EXAM 3 MATERNITY/ PEDS
1. A child has had cold symptoms for more than 2 weeks, a headache, nasal congestion with purulent
nasal drainage, facial tenderness, and a cough that increases during sleep. The nurse recognizes that
these symptoms are characteristic of which respiratory condition?
a. Allergic rhinitis
b. Bronchitis
c. Asthma
d. Sinusitis ANS D
A The classic symptoms of allergic rhinitis are watery rhinorrhea, itchy nose, eyes, ears, and palate, and
sneezing. Symptoms occur as long as the child is exposed to the allergen.
B Bronchitis is characterized by a gradual onset of rhinitis and a cough that is initially nonproductive but
may change to a loose cough.
C The manifestations of asthma may vary, with wheezing being a classic sign. The symptoms presented
in the question do not suggest asthma.
D Sinusitis is characterized by signs and symptoms of a cold that do not improve after 14 days, a low-
grade fever, nasal congestion and purulent nasal discharge, headache, tenderness, a feeling of fullness
over the affected sinuses, halitosis, and a cough that increases when the child is lying down.
2. For which problem should the child with chronic otitis media with effusion be evaluated?
a. Brain abscess
b. Meningitis
c. Hearing loss
d. Perforation of the tympanic membrane ANS C
A The infection of acute otitis media can spread to surrounding tissues, causing a brain abscess.
B The infection of acute otitis media can spread to surrounding tissues, causing meningitis.
C Chronic otitis media with effusion is the most common cause of hearing loss in children.
,D Inflammation and pressure from acute otitis media may result in perforation of the tympanic
membrane.
3. The nurse expects the initial plan of care for a 9-month-old child with an acute otitis media infection
to include
a. symptomatic treatment and observation for 48 to 72 hours after diagnosis
b. an oral antibiotic, such as amoxicillin, five times a day for 7 days
c. pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
d. myringotomy with tympanoplasty tubes ANS A
A Select children 6 months of age or older with acute otitis media are treated by initiating symptomatic
treatment and observation for 48 to 72 hours.
B Acute otitis media may be treated with a 5- to 10-day course of oral antibiotics. When treatment is
indicated, amoxicillin at a divided dose of 80 to 90 mg/kg/day given either every 8 or 12 hours for 5 to
10 days may be ordered.
C Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine helps to prevent ear infections but is not included in the initial plan
of care for a child with acute otitis media.
D Surgical intervention is considered when the child has persistent ear infection despite antibiotic
therapy or with otitis media with effusion that persists for more than 3 months and is associated with
hearing loss.
4. Which statement made by a parent indicates an understanding about treatment of streptococcal
pharyngitis?
a. "I guess my child will need to have his tonsils removed."
b. "A couple of days of rest and some ibuprofen will take care of this."
c. "I should give the penicillin three times a day for 10 days."
d. "I am giving my child prednisone to decrease the swelling of the tonsils." ANS C
A Surgical removal of the tonsils is a controversial issue. It may be warranted in cases of recurrent
tonsillitis. It is not indicated for the treatment of acute tonsillitis.
B Comfort measures such as rest and analgesics are indicated, but these will not treat the bacterial
infection.
,C Streptococcal pharyngitis is best treated with oral penicillin two to three times daily for 10 days.
D Corticosteroids are not used in the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis.
5. The father of an infant calls the nurse to his son's room because he is "making a strange noise." A
diagnosis of laryngomalacia is made. What does the nurse expect to find on assessment?
a. Stridor
b. High-pitched cry
c. Nasal congestion
d. Spasmodic cough ANS A
A Stridor is usually present at birth but may begin as late as 2 months. Symptoms increase when the
infant is supine or crying.
B High-pitched cries are consistent with neurologic abnormalities and are not usually respiratory in
nature.
C Nasal congestion is nonspecific in relation to laryngomalacia.
D Spasmodic cough is associated with croup; it is not a common symptom of laryngomalacia.
6. The nurse should assess a child who has had a tonsillectomy for
a. Frequent swallowing
b. Inspiratory stridor
c. Rhonchi
d. Elevated white blood cell count ANS A
A Frequent swallowing is indicative of postoperative bleeding.
B Inspiratory stridor is characteristic of croup.
C Rhonchi are lower airway sounds indicating pneumonia.
D Assessment of blood cell counts is part of a preoperative workup.
, 7. The parent of a toddler calls the nurse, asking about croup. What is a distinguishing manifestation of
spasmodic croup?
a. Wheezing is heard audibly.
b. It has a harsh, barky cough.
c. It is bacterial in nature.
d. The child has a high fever. ANS B
A Wheezing is not a distinguishing manifestation of croup. It can accompany conditions such as asthma
or bronchiolitis.
B Spasmodic croup is viral in origin; is usually preceded by several days of symptoms of upper
respiratory tract infection; often begins at night; and is marked by a harsh, metallic, barky cough; sore
throat; inspiratory stridor; and hoarseness.
C Spasmodic croup is viral in origin.
D A high fever is not usually present.
8. Which intervention for treating croup at home should be taught to parents?
a. Have a decongestant available to give the child when an attack occurs.
b. Have the child sleep in a dry room.
c. Take the child outside.
d. Give the child an antibiotic at bedtime. ANS C
A Decongestants are inappropriate for croup, which affects the middle airway level.
B A dry environment may contribute to symptoms.
C Taking the child into the cool, humid, night air may relieve mucosal swelling and improve symptoms.
D Croup is caused by a virus. Antibiotic treatment is not indicated.
9. A 5-year-old child is brought to the emergency department with copious drooling and a croaking
sound on inspiration. Her mother states that the child is very agitated and only wants to sit upright.
What should be the nurse's first action in this situation?
a. Prepare intubation equipment and call the physician.
