©THEBRIGHT 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 10:15AM A+
PEDS: Nursing Care of the Child with a
Neurologic Disorder. Exam Questions And
Answers |Latest 2025 | Guaranteed Pass.
A school-aged girl with seizures is prescribed phenytoin sodium, 75 mg four times a day. An
instruction you would want to give her parents regarding this is
a) their child will have to practice good tooth brushing.
b) even small doses may cause noticeable dizziness.
c) watching television while taking the drug may cause seizures.
d) numbness of the fingers is common while taking this drug. - Answer✔their child will have to
practice good tooth brushing.
Explanation:
A side effect of phenytoin sodium is hypertrophy of the gumline. Good tooth brushing helps
prevent inflammation under the hypertrophied tissue.
Any individual taking phenobarbital for a seizure disorder should be taught
a) never to go swimming.
b) never to discontinue the drug abruptly.
c) to brush his or her teeth four times a day.
d) to avoid foods containing caffeine. - Answer✔never to discontinue the drug abruptly.
Correct
Explanation:
Phenobarbital should always be tapered, not stopped abruptly, or seizures from the child's
dependency on the drug can result.
1
,©THEBRIGHT 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 10:15AM A+
Antibiotic therapy to treat meningitis should be instituted immediately after which event?
a) Identification of the causative organism
b) Collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood for culture
c) Initiation of I.V. therapy
d) Admission to the nursing unit - Answer✔Collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood for
culture
Explanation:
Antibiotic therapy should always begin immediately after the collection of CSF and blood
cultures. After the specific organism is identified, bacteria-specific antibiotics can be
administered if the initial choice of antibiotic therapy isn't appropriate. Admission and initiation
of I.V. therapy aren't, by themselves, appropriate times to begin antibiotic therapy.
The mother of a 12-year-old with Reye syndrome approaches the nurse wanting to know how
this happened to her child, saying, "I never give my kids aspirin!" What could the nurse say to
begin educating the woman?
a) "Sometimes it's hard to tell what products may contain aspirin."
b) "Don't worry; you're in good hands. We have it under control now."
c) "Aspirin in combination with the virus will make the brain swell and the liver fail."
d) "Do you think that maybe your child took aspirin on his own?" - Answer✔"Sometimes it's
hard to tell what products may contain aspirin."
Correct
Explanation:
Salicylates are in a wide variety of products, so consumers must read the small print very
carefully or they will miss the warning. The parent needs to be receptive to further education,
and raising the possibility the child was responsible does not accomplish that goal. Don't state
the obvious, but also don't minimize the situation. Encouraging the mother to ask for
information and offering explanations in terms she will understand are important, but this
response does not address the mother's assertion.
Dexamethasone (Decadron) is often prescribed for the child who has sustained a severe head
injury. Decadron is a(n)
2
,©THEBRIGHT 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 10:15AM A+
a) diuretic.
b) anticonvulsant.
c) steroid.
d) antihistamine. - Answer✔steroid.
Correct
Explanation:
A steroid may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and pressure on vital centers.
A child has been diagnosed with a basilar skull fracture. The nurse identifies ecchymosis behind
the patient's ear. This would be documented as which of the following?
a) Raccoon eyes
b) Otorrhea
c) Battle sign
d) Rhinorrhea - Answer✔Battle sign
Correct
Explanation:
Two signs of basilar skull fracture include Battle sign (bruising or ecchymosis behind the ear)
and "raccoon eyes" (blood leaking into the frontal sinuses causing an edematous and bruised
periorbital area). Rhinorrhea is CSF leakage from the nose. Otorrhea is CSF leaking from the ear.
The mother of a newborn with a caput succedaneum asks the nurse how this happened to her
baby. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
a) "It's normal for this to happen, but they don't really know why."
b) "During delivery, your vaginal wall put pressure on the baby's head."
c) "Your baby's head became blocked inside your vagina while you were pushing."
d) "The forceps used during delivery caused this to happen." - Answer✔"During delivery, your
vaginal wall put pressure on the baby's head."
Correct
3
, ©THEBRIGHT 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 10:15AM A+
Explanation:
Caput succedaneum results from pressure from the uterus or vaginal wall during a head-first
delivery The use of forceps is associated with a cephalohematoma. Caput succedaneum is not
due to the baby's head becoming blocked inside the vagina. The cause of caput succedaneum is
known; it is caused by pressure from the uterus or vaginal wall during a head-first delivery.
The nurse is educating parents of a male infant with Chiari type II malformation. Which of the
following statements about their child's condition is most accurate?
a) "You won't need to change diapers often."
b) "Lay him down after feeding."
c) "Take your time feeding your baby."
d) "You'll see a big difference after the surgery." - Answer✔"Take your time feeding your
baby."
Explanation:
One of the problems associated with Chiari type II malformation is poor gag and swallowing
reflexes, so the infant must be fed slowly. There is a great risk of aspiration, requiring that the
child be placed in an upright position after feeding. The goal of surgery is to prevent further
symptoms, rather than to relieve existing ones. Infrequent urination is a problem associated
with type I malformations.
The nurse is educating the family of a 7-year-old epilepsy patient about care and safety for this
child. Which of the following comments will be most valuable in helping the parent and the
child cope?
a) "Use this information to teach family and friends."
b) "If he is out of bed, the helmet's on the head."
c) "You'll always need a monitor in his room."
d) "Bike riding and swimming are just too dangerous." - Answer✔"Use this information to
teach family and friends."
