Question 1

An infant is brought to the emergency department with poor skin turgor,weight loss,lethargy,and tachycardia.What are these signs suggestive of?
A) Overhydration
B) Dehydration
C) Sodium excess
D) Potassium excess

Accepted Answer

These clinical manifestations indicate dehydration.Symptoms of overhydration are edema and weight gain.Regardless of extracellular sodium levels,total body sodium is usually depleted in dehydration.Symptoms of hypocalcemia are a result of neuromuscular irritability and manifest as jitteriness,tetany,tremors,and muscle twitching.These symptoms do not indicate hyperkalemia.

Question 2

The nurse is explaining to a parent how to care for a child with vomiting associated with a viral illness.What advice should the nurse include in her discussion?
A) Avoid carbohydrate-containing liquids.
B) Give nothing by mouth for 24 hours.
C) Brush teeth or rinse mouth after vomiting.
D) Give plain water until vomiting ceases for at least 24 hours.

Accepted Answer

It is important to emphasize the child needs to brush his teeth or rinse his mouth after vomiting to dilute the hydrochloric acid that comes in contact with the teeth.Administration of a glucose-electrolyte solution to an alert child will help restore water and electrolytes satisfactorily.It is important to include carbohydrates to spare body protein and avoid ketosis.

Question 3

A histamine-receptor antagonist such as cimetidine ( Tagamet )or ranitidine ( Zantac )is ordered for an infant with gastroesophageal reflux disease.What is the purpose of this drug?
A) It prevents reflux.
B) It prevents hematemesis.
C) It reduces gastric acid production.
D) It increases gastric acid production.

Accepted Answer

The mechanism of action of histamine-receptor antagonists is to reduce the amount of acid present in gastric contents and may prevent esophagitis.Preventing reflux and hematemesis and increasing gastric acid production are not the modes of action for histamine-receptor antagonists.

Question 4

A stool specimen from a child with diarrhea shows the presence of neutrophils and red blood cells.These results are most suggestive of what condition?
A) Protein intolerance
B) Parasitic infection
C) Fat malabsorption
D) Bacterial gastroenteritis

Accepted Answer

Neutrophils and red blood cells in stool indicate bacterial gastroenteritis.Protein intolerance is suspected in the presence of eosinophils,as is parasitic infection.Fat malabsorption is indicated by foul-smelling,greasy,bulky stools.

Question 5

A 4-month-old infant has gastroesophageal reflux (GER)but is thriving without other complications.What should the nurse suggest to minimize reflux?
A) Place in Trendelenburg position after eating.
B) Thicken formula with rice cereal.
C) Give continuous nasogastric tube feedings.
D) Give larger, less frequent feedings.

Accepted Answer

Small,frequent feedings of formula combined with 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of rice cereal per ounce of formula has been recommended.Milk thickening agents have been shown to decrease the number of episodes of vomiting and increase the caloric density of the formula.This may benefit infants who are underweight as a result of GER.Placing the child in a Trendelenburg position increases the reflux.Continuous nasogastric feedings are reserved for infants with severe reflux and failure to thrive.

Question 6

A school-age child with diarrhea has been rehydrated.The nurse is discussing the child's diet with the family.Which statement by the parent would indicate a correct understanding of the teaching?
A) "I will keep my child on a clear liquid diet for the next 24 hours."
B) "I should encourage my child to drink carbonated drinks but avoid food for the next 24 hours."
C) "I will offer my child bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast for the next 48 hours."
D) "I should have my child eat a normal diet with easily digested foods for the next 48 hours."

Accepted Answer

Easily digested foods such as cereals,cooked vegetables,and meats should be provided to the child.Early reintroduction of nutrients is desirable.Continued feeding or reintroduction of a regular diet has no adverse effects,and actually lessens the severity and duration of the illness.Clear liquids and carbonated drinks have high carbohydrate contents and few electrolytes.Caffeinated beverages should be avoided because caffeine is a mild diuretic.A diet of bananas,applesauce,and toast is contraindicated because it has little nutritional value (low in energy and protein),is high in carbohydrates,and is low in electrolytes.