1. A child has had cold symptoms for more than 2 weeks, a headache, nasal congestion with purulent
nasal drainage, facial tenderness, and a cough that increases during sleep. The nurse recognizes that
these symptoms are characteristic of which respiratory condition?
a. Allergic rhinitis
b. Bronchitis
c. Asthma
d. Sinusitis ANS D
A The classic symptoms of allergic rhinitis are watery rhinorrhea, itchy nose, eyes, ears, and palate, and
sneezing. Symptoms occur as long as the child is exposed to the allergen.
B Bronchitis is characterized by a gradual onset of rhinitis and a cough that is initially nonproductive but
may change to a loose cough.
C The manifestations of asthma may vary, with wheezing being a classic sign. The symptoms presented
in the question do not suggest asthma.
D Sinusitis is characterized by signs and symptoms of a cold that do not improve after 14 days, a low-
grade fever, nasal congestion and purulent nasal discharge, headache, tenderness, a feeling of fullness
over the affected sinuses, halitosis, and a cough that increases when the child is lying down.
2. For which problem should the child with chronic otitis media with effusion be evaluated?
a. Brain abscess
b. Meningitis
c. Hearing loss
d. Perforation of the tympanic membrane ANS C
A The infection of acute otitis media can spread to surrounding tissues, causing a brain abscess.
B The infection of acute otitis media can spread to surrounding tissues, causing meningitis.
C Chronic otitis media with effusion is the most common cause of hearing loss in children.
,D Inflammation and pressure from acute otitis media may result in perforation of the tympanic
membrane.
3. The nurse expects the initial plan of care for a 9-month-old child with an acute otitis media infection
to include
a. symptomatic treatment and observation for 48 to 72 hours after diagnosis
b. an oral antibiotic, such as amoxicillin, five times a day for 7 days
c. pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
d. myringotomy with tympanoplasty tubes ANS A
A Select children 6 months of age or older with acute otitis media are treated by initiating symptomatic
treatment and observation for 48 to 72 hours.
B Acute otitis media may be treated with a 5- to 10-day course of oral antibiotics. When treatment is
indicated, amoxicillin at a divided dose of 80 to 90 mg/kg/day given either every 8 or 12 hours for 5 to
10 days may be ordered.
C Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine helps to prevent ear infections but is not included in the initial plan
of care for a child with acute otitis media.
D Surgical intervention is considered when the child has persistent ear infection despite antibiotic
therapy or with otitis media with effusion that persists for more than 3 months and is associated with
hearing loss.
4. Which statement made by a parent indicates an understanding about treatment of streptococcal
pharyngitis?
a. "I guess my child will need to have his tonsils removed."
b. "A couple of days of rest and some ibuprofen will take care of this."
c. "I should give the penicillin three times a day for 10 days."
d. "I am giving my child prednisone to decrease the swelling of the tonsils." ANS C
A Surgical removal of the tonsils is a controversial issue. It may be warranted in cases of recurrent
tonsillitis. It is not indicated for the treatment of acute tonsillitis.
B Comfort measures such as rest and analgesics are indicated, but these will not treat the bacterial
infection.
,C Streptococcal pharyngitis is best treated with oral penicillin two to three times daily for 10 days.
D Corticosteroids are not used in the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis.
5. The father of an infant calls the nurse to his son's room because he is "making a strange noise." A
diagnosis of laryngomalacia is made. What does the nurse expect to find on assessment?
a. Stridor
b. High-pitched cry
c. Nasal congestion
d. Spasmodic cough ANS A
A Stridor is usually present at birth but may begin as late as 2 months. Symptoms increase when the
infant is supine or crying.
B High-pitched cries are consistent with neurologic abnormalities and are not usually respiratory in
nature.
C Nasal congestion is nonspecific in relation to laryngomalacia.
D Spasmodic cough is associated with croup; it is not a common symptom of laryngomalacia.
6. The nurse should assess a child who has had a tonsillectomy for
a. Frequent swallowing
b. Inspiratory stridor
c. Rhonchi
d. Elevated white blood cell count ANS A
A Frequent swallowing is indicative of postoperative bleeding.
B Inspiratory stridor is characteristic of croup.
C Rhonchi are lower airway sounds indicating pneumonia.
D Assessment of blood cell counts is part of a preoperative workup.
, 7. The parent of a toddler calls the nurse, asking about croup. What is a distinguishing manifestation of
spasmodic croup?
a. Wheezing is heard audibly.
b. It has a harsh, barky cough.
c. It is bacterial in nature.
d. The child has a high fever. ANS B
A Wheezing is not a distinguishing manifestation of croup. It can accompany conditions such as asthma
or bronchiolitis.
B Spasmodic croup is viral in origin; is usually preceded by several days of symptoms of upper
respiratory tract infection; often begins at night; and is marked by a harsh, metallic, barky cough; sore
throat; inspiratory stridor; and hoarseness.
C Spasmodic croup is viral in origin.
D A high fever is not usually present.
8. Which intervention for treating croup at home should be taught to parents?
a. Have a decongestant available to give the child when an attack occurs.
b. Have the child sleep in a dry room.
c. Take the child outside.
d. Give the child an antibiotic at bedtime. ANS C
A Decongestants are inappropriate for croup, which affects the middle airway level.
B A dry environment may contribute to symptoms.
C Taking the child into the cool, humid, night air may relieve mucosal swelling and improve symptoms.
D Croup is caused by a virus. Antibiotic treatment is not indicated.
9. A 5-year-old child is brought to the emergency department with copious drooling and a croaking
sound on inspiration. Her mother states that the child is very agitated and only wants to sit upright.
What should be the nurse's first action in this situation?
a. Prepare intubation equipment and call the physician.
