis. Additionally, hypoactive bowel sounds are an
expected finding immediately following abdominal surgery, until full peristalsis resumes.
The nurse is assessing a school-age child who has an acute spinal cord injury following
a sports injury 1 week ago. Identify the area the nurse should tap to elicit the biceps
reflex. - Answers-A is correct. The nurse should identify that this is the location to tap to
elicit the biceps reflex.
B is incorrect. The nurse should tap this location to elicit the triceps reflex.
C is incorrect. The nurse should tap this location to elicit the brachioradialis reflex.
A nurse on a pediatric unit is caring for a toddler.
Which of the following potential provider prescriptions should the nurse identify as
anticipated or contraindicated?
Potential Provider's Prescription: (Anticipated or Contraindicated)
,1. Administer factor VIII
2. Apply ice packs to the infected joints
3. Administer morphine PRN pain
4. Perform passive range-of-motion (ROM) exercises during the first 12 hr following
injury
5. Elevate the affected joints - Answers-Administer factor VIII is anticipated. The child is
experiencing an acute episode of hemophilia due to a recent fall. During this acute
episode, there is potential for internal bleeding into the joint spaces. Therefore,
administering factor VIII is anticipated to control bleeding.
Apply ice packs to the affected joints is anticipated. The child is experiencing an acute
episode of hemarthrosis due to a recent fall, as evidenced by the bruising and swelling
of the knee joint. Therefore, applying ice packs to the affected joints is anticipated to
manage discomfort and decrease bleeding into the joint.
Administer morphine PRN pain is anticipated. The child is experiencing severe pain.
Opioids can be administered in the inpatient setting to relieve pain. Otherwise,
acetaminophen can be given at home for pain. Aspirin and NSAIDs should be avoided
because they inhibit platelet function and might increase bleeding.
Perform passive range-of-motion (ROM) exercises during the first 12 hr following injury
is contraindicated. The child is experiencing an acute episode of hemarthrosis. Passive
ROM exercises can increase bleeding into the joint for the first 48 hr following injury.
The toddler should be encouraged to exercise the joint as tolerated.
Elevate the affected joints is anticipated. The child is experiencing an acute episode of
hemarthrosis due to a recent fall, as evidenced by the bruising and swelling of the knee
joint. Elevation of the joint, along with the application of ice, is anticipated to help
decrease bleeding and swelling in the joint.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to the parent of an 18-month-old toddler who
has dehydration due to acute diarrhea. Which of the following statements by the parent
indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a. "I will offer my child small amounts of fruit juice frequently.."
b. "I will avoid giving my child solid foods until the diarrhea has stopped,"
c. "I will monitor my child's number of wet diapers."
d. "I will give my child polyethylene glycol daily for 7 days." - Answers-c. "I will monitor
my child's number of wet diapers."
The nurse should teach the parent to closely monitor the child's number of wet diapers.
Monitoring the number of wet diapers per day is an effective way for the parent to
monitor adequate output and hydration status.
A nurse on a pediatric unit is caring for a school-age child.
, After reviewing the information in the child's medical record, which of the following
findings should the nurse address first?
The nurse should address the child's (oxygen saturation/joint swelling/fever) followed by
the child's (pain/anemia/hydration). - Answers-Dropdown 1:
Oxygen saturation is correct. The child's pulse oximeter reading is below the expected
reference range. The nurse should take action to maintain the child's oxygen saturation
above 95%. When using the urgent vs. non-urgent approach to client care, the nurse
should identify that addressing the child's hypoxia is the priority intervention.
Joint swelling and fever are incorrect. Swelling of the joints is non-urgent because it is
an expected finding for a child who has sickle cell disease. A low-grade fever is an
expected finding for a child who is experiencing a vaso-occlusive crisis. Therefore, there
is another finding that is the nurse's priority.
Dropdown 2:
Pain is correct. The child reported their pain as 8 on a scale of 0 to 10, which indicates
severe pain. Vaso-occlusive crises can cause severe pain due to tissue ischemia from
sickled cells obstructing blood flow. When using the urgent vs. non-urgent approach to
client care, the nurse should identify that addressing the child's pain is the priority after
addressing the child's hypoxia.
Anemia and hydration are incorrect. The child's hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are
below the expected reference range. Medications are often prescribed to increase the
production of red blood cells. However, this is a non-urgent finding. The child's oral
mucosa indicates dehydration, which can worsen the manifestations of a vaso-occlusive
crisis. However, this is a non-urgent finding. Therefore, there is another finding that is
the nurse's priority.
A nurse is caring for a school-age child following an appendectomy.
After reviewing the information in the child's medical record, which of the following
findings should the nurse identify as a potential complication? Select the 3 findings from
the child's medical record that the nurse should identify as indications of a potential
complication.
WBC count, Oxygen saturation level, Platelets, Abdomen assessment, Temperature,
Abdominal dressings assessment - Answers-WBC count is correct. The child's WBC
count has increased significantly following the procedure. The nurse should identify that
this is a potential indication of a postoperative infection.
Oxygen saturation level is incorrect. The child's oxygen saturation level is within the
expected reference range. Therefore this finding does not indicate a potential
complication.
PRACTICE AND ANSWERS.
A nurse is teaching the parent of a preschooler about ways to prevent acute asthma
attacks. Which of the following statements by the parents indicates and understanding
of the teaching?
a. "I will use a humidifier in my child's room at night"
b. "I will give my child a cough suppressant every 6 hours if he has a cough."
c. "I should avoid using a wet mop on my floors when I am cleaning."
d. "I should keep my child indoors when I mow the yard." - Answers-d. "I should keep
my child indoors when I mow the yard."
