FAILED QUESTIONS
Exact Textbook Question
Review of Missed Questions
Pediatric Gastroenteritis & Enterocolitis
NCLEX Questions — Corrections
Question 1
Question
A 2-year-old is diagnosed with viral gastroenteritis. Which assessment finding is most
concerning?
A. One episode of vomiting
B. Dry mucous membranes and decreased urine output
C. Mild abdominal cramping
D. Decreased appetite
Answer
✅ B. Dry mucous membranes and decreased urine output
Rationale
The greatest risk in pediatric gastroenteritis is dehydration. Dry mucous membranes and
decreased urine output are classic signs of fluid volume deficit and require immediate
intervention.
Question 2
Question
,A child with gastroenteritis has had diarrhea for 2 days. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Restrict all oral fluids for 24 hours
B. Encourage oral rehydration solution (ORS)
C. Administer antibiotics immediately
D. Give only clear soda
Answer
✅ B. Encourage oral rehydration solution (ORS)
Rationale
Oral rehydration solutions such as Pedialyte replace fluids and electrolytes lost through diarrhea
and vomiting. Most pediatric gastroenteritis is viral and does not require antibiotics.
Question 3
Question
Which symptom most commonly occurs first in pediatric gastroenteritis?
A. Right lower quadrant pain
B. Vomiting
C. Jaundice
D. Clay-colored stools
Answer
✅ B. Vomiting
Rationale
Gastroenteritis typically presents with vomiting first, followed by abdominal pain and diarrhea.
This helps distinguish it from appendicitis, where pain occurs before vomiting.
Question 4
Question
,Which finding suggests severe dehydration in a child with gastroenteritis?
A. Tears present when crying
B. Moist oral mucosa
C. Sunken eyes and delayed capillary refill
D. Increased urine output
Answer
✅ C. Sunken eyes and delayed capillary refill
Rationale
Sunken eyes and delayed capillary refill indicate significant dehydration and poor tissue
perfusion.
Question 5
Question
The nurse is teaching parents about oral rehydration therapy. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. Sports drinks are the best choice.
B. We should use an oral rehydration solution like Pedialyte.
C. We will stop all fluids until vomiting stops.
D. Fruit juice should replace lost electrolytes.
Answer
✅ B. We should use an oral rehydration solution like Pedialyte.
Rationale
Pedialyte and similar ORS products contain the proper balance of glucose and electrolytes
needed to treat dehydration.
Question 6
Question
, A child with Hirschsprung disease develops fever, abdominal distention, and explosive diarrhea.
The nurse suspects:
A. Appendicitis
B. Pyloric stenosis
C. Enterocolitis
D. Intussusception
Answer
✅ C. Enterocolitis
Rationale
Enterocolitis is a life-threatening complication of Hirschsprung disease characterized by fever,
explosive diarrhea, abdominal distention, and lethargy.
Question 7
Question
Which assessment finding is most concerning in a child with suspected enterocolitis?
A. Mild constipation
B. Fever and lethargy
C. Passing flatus
D. Increased appetite
Answer
✅ B. Fever and lethargy
Rationale
Fever and lethargy may indicate worsening infection and progression toward sepsis.
Question 8
Question
Exact Textbook Question
Review of Missed Questions
Pediatric Gastroenteritis & Enterocolitis
NCLEX Questions — Corrections
Question 1
Question
A 2-year-old is diagnosed with viral gastroenteritis. Which assessment finding is most
concerning?
A. One episode of vomiting
B. Dry mucous membranes and decreased urine output
C. Mild abdominal cramping
D. Decreased appetite
Answer
✅ B. Dry mucous membranes and decreased urine output
Rationale
The greatest risk in pediatric gastroenteritis is dehydration. Dry mucous membranes and
decreased urine output are classic signs of fluid volume deficit and require immediate
intervention.
Question 2
Question
,A child with gastroenteritis has had diarrhea for 2 days. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Restrict all oral fluids for 24 hours
B. Encourage oral rehydration solution (ORS)
C. Administer antibiotics immediately
D. Give only clear soda
Answer
✅ B. Encourage oral rehydration solution (ORS)
Rationale
Oral rehydration solutions such as Pedialyte replace fluids and electrolytes lost through diarrhea
and vomiting. Most pediatric gastroenteritis is viral and does not require antibiotics.
Question 3
Question
Which symptom most commonly occurs first in pediatric gastroenteritis?
A. Right lower quadrant pain
B. Vomiting
C. Jaundice
D. Clay-colored stools
Answer
✅ B. Vomiting
Rationale
Gastroenteritis typically presents with vomiting first, followed by abdominal pain and diarrhea.
This helps distinguish it from appendicitis, where pain occurs before vomiting.
Question 4
Question
,Which finding suggests severe dehydration in a child with gastroenteritis?
A. Tears present when crying
B. Moist oral mucosa
C. Sunken eyes and delayed capillary refill
D. Increased urine output
Answer
✅ C. Sunken eyes and delayed capillary refill
Rationale
Sunken eyes and delayed capillary refill indicate significant dehydration and poor tissue
perfusion.
Question 5
Question
The nurse is teaching parents about oral rehydration therapy. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. Sports drinks are the best choice.
B. We should use an oral rehydration solution like Pedialyte.
C. We will stop all fluids until vomiting stops.
D. Fruit juice should replace lost electrolytes.
Answer
✅ B. We should use an oral rehydration solution like Pedialyte.
Rationale
Pedialyte and similar ORS products contain the proper balance of glucose and electrolytes
needed to treat dehydration.
Question 6
Question
, A child with Hirschsprung disease develops fever, abdominal distention, and explosive diarrhea.
The nurse suspects:
A. Appendicitis
B. Pyloric stenosis
C. Enterocolitis
D. Intussusception
Answer
✅ C. Enterocolitis
Rationale
Enterocolitis is a life-threatening complication of Hirschsprung disease characterized by fever,
explosive diarrhea, abdominal distention, and lethargy.
Question 7
Question
Which assessment finding is most concerning in a child with suspected enterocolitis?
A. Mild constipation
B. Fever and lethargy
C. Passing flatus
D. Increased appetite
Answer
✅ B. Fever and lethargy
Rationale
Fever and lethargy may indicate worsening infection and progression toward sepsis.
Question 8
Question