Explanation:
Families need and want information they can share with relatives, childcare providers, and
teachers. Wearing a helmet and having a monitor in the room are precautions that may need to
4
PEDS: Nursing Care of the Child with a
Neurologic Disorder. Exam Questions And
Answers |Latest 2025 | Guaranteed Pass.
A school-aged girl with seizures is prescribed phenytoin sodium, 75 mg four times a day. An
instruction you would want to give her parents regarding this is
a) their child will have to practice good tooth brushing.
b) even small doses may cause noticeable dizziness.
c) watching television while taking the drug may cause seizures.
d) numbness of the fingers is common while taking this drug. - Answer✔their child will have to
practice good tooth brushing.
Explanation:
A side effect of phenytoin sodium is hypertrophy of the gumline. Good tooth brushing helps
prevent inflammation under the hypertrophied tissue.
Any individual taking phenobarbital for a seizure disorder should be taught
a) never to go swimming.
b) never to discontinue the drug abruptly.
c) to brush his or her teeth four times a day.
d) to avoid foods containing caffeine. - Answer✔never to discontinue the drug abruptly.
Correct
Explanation:
Phenobarbital should always be tapered, not stopped abruptly, or seizures from the child's
dependency on the drug can result.
1
,©THEBRIGHT 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 10:15AM A+
Antibiotic therapy to treat meningitis should be instituted immediately after which event?
a) Identification of the causative organism
b) Collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood for culture
c) Initiation of I.V. therapy
d) Admission to the nursing unit - Answer✔Collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood for
culture
Explanation:
Antibiotic therapy should always begin immediately after the collection of CSF and blood
cultures. After the specific organism is identified, bacteria-specific antibiotics can be
administered if the initial choice of antibiotic therapy isn't appropriate. Admission and initiation
of I.V. therapy aren't, by themselves, appropriate times to begin antibiotic therapy.
The mother of a 12-year-old with Reye syndrome approaches the nurse wanting to know how
this happened to her child, saying, "I never give my kids aspirin!" What could the nurse say to
begin educating the woman?
a) "Sometimes it's hard to tell what products may contain aspirin."
b) "Don't worry; you're in good hands. We have it under control now."
c) "Aspirin in combination with the virus will make the brain swell and the liver fail."
d) "Do you think that maybe your child took aspirin on his own?" - Answer✔"Sometimes it's
hard to tell what products may contain aspirin."
Correct
Explanation:
Salicylates are in a wide variety of products, so consumers must read the small print very
carefully or they will miss the warning. The parent needs to be receptive to further education,
and raising the possibility the child was responsible does not accomplish that goal. Don't state
the obvious, but also don't minimize the situation. Encouraging the mother to ask for
information and offering explanations in terms she will understand are important, but this
response does not address the mother's assertion.
Dexamethasone (Decadron) is often prescribed for the child who has sustained a severe head
injury. Decadron is a(n)
2
,©THEBRIGHT 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 10:15AM A+
a) diuretic.
b) anticonvulsant.
c) steroid.
d) antihistamine. - Answer✔steroid.
Correct
Explanation:
A steroid may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and pressure on vital centers.
A child has been diagnosed with a basilar skull fracture. The nurse identifies ecchymosis behind
the patient's ear. This would be documented as which of the following?
a) Raccoon eyes
b) Otorrhea
c) Battle sign
d) Rhinorrhea - Answer✔Battle sign
Correct
Explanation:
Two signs of basilar skull fracture include Battle sign (bruising or ecchymosis behind the ear)
and "raccoon eyes" (blood leaking into the frontal sinuses causing an edematous and bruised
periorbital area). Rhinorrhea is CSF leakage from the nose. Otorrhea is CSF leaking from the ear.
The mother of a newborn with a caput succedaneum asks the nurse how this happened to her
baby. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
a) "It's normal for this to happen, but they don't really know why."
b) "During delivery, your vaginal wall put pressure on the baby's head."
c) "Your baby's head became blocked inside your vagina while you were pushing."
d) "The forceps used during delivery caused this to happen." - Answer✔"During delivery, your
vaginal wall put pressure on the baby's head."
Correct
3
, ©THEBRIGHT 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 10:15AM A+
Explanation:
Caput succedaneum results from pressure from the uterus or vaginal wall during a head-first
delivery The use of forceps is associated with a cephalohematoma. Caput succedaneum is not
due to the baby's head becoming blocked inside the vagina. The cause of caput succedaneum is
known; it is caused by pressure from the uterus or vaginal wall during a head-first delivery.
The nurse is educating parents of a male infant with Chiari type II malformation. Which of the
following statements about their child's condition is most accurate?
a) "You won't need to change diapers often."
b) "Lay him down after feeding."
c) "Take your time feeding your baby."
d) "You'll see a big difference after the surgery." - Answer✔"Take your time feeding your
baby."
Explanation:
One of the problems associated with Chiari type II malformation is poor gag and swallowing
reflexes, so the infant must be fed slowly. There is a great risk of aspiration, requiring that the
child be placed in an upright position after feeding. The goal of surgery is to prevent further
symptoms, rather than to relieve existing ones. Infrequent urination is a problem associated
with type I malformations.
The nurse is educating the family of a 7-year-old epilepsy patient about care and safety for this
child. Which of the following comments will be most valuable in helping the parent and the
child cope?
a) "Use this information to teach family and friends."
b) "If he is out of bed, the helmet's on the head."
c) "You'll always need a monitor in his room."
d) "Bike riding and swimming are just too dangerous." - Answer✔"Use this information to
teach family and friends."
Explanation:
Families need and want information they can share with relatives, childcare providers, and
teachers. Wearing a helmet and having a monitor in the room are precautions that may need to
4
