ULTIMATE ENPC QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (SOLVED)
A 4-year-old presents with vomiting, lethargy, frequent urination, weight loss, and dry
mucous membranes. Vital signs reveal deep respirations at 44 breaths per minute, BP of
70/44 mm Hg, and HR of 144 beats per minute. Which of the following laboratory values
would be most expected in this child? - Hypoglycemia (wrong)
Remediation feedback:
Children can present with new onset diabetes in diabetic ketoacidosis. Manifestations
include signs of dehydration ( dry mucous membranes, hypotension, tachycardia),
incontinence (polyuria), vomiting, abdominal pain, Kussmaul respirations (to counter the
acidosis), polydipsia, anorexia, and weight loss. Expected laboratory values would reveal an
acidotic state with a pH level below 7.3, an elevated serum bIcarbonate level, and an
elevated blood glucose level > 200 mg.dL.
An 18-month-old is seen for fever, slight circumoral cyanosis, and wheezing noted on
auscultation in the right upper lobe of the lung field after a choking event 4 days ago. The
white blood cell count is elevated and the patient noted to be tachypneic, tachycardic,
agitated, and has an increased respiratory effort. At the time of the event, the patient was
started on antibiotics with subsequent increasing manifestations instead of improvement.
Which of the following would be considered to be definitive treatment for the suspected
diagnosis? - The definitive treatment would be a bronchoscopy in order to retrieve the
suspected foreign body instead of diagnostic tests to locate the foreign body itself.
A child in cardiopulmonary arrest is receiving chest compressions and manual ventilations
with a bag-mask device. Once return of spontaneous circulation has been confirmed, which
of the following would be the priority intervention? - Establishing a secure airway
Parents report their 3-year-old child has developed noisy breathing. On assessment, high-
pitched wheezes are audible and auscultated on inspiration and expiration. What
medication would be appropriate to administer first? - initial medication intervention
includes an inhaled short-acting beta agonist.
A 6-week-old is brought to the emergency department by the caregivers for poor feeding,
listlessness, and fever. Assessment reveals a crying infant, HR 160 beats/minute, RR 52
breaths/minute, rectal temperature of 96.0 F (35.5 C), and a bulging anterior fontanel.
Capillary refill is 4 seconds. Based on these findings what is the most likely diagnostic test
the nurse should anticipate? - Lumbar puncture
A 12-year-old is being prepped for surgical intervention of acute appendicitis. Which of the
following intravenous medication orders should the nurse question? - Ketorolac
Remediation feedback:
,Ketorolac is an appropriate medication for moderate to severe pain, however, it should not
be used pre-operatively due to its potential to increase the bleeding risk.
A 17-year-old female arrives in the ED with her boyfriend who states she is pregnant and
having vaginal bleeding. The patient is unsure of the gestational age and has not had any
prenatal treatment. The patient is quiet and lets her boyfriend answer most of the
questions. Which of the following is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take at
this point? - Have the boyfriend leave the room during the pelvic exam.
A 2-year-old arrives at the ED in hypovolemic shock and needs fluids immediately. After
several attempts, your team has been unsuccessful at establishing vascular access. Of the
following, which is the next best option for establishing access quickly? - Intraosseous in
the patient's medial tibia.
A child with an electrical injury is seen 1 hour post event. Which of the following types of
specimen samples would provide visual information regarding a potential complication of
this injury? - Myoglobin is excreted in the urine and is evidenced by dark, red-tinged urine.
Parents with an infant requiring multiple laboratory tests, radiographic studies, and
invasive procedures appear to be distressed and withdrawn. Which of the following
interventions would best ensure a sense of comfort and control for these parents? -
Providing frequent updates and re-educating them on the care that is being provided
When taking vital signs on a stable infant, which of the following should be done first? -
Respiratory rate
A laceration on a toddler's arm is prepared for suturing. Which of the following
preparations for topical anesthesia would be the best choice for this procedure? - LET
(lidocaine/epinephrine/tetracaine)
Which of the following is appropriate administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for an
acetaminophen overdose? - A bolus infusion of 150 mg/kg NAC should be administered.
A 2-year-old is seen with a 3-day history of irritability, vomiting, and the presence of foul-
smelling urine. The child is hypotensive and tachycardic. Which of the following methods
for obtaining a urine sample is most appropriate in this circumstance? - Urinary
catherization
You are discharging a patient home who has a history of depression. Discharge teaching
should include which of the following? - Ensuring all firearms in the home are locked up
with no access available by the patient.