Question 7

What is often the cause of acute diarrhea?
A) Celiac disease
B) Antibiotic therapy
C) Immunodeficiency
D) Protein malnutrition

Accepted Answer

Acute diarrhea is a sudden increase in frequency and change in consistency of stools,and may be associated with antibiotic therapy.Hirschsprung's disease,hypothyroidism,and meconium ileus are usually manifested with constipation rather than diarrhea.

Question 8

Which clinical manifestation indicates acute appendicitis?
A) Rebound tenderness
B) Bright red or dark red rectal bleeding
C) Abdominal pain that is relieved by eating
D) Abdominal pain that is most intense at the McBurney point

Accepted Answer

Pain is the cardinal feature.It is initially generalized and usually periumbilical.The pain localizes to the right lower quadrant at the McBurney point.Rebound tenderness is not a reliable sign and is extremely painful to the child.Abdominal pain that is relieved by eating and bright or dark red rectal bleeding are not signs of acute appendicitis.

Question 9

What is the first treatment a nurse provides in the therapeutic management of a child with acute diarrhea and dehydration?
A) Clear liquids
B) Adsorbents such as kaolin and pectin
C) Oral rehydration solution (ORS)
D) Antidiarrheal medications such as paregoric

Accepted Answer

ORS is the first treatment for acute diarrhea.Clear liquids are not recommended because they contain too much sugar,which may contribute to the diarrhea.Adsorbents are not recommended and neither are antidiarrheal medications because they do not get rid of pathogens.

Question 10

Which high-fibre food can the nurse recommend for a 10-year-old child with chronic constipation?
A) Popcorn
B) Pancakes
C) Muffins
D) Ripe bananas

Accepted Answer

Popcorn is a high-fibre food.Pancakes and muffins do not have significant fibre unless made with fruit or bran.Raw fruits,especially those with skins and seeds (other than ripe bananas and avocado),are high in fibre.

Question 11

Which statement best describes Meckel's diverticulum?
A) It is more common in females than in males.
B) It is acquired during childhood.
C) Intestinal bleeding may be mild or profuse.
D) Medical interventions are usually sufficient to treat the problem.

Accepted Answer

Blood in stools is often a presenting sign of Meckel's diverticulum,because it is associated with mild-to-profuse intestinal bleeding.It is twice as common in males as in females,and complications are more frequent in males.Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital malformation of the gastrointestinal tract,and is present in 1% to 4% of the general population.The standard therapy is surgical removal of the diverticulum.

Question 12

A 3-year-old child with Hirschsprung's disease is hospitalized for surgery.A temporary colostomy will be necessary.What should the nurse recognize about preparing this child psychologically for surgery?
A) It is not necessary because of child's age.
B) It is not necessary because the colostomy is temporary.
C) It is necessary because it will require the child's adjustment.
D) It is necessary because the child must deal with a negative body image.

Accepted Answer

The child's age dictates the type and extent of psychological preparation.Before a colostomy is performed,a child who is at least preschool age must be told about the procedure and what to expect in concrete terms with the use of visual aids.It is necessary to prepare a child this age for procedures.The preschooler is not yet concerned with body image.

Question 13

What type of dehydration results from water loss in excess of electrolyte loss?
A) Isotonic dehydration
B) Isosmotic dehydration
C) Hypotonic dehydration
D) Hypertonic dehydration

Accepted Answer

Hypertonic dehydration results from water loss in excess of electrolyte loss.This is the most dangerous type of dehydration,caused by feeding children fluids with high amounts of solute.Isotonic dehydration occurs when electrolyte and water deficits are balanced in proportion.Isosmotic dehydration is another term for isotonic dehydration.Hypotonic dehydration occurs when the electrolyte deficit exceeds the water deficit,leaving the serum hypotonic.

Question 14

What is the primary therapeutic management for most children with Hirschsprung's disease?
A) Daily enemas
B) Low-fibre diet
C) Permanent colostomy
D) Surgical removal of affected section of bowel

Accepted Answer

Most children with Hirschsprung's disease require surgical rather than medical management.Surgery is done to remove the aganglionic portion of the bowel,relieve obstruction,and restore normal bowel motility and function of the internal anal sphincter.Preoperative management may include enemas and a low-fibre,high-calorie,high-protein diet until the child is physically ready for surgery.The colostomy that is created in Hirschsprung's disease is usually temporary.

