Deck 27: The Child With a Gastrointestinal Condition

Question 1

The nurse explains that the treatment of choice for a child with intussusception is:

A) A barium enema
B) Immediate surgery
C) IV fluids until the spasms subside
D) Gastric lavage

Answer 1

A barium enema

Question 2

The nurse interviewing parents of an infant with pyloric stenosis would expect the parents to report the infant has had:

A) Diarrhea
B) Projectile vomiting
C) Poor appetite
D) Constipation

Answer 2

Projectile vomiting

Question 3

A parent reports that her child has been scratching the anal area and complaining of itching. Based on this information, the nurse might suspect this child has:

A) Pinworms
B) Giardiasis
C) Ringworm
D) Roundworm

Answer 3

Pinworms

Question 4

The nurse, planning a parent education program about lead poisoning prevention, would include the information that the sources of lead in the community are most likely:

A) Increased lead content of air
B) Use of aluminum cookware
C) Deteriorating paint in older buildings
D) Inhaling smog

Question 5

After reviewing dietary restrictions for celiac disease, the nurse determines that a parent understands the information when she states that a grain that can be eaten by a child with celiac disease is:

A) Wheat
B) Oats
C) Barley
D) Rice

Question 6

An appropriate intervention for a 3-month-old infant who has gastroesophageal reflux is to:

A) Position the infant in the crib on its abdomen, with the head elevated.
B) Administer medication as ordered to stimulate the pyloric sphincter.
C) Give thin rice cereal with formula before feeding solid foods.
D) Place the infant in an infant seat after feedings.

Question 7

Intussusception would be suspected when parents describe the child's stools as:

A) Currant jelly
B) Black and tarry
C) Green liquid
D) Greasy and foul-smelling

Question 8

The finding in a newborn assessment suggestive of tracheoesophageal fistula is:

A) Failure to pass meconium in 24 hours
B) Choking on the first feeding
C) Palpable mass in the sternal area
D) Visible peristalsis across abdomen

Question 9

On the second day of hospitalization for a 3-month-old brought in for treatment for gastroenteritis, the nurse makes all of the assessments listed below. The assessment that indicates that the treatment is not effective is:

A) Weight loss of 4 ounces
B) Dry mucous membranes
C) Decreased skin turgor
D) Depressed fontanelle

Question 10

Parents ask the nurse how their infant developed a Meckel's diverticulum. The nurse's response is based on the knowledge that this condition occurs when:

A) The yolk sac remains connected to the intestine.
B) There is inflammation of the ileocecal valve.
C) A pouch forms when the vitelline duct fails to disappear.
D) There is a weakness in the abdominal wall.

Question 11

An infant is admitted to the hospital with severe isotonic dehydration. In planning the infant's care, the nurse is aware the infant is at risk for:

A) Metabolic alkalosis
B) Hypocalcemia
C) Sepsis
D) Shock

Question 12

A child has been diagnosed with ascariasis (roundworm). The statement made by her mother that may suggest a cause for her condition is:

A) "I've been airing out the house on these nice breezy days."
B) "My child often goes out to the garden and pulls up a carrot to eat."
C) "She runs barefoot so much I have to wash her feet at least twice a day."
D) "We just remodeled our bathroom at home."

Question 13

The nurse is aware that rapid respirations are a possible cause of dehydration because they:

A) Prevent the child from drinking
B) Increase circulation, thus increasing urine production
C) Cause evaporation of fluid on the mucous membranes
D) Often lead to vomiting

Question 14

A parent reports that her 2-year-old child experiences constipation frequently. The nurse would recommend to the mother to include in the child's diet:

A) Cooked vegetables
B) Pretzels
C) Whole-grain cereal
D) Yogurt

Question 15

A child is brought to the pediatric clinic because he has been vomiting for the past 2 days. An acid-base imbalance that the nurse would expect to occur from this persistent vomiting is:

A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypernatremia
C) Acidosis
D) Alkalosis

Question 16

The instruction the nurse would give to parents about preventing the spread and reinfection of pinworms is:

A) Keep children's nails short
B) Dress child in loose-fitting underwear
C) Clean the bathroom with bleach solution
D) Wash bed linens in cold water

Question 17

The nurse would expect the stools of a child with celiac disease to have which appearance?