A 2-year-old arrives with a 2-day history of vomiting and diarrhea. The patient has a fever
of 38.4oC (101.2°F), resting HR of 152 beats/minute, RR of 34 breaths/minute, and blood
pressure of 94/ 56 mm Hg. Assessment reveals a capillary refill time of > 5 seconds. Which
, of the following would be most indicative of the need for intravenous rehydration therapy
for this patient? - Capillary refill
An 8-month-old arrives with a 12-hour history of intermittent abdominal pain, non-bilious
vomiting, and a low grade fever. On assessment the child is intermittently inconsolable
followed by periods of normal activity. A sausage-shaped mass is noted during palpation of
the abdomen. The nurse should prepare for which of the following? - Enema with air
A 13-year -old male presents to the triage desk complaining of nausea and vomiting. The
patient looks distressed and pale. He complains of spasming pain in his right scrotum
which has now become constant and more severe. Which of the following assessment
findings would the nurse expect with this patient? - Elevated right testicle
An 8-year-old trauma patient suddenly develops increased respiratory distress with a rise
in heart rate from 112 beats/minute to 142 beats/minute associated with an abrupt
hypotensive event. Distention of the jugular veins is noted. Which of the following
emergent interventions should be anticipated first? - Needle decompression is emergently
necessary to release the air and allow expansion of the lung again.
An 8-year-old pedestrian is thrown onto the hood of a moving vehicle striking the
windshield. On arrival to the ED. the patient is minimally responsive with active bleeding
from the nose and mouth. The patient is vomiting. Which of the following interventions
would most likely be considered? - Endotracheal intubation
The nurse is reevaluating the effectiveness of interventions for a 4-year-old child with a
suspected tension pneumothorax. Which assessment finding indicates the interventions
were effective? - Bilateral chest wall rise with assisted ventilations.
A 3-year-old is brought by caregivers with generalized tonic-clonic activity,
unresponsiveness, and drooling that began 6 minutes prior to arrival. Which of the
following interventions would be most appropriate for this event? - Administer intranasal
midazolam
A 6-month-old arrives with swelling to the left thigh. Caregivers deny any traumatic event.
Assessment findings include a patient who is active and alert, in the 10th percentile for
length, and has blue-grey sclera. Radiographs reveal a midshaft fracture of the left femur.
Which of the following is the most likely cause? - Osteogenesis imperfecta
A 14-year-old patient had a reduction of a temporomandibular joint dislocation in the ED.
Which of the following should be included in the discharge instructions? - Cold or warm,
not hot, compresses are recommended along with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
medications for pain control.
A 5-year-old patient presents with severe dehydration and signs of shock due to viral
gastroenteritis. Which of the following physiologic responses by this patient will have the
greatest impact on improving their cardiac output? - Increased heart rate
ANSWERS (SOLVED)
A 4-year-old presents with vomiting, lethargy, frequent urination, weight loss, and dry
mucous membranes. Vital signs reveal deep respirations at 44 breaths per minute, BP of
70/44 mm Hg, and HR of 144 beats per minute. Which of the following laboratory values
would be most expected in this child? - Hypoglycemia (wrong)
Remediation feedback:
Children can present with new onset diabetes in diabetic ketoacidosis. Manifestations
include signs of dehydration ( dry mucous membranes, hypotension, tachycardia),
incontinence (polyuria), vomiting, abdominal pain, Kussmaul respirations (to counter the
acidosis), polydipsia, anorexia, and weight loss. Expected laboratory values would reveal an
acidotic state with a pH level below 7.3, an elevated serum bIcarbonate level, and an
elevated blood glucose level > 200 mg.dL.
An 18-month-old is seen for fever, slight circumoral cyanosis, and wheezing noted on
auscultation in the right upper lobe of the lung field after a choking event 4 days ago. The
white blood cell count is elevated and the patient noted to be tachypneic, tachycardic,
agitated, and has an increased respiratory effort. At the time of the event, the patient was
started on antibiotics with subsequent increasing manifestations instead of improvement.
Which of the following would be considered to be definitive treatment for the suspected
diagnosis? - The definitive treatment would be a bronchoscopy in order to retrieve the
suspected foreign body instead of diagnostic tests to locate the foreign body itself.
A child in cardiopulmonary arrest is receiving chest compressions and manual ventilations
with a bag-mask device. Once return of spontaneous circulation has been confirmed, which
of the following would be the priority intervention? - Establishing a secure airway
Parents report their 3-year-old child has developed noisy breathing. On assessment, high-
pitched wheezes are audible and auscultated on inspiration and expiration. What
medication would be appropriate to administer first? - initial medication intervention
includes an inhaled short-acting beta agonist.
A 6-week-old is brought to the emergency department by the caregivers for poor feeding,
listlessness, and fever. Assessment reveals a crying infant, HR 160 beats/minute, RR 52
breaths/minute, rectal temperature of 96.0 F (35.5 C), and a bulging anterior fontanel.
Capillary refill is 4 seconds. Based on these findings what is the most likely diagnostic test
the nurse should anticipate? - Lumbar puncture
A 12-year-old is being prepped for surgical intervention of acute appendicitis. Which of the
following intravenous medication orders should the nurse question? - Ketorolac
Remediation feedback:
,Ketorolac is an appropriate medication for moderate to severe pain, however, it should not
be used pre-operatively due to its potential to increase the bleeding risk.