The nurse should instruct the parent to keep the preschooler indoors during lawn
maintenance or when the pollen count is increased. Guarding against exposure to
known allergens found outdoors, such as grass, tree, and weed pollen, will decrease
the frequency of the preschooler's asthma attacks.
A nurse is assessing a 6-year-old child immediately following surgery for a perforated
appendix. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
a. Purulent drainage from the NG tube
b. Hypoactive bowel sounds
c. Passage of dark-red stool with mucus
d. Urine output of 20 mL/hr - Answers-b. Hypoactive bowel sounds
The nurse should expect hypoactive bowel sounds following appendiceal rupture or if
the child has developed peritonitis. Additionally, hypoactive bowel sounds are an
expected finding immediately following abdominal surgery, until full peristalsis resumes.
The nurse is assessing a school-age child who has an acute spinal cord injury following
a sports injury 1 week ago. Identify the area the nurse should tap to elicit the biceps
reflex. - Answers-A is correct. The nurse should identify that this is the location to tap to
elicit the biceps reflex.
B is incorrect. The nurse should tap this location to elicit the triceps reflex.
C is incorrect. The nurse should tap this location to elicit the brachioradialis reflex.
A nurse on a pediatric unit is caring for a toddler.
Which of the following potential provider prescriptions should the nurse identify as
anticipated or contraindicated?
Potential Provider's Prescription: (Anticipated or Contraindicated)
,1. Administer factor VIII
2. Apply ice packs to the infected joints
3. Administer morphine PRN pain
4. Perform passive range-of-motion (ROM) exercises during the first 12 hr following
injury
5. Elevate the affected joints - Answers-Administer factor VIII is anticipated. The child is
experiencing an acute episode of hemophilia due to a recent fall. During this acute
episode, there is potential for internal bleeding into the joint spaces. Therefore,
administering factor VIII is anticipated to control bleeding.
Apply ice packs to the affected joints is anticipated. The child is experiencing an acute
episode of hemarthrosis due to a recent fall, as evidenced by the bruising and swelling
of the knee joint. Therefore, applying ice packs to the affected joints is anticipated to
manage discomfort and decrease bleeding into the joint.
Administer morphine PRN pain is anticipated. The child is experiencing severe pain.
Opioids can be administered in the inpatient setting to relieve pain. Otherwise,
acetaminophen can be given at home for pain. Aspirin and NSAIDs should be avoided
because they inhibit platelet function and might increase bleeding.
Perform passive range-of-motion (ROM) exercises during the first 12 hr following injury
is contraindicated. The child is experiencing an acute episode of hemarthrosis. Passive
ROM exercises can increase bleeding into the joint for the first 48 hr following injury.
The toddler should be encouraged to exercise the joint as tolerated.
Elevate the affected joints is anticipated. The child is experiencing an acute episode of
hemarthrosis due to a recent fall, as evidenced by the bruising and swelling of the knee
joint. Elevation of the joint, along with the application of ice, is anticipated to help
decrease bleeding and swelling in the joint.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to the parent of an 18-month-old toddler who
has dehydration due to acute diarrhea. Which of the following statements by the parent
indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a. "I will offer my child small amounts of fruit juice frequently.."
b. "I will avoid giving my child solid foods until the diarrhea has stopped,"
c. "I will monitor my child's number of wet diapers."
d. "I will give my child polyethylene glycol daily for 7 days." - Answers-c. "I will monitor
my child's number of wet diapers."
The nurse should teach the parent to closely monitor the child's number of wet diapers.
Monitoring the number of wet diapers per day is an effective way for the parent to
monitor adequate output and hydration status.
A nurse on a pediatric unit is caring for a school-age child.
, After reviewing the information in the child's medical record, which of the following
findings should the nurse address first?
The nurse should address the child's (oxygen saturation/joint swelling/fever) followed by
the child's (pain/anemia/hydration). - Answers-Dropdown 1:
Oxygen saturation is correct. The child's pulse oximeter reading is below the expected
reference range. The nurse should take action to maintain the child's oxygen saturation
above 95%. When using the urgent vs. non-urgent approach to client care, the nurse
should identify that addressing the child's hypoxia is the priority intervention.
Joint swelling and fever are incorrect. Swelling of the joints is non-urgent because it is
an expected finding for a child who has sickle cell disease. A low-grade fever is an
expected finding for a child who is experiencing a vaso-occlusive crisis. Therefore, there
is another finding that is the nurse's priority.
Dropdown 2:
Pain is correct. The child reported their pain as 8 on a scale of 0 to 10, which indicates
severe pain. Vaso-occlusive crises can cause severe pain due to tissue ischemia from
sickled cells obstructing blood flow. When using the urgent vs. non-urgent approach to
client care, the nurse should identify that addressing the child's pain is the priority after
addressing the child's hypoxia.
Anemia and hydration are incorrect. The child's hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are
below the expected reference range. Medications are often prescribed to increase the
production of red blood cells. However, this is a non-urgent finding. The child's oral
mucosa indicates dehydration, which can worsen the manifestations of a vaso-occlusive
crisis. However, this is a non-urgent finding. Therefore, there is another finding that is
the nurse's priority.
A nurse is caring for a school-age child following an appendectomy.
After reviewing the information in the child's medical record, which of the following
findings should the nurse identify as a potential complication? Select the 3 findings from
the child's medical record that the nurse should identify as indications of a potential
complication.
WBC count, Oxygen saturation level, Platelets, Abdomen assessment, Temperature,
Abdominal dressings assessment - Answers-WBC count is correct. The child's WBC
count has increased significantly following the procedure. The nurse should identify that
this is a potential indication of a postoperative infection.
Oxygen saturation level is incorrect. The child's oxygen saturation level is within the
expected reference range. Therefore this finding does not indicate a potential
complication.
