Deck 11: Nursing Considerations for the Hospitalized Child

Question 1

A toddler recently diagnosed with a seizure disorder will be discharged home on an anticonvulsant. Which action by the mother best demonstrates understanding of how to give the medication?
1) Verbalizing how to give the medication
2) Acknowledging understanding of written instructions
3) Drawing up the medication correctly in an oral syringe and administering it to the child
4) Observing the nurse draw up the medication and administering it to the child.

Answer 1

3

Question 2

The nurse is providing care to a preschool-age client who was admitted to the medical-surgical unit after an acute asthma attack. Which interventions foster a family-centered focus to client care? Select all that apply.
1) Discussing rooming in with the parents of the client
2) Allowing the client to "cry it out" after the parents leave for the evening
3) Providing comfort items from home, such as a blanket
4) Maintaining strict visitation for the family
5) Discussing what to expect during the hospital stay

Answer 2

1, 3, 5

Question 3

The child was just transferred to the postanesthesia unit (PACU) and report given. The nurse has performed baseline vital signs, the child is stable and pain is under control. What should the nurse do next?
1) Document
2) Allow the parents to visit the child
3) Discharge the child
4) Look for signs of infection
5) Offer clear liquids

Answer 3

2

Question 4

The charge nurse on a hospital unit is developing plans of care related to separation anxiety. The charge nurse recognizes that which hospitalized child at highest risk to experience separation anxiety when parents cannot stay?
1) 6-month-old
2) 18-month-old
3) 3-year-old
4) 4-year-old

Question 5

The nurse is caring for a client in the pediatric intensive-care unit (PICU). The parents have expressed anger over the nursing care their child is receiving. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate based on the situation?
1) Ask the physician to talk with the family.
2) Explain to the parents that their anger is affecting their child so they will not be allowed to visit the child until they calm down.
3) Acknowledge the parents' concerns and collaborate with them regarding the care of their child.
4) Call the chaplain to sit with the family.

Question 6

An infant has been NPO for surgery for 4 hours and does not have an intravenous line. The nurse receives a call from the operating room with the information that the surgery has been postponed due to an emergency. Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?
1) Feed the infant 4 ounces of formula.
2) Reassure the parents that it will not be much longer before surgery.
3) Allow the parents to feed the infant an ounce of oral rehydration solution.
4) Call the physician to see if the infant needs to have an intravenous line started.

Question 7

The parents of a critically injured child wish to stay in the room while the child is receiving emergency care. Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?
1) Escort the parents to the waiting room and assure them that they can see their child soon.
2) Allow the parents to stay with the child.
3) Ask the physician if the parents can stay with the child.
4) Tell the parents that they do not need to stay with the child.

Question 8

The nurse needs to administer a medication to a preschool-age child. The medication is only available in tablet form. Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?
1) Place the tablet on the child's tongue and give the child a drink of water.
2) Break the tablet in small pieces and ask the child to swallow the pieces one by one.
3) Crush the tablet and mix it in a teaspoon of applesauce.
4) Crush the table and mix it in a cup of juice.

Question 9

The nurse is working with an adolescent client who will be admitted to the hospital in two days. Which nursing approach is most appropriate to prepare this client for hospitalization?
1) Have teens who have had similar experiences talk to the adolescent about hospitalization.
2) Provide an opportunity for the child to talk with an adult who has had a similar experience.
3) Teach parents what to expect so the information can be shared with the adolescent.
4) Provide an opportunity for the teen to try on surgical attire.

Question 10

The nurse is working with a school-age child who is hospitalized. Which action by the nurse will promote a sense of industry in this child?
1) Allow the child to assist with her care.
2) Encourage parents to participate in the child's care.
3) Give the child a detailed scientific explanation of the illness.
4) Speak to the child in a high-pitched voice.

Question 11

The nurse is working with a hospitalized preschool-age child. The nurse is planning activities to reduce anxiety in this child. Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?
1) Provide the child with a doll and safe medical equipment.
2) Read a story to the child.
3) Use an anatomically correct doll to teach the child about the illness.
4) Talk to the child about the hospitalization.

Question 12

The nurse is providing care to a school-age client who is admitted to the hospital after a motor vehicle accident. Which interventions are appropriate to prepare this client and family for their hospital stay? Select all that apply.
1) A hospital tour
2) A health fair brochure
3) An orientation to the unit
4) An age-appropriate explanation of procedures
5) A child life program consultation

Question 13

A child is being discharged from the hospital after a 3-week stay following a motor vehicle accident. The mother expresses concern about caring for the child's wounds at home. She has demonstrated appropriate technique with medication administration and wound care. Which nursing diagnosis is the priority in this situation?
1) Knowledge Deficit of Home Care
2) Altered Family Processes Related to Hospitalization
3) Parental Anxiety Related to Care of the Child at Home
4) Risk for Infection Related to Presence of Healing Wounds

Question 14

A group of children on one hospital unit are all suffering separation anxiety. Which child is experiencing the despair stage of separation anxiety?
1) Does not cry if parents return and leave again
2) Screams and cries when parents leave
3) Appears to be happy and content with staff
4) Lies quietly in bed

Question 16

A young school-age client is in the playroom when the respiratory therapist arrives on the pediatric unit to give the child a scheduled breathing treatment. Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?
1) Reschedule the treatment for a later time.
2) Show the respiratory therapist to the playroom so the treatment may be performed.
3) Escort the child to his room and ask the child-life specialist to bring toys to the bedside.
4) Assist the child back to his room for the treatment but reassure the child that he may return when the procedure is completed.

Question 17

The charge nurse is concerned with reducing the stressors of hospitalization. Which nursing intervention is most helpful in decreasing the stressors for the toddler-age client?
1) Assign the same nurse to the toddler as much as possible.
2) Let the child listen to an audiotape of the mother's voice.
3) Place a picture of the family at the bedside.
4) Encourage a parent to stay with the child.

Question 18

The nurse must perform a procedure on a toddler. Which technique is the most appropriate when performing the procedure?
1) Ask the mother to restrain the child during the procedure.
2) Ask the child if it is okay to start the procedure.
3) Perform the procedure in the child's hospital bed.
4) Allow the child to cry or scream.

Question 19

A preschool-age client is seen in the clinic for a sore throat. In this child's mind, what is the most likely causative agent for the sore throat?
1) Was exposed to someone else with a sore throat.
2) Did not eat the right foods.
3) Yelled at his brother.
4) Did not take his vitamins.