A 17-year-old female arrives in the ED with her boyfriend who states she is pregnant and
having vaginal bleeding. The patient is unsure of the gestational age and has not had any
prenatal treatment. The patient is quiet and lets her boyfriend answer most of the
questions. Which of the following is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take at
this point? - Have the boyfriend leave the room during the pelvic exam.
A 2-year-old arrives at the ED in hypovolemic shock and needs fluids immediately. After
several attempts, your team has been unsuccessful at establishing vascular access. Of the
following, which is the next best option for establishing access quickly? - Intraosseous in
the patient's medial tibia.
A child with an electrical injury is seen 1 hour post event. Which of the following types of
specimen samples would provide visual information regarding a potential complication of
this injury? - Myoglobin is excreted in the urine and is evidenced by dark, red-tinged urine.
Parents with an infant requiring multiple laboratory tests, radiographic studies, and
invasive procedures appear to be distressed and withdrawn. Which of the following
interventions would best ensure a sense of comfort and control for these parents? -
Providing frequent updates and re-educating them on the care that is being provided
When taking vital signs on a stable infant, which of the following should be done first? -
Respiratory rate
A laceration on a toddler's arm is prepared for suturing. Which of the following
preparations for topical anesthesia would be the best choice for this procedure? - LET
(lidocaine/epinephrine/tetracaine)
Which of the following is appropriate administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for an
acetaminophen overdose? - A bolus infusion of 150 mg/kg NAC should be administered.
A 2-year-old is seen with a 3-day history of irritability, vomiting, and the presence of foul-
smelling urine. The child is hypotensive and tachycardic. Which of the following methods
for obtaining a urine sample is most appropriate in this circumstance? - Urinary
catherization
You are discharging a patient home who has a history of depression. Discharge teaching
should include which of the following? - Ensuring all firearms in the home are locked up
with no access available by the patient.
A 2-year-old arrives with a 2-day history of vomiting and diarrhea. The patient has a fever
of 38.4oC (101.2°F), resting HR of 152 beats/minute, RR of 34 breaths/minute, and blood
pressure of 94/ 56 mm Hg. Assessment reveals a capillary refill time of > 5 seconds. Which
, of the following would be most indicative of the need for intravenous rehydration therapy
for this patient? - Capillary refill
An 8-month-old arrives with a 12-hour history of intermittent abdominal pain, non-bilious
vomiting, and a low grade fever. On assessment the child is intermittently inconsolable
followed by periods of normal activity. A sausage-shaped mass is noted during palpation of
the abdomen. The nurse should prepare for which of the following? - Enema with air
A 13-year -old male presents to the triage desk complaining of nausea and vomiting. The
patient looks distressed and pale. He complains of spasming pain in his right scrotum
which has now become constant and more severe. Which of the following assessment
findings would the nurse expect with this patient? - Elevated right testicle
An 8-year-old trauma patient suddenly develops increased respiratory distress with a rise
in heart rate from 112 beats/minute to 142 beats/minute associated with an abrupt
hypotensive event. Distention of the jugular veins is noted. Which of the following
emergent interventions should be anticipated first? - Needle decompression is emergently
necessary to release the air and allow expansion of the lung again.
An 8-year-old pedestrian is thrown onto the hood of a moving vehicle striking the
windshield. On arrival to the ED. the patient is minimally responsive with active bleeding
from the nose and mouth. The patient is vomiting. Which of the following interventions
would most likely be considered? - Endotracheal intubation
The nurse is reevaluating the effectiveness of interventions for a 4-year-old child with a
suspected tension pneumothorax. Which assessment finding indicates the interventions
were effective? - Bilateral chest wall rise with assisted ventilations.
A 3-year-old is brought by caregivers with generalized tonic-clonic activity,
unresponsiveness, and drooling that began 6 minutes prior to arrival. Which of the
following interventions would be most appropriate for this event? - Administer intranasal
midazolam
A 6-month-old arrives with swelling to the left thigh. Caregivers deny any traumatic event.
Assessment findings include a patient who is active and alert, in the 10th percentile for
length, and has blue-grey sclera. Radiographs reveal a midshaft fracture of the left femur.
Which of the following is the most likely cause? - Osteogenesis imperfecta
A 14-year-old patient had a reduction of a temporomandibular joint dislocation in the ED.
Which of the following should be included in the discharge instructions? - Cold or warm,
not hot, compresses are recommended along with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
medications for pain control.
A 5-year-old patient presents with severe dehydration and signs of shock due to viral
gastroenteritis. Which of the following physiologic responses by this patient will have the
greatest impact on improving their cardiac output? - Increased heart rate