A) Ribbonlike
B) Hard, constipated
C) Bulky, frothy
D) Loose, foul-smelling

Question 18

A frightened mother calls a neighbor because her child swallowed dishwashing detergent. The most appropriate action that the neighbor can advise is:

A) Induce vomiting by giving the child syrup of ipecac.
B) Take the child to the local emergency department.
C) Give the child activated charcoal mixed with juice.
D) Give the child milk to soothe affected mucous membranes.

Question 19

The nurse that is teaching a parent about pyrvinium (Povan) would include the information that the drug will cause:

A) Diarrhea
B) Skin rash
C) Red stool
D) Metallic taste

Question 20

A child is brought to the emergency department because he ingested an unknown quantity of Tylenol. After gastric lavage is completed, the nurse might expect this child to receive:

A) Activated charcoal
B) N-Acetylcysteine
C) Vitamin K
D) Syrup of ipecac

Question 21

A 7-month-old infant is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis. The priority goal of the infant's care is to prevent:

A) Fluid and electrolyte imbalance
B) Nutritional deficiency
C) Skin breakdown
D) Malabsorption

Question 22

The nurse, speaking to the parent of a 3-year-old child who has mild diarrhea, would advise the dietary modification of:

A) Soft diet with rice, bananas, toast, and applesauce
B) Small amounts of clear fluids such as gelatin
C) An oral rehydrating solution such as Pedialyte
D) Chicken soup because it is high in sodium

Question 23

The nurse explains that rickets, a deficiency disease that causes bony deformities, is caused by the inadequate supply of vitamin ____________________.

Question 24

The statement by a mother that may indicate a cause of her son's vitamin C deficiency is:

A) "We get our fruits from homemade preserves."
B) "We use milk from our own goats."
C) "We raise all our own vegetables."
D) "We're not big meat eaters."

Question 25

The nurse, assessing an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) for a baby with gastroenteritis, recognizes that this confirms the ____________________ process that is part of this disease.

Question 26

One reason that infants are more vulnerable to fluid and electrolyte imbalances than adults is that:

A) They have a smaller surface area than adults in proportion to body weight.
B) Water needs and losses per kilogram are lower than those for adults.
C) A greater percentage of body water in infants is extracellular.
D) Infants have a lower metabolic turnover of water.

Question 27

Nursing interventions for the mother of a 10-month-old infant with nonorganic failure to thrive would include:

A) Pointing out errors that the nurse observes when the mother is caring for the infant
B) Discussing negative characteristics of the infant with the mother
C) Having the nurse provide as much of the infant's care as possible
D) Teaching the mother about the developmental milestones to expect in the next few months

Question 28

An infant is admitted to the hospital with severe dehydration. Laboratory results show pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 40, HCO₃ 21. The nurse interprets these values as:

A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Metabolic alkalosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Respiratory alkalosis

Question 29

The nurse would expect a child admitted to the hospital for nonorganic failure to thrive to:

A) Cry to be picked up
B) Be limp like a rag doll
C) Be responsive to cuddling
D) Weigh in the 10th percentile for age

Question 30

The nurse explains that because ____________________ drinks cause diuresis, they are not good choices for fluid replacement in a child who is dehydrated.

Question 31

The nurse reminds parents of a child allergic to cow's milk that they should avoid foods that list ____________________ as part of their contents.

Question 32

When feeding a child with pyloric stenosis, the nurse will: Select all that apply.

A) Give a formula thinned with water.
B) "Burp" the baby before and during feeding.
C) Give the feeding slowly.
D) Refeed if the baby vomits.
E) Position baby on left side after feeding.

Question 33

The nurse instructing a mother how to administer oral nystatin suspension, prescribed to treat thrush, would teach to:

A) Pour the prescribed amount into a nipple and have the infant suck the medication.
B) Squirt the prescribed dose into the back of the mouth and have the infant swallow.
C) Give the medication mixed with a small amount of juice in a bottle.
D) Use a sterile applicator to swab the medication on the oral mucosa.