Question 15

A young child is brought to the emergency department with severe dehydration secondary to acute diarrhea and vomiting.What is the first step in therapeutic management for this child?
A) Intravenous fluids
B) Oral rehydration solution (ORS)
C) Clear liquids, 1 to 2 ounces at a time
D) Administration of antidiarrheal medication

Accepted Answer

Intravenous fluids are initiated in children with severe dehydration.ORS is an acceptable therapy if the dehydration is not severe.Diarrhea is not managed by using clear liquids by mouth because they have a high carbohydrate content,low electrolyte content,and high osmolality.Antidiarrheal medications are not recommended for the treatment of acute,infectious diarrhea.

Question 16

Constipation has recently become a problem for a school-age girl.She is healthy except for seasonal allergies,which are now being successfully treated with antihistamines.What is the most likely cause of her constipation?
A) Diet
B) Allergies
C) Antihistamines
D) Emotional factors

Accepted Answer

Constipation may be associated with drugs such as antihistamines,antacids,diuretics,opioids,anti-epileptics,and iron.Because this is the only known recent change in her habits,the addition of antihistamines is most likely the etiology of the diarrhea.With a change in bowel habits,the presence and role of any recently prescribed medications should be assessed.

Question 17

Nurses must be alert for increased fluid requirements when a child has which one of the following?
A) Fever
B) Mechanical ventilation
C) Congestive heart failure
D) Increased intracranial pressure (ICP)

Accepted Answer

Fever leads to great insensible fluid loss in young children because of their increased body surface area relative to fluid volume.The respiratory rate influences insensible fluid loss and should be monitored in a mechanically ventilated child.Congestive heart failure is a case of fluid overload in children.ICP does not lead to increased fluid requirements in children.

Question 18

Which of the following is a parasite that causes acute diarrhea?
A) Shigella organisms
B) Salmonella organisms
C) Giardia lamblia
D) Escherichia coli

Accepted Answer

In Canada,the incidence of intestinal parasitic disease,especially giardiasis,has increased among young children and causes acute diarrhea.Shigella,Salmonella,and E.coli are bacterial pathogens,not parasites.

Question 19

What is the viral pathogen that frequently causes acute diarrhea in young children?
A) Giardia organisms
B) Shigella organisms
C) Rotavirus
D) Salmonella organisms

Accepted Answer

Rotavirus is the most common viral pathogen that causes diarrhea in young children.Giardia and Salmonella are bacterial pathogens that also cause diarrhea.Shigella is a bacterial pathogen that is uncommon in Canada.

Question 20

When caring for a child with probable appendicitis,the nurse should watch for which one of the following as a sign of perforation?
A) Bradycardia
B) Anorexia
C) Sudden relief from pain
D) Decreased abdominal distension

Accepted Answer

Signs of peritonitis,in addition to fever,include sudden relief from pain after perforation.Tachycardia,not bradycardia,is a manifestation of peritonitis.Anorexia is already a clinical manifestation of appendicitis.Abdominal distension usually increases in addition to an increase in pain (usually diffuse and accompanied by rigid guarding of the abdomen).

Quiz 47: Gastrointestinal Dysfunction

An infant is brought to the emergency department with poor skin turgor,weight loss,lethargy,and tachycardia.What are these signs suggestive of?

The nurse is explaining to a parent how to care for a child with vomiting associated with a viral illness.What advice should the nurse include in her discussion?

A histamine-receptor antagonist such as cimetidine ( Tagamet ) or ranitidine ( Zantac ) is ordered for an infant with gastroesophageal reflux disease.What is the purpose of this drug?

A stool specimen from a child with diarrhea shows the presence of neutrophils and red blood cells.These results are most suggestive of what condition?

A 4-month-old infant has gastroesophageal reflux (GER) but is thriving without other complications.What should the nurse suggest to minimize reflux?

A school-age child with diarrhea has been rehydrated.The nurse is discussing the child's diet with the family.Which statement by the parent would indicate a correct understanding of the teaching?

What is often the cause of acute diarrhea?

Which clinical manifestation indicates acute appendicitis?

What is the first treatment a nurse provides in the therapeutic management of a child with acute diarrhea and dehydration?

Which high-fibre food can the nurse recommend for a 10-year-old child with chronic constipation?

Which statement best describes Meckel's diverticulum?

A 3-year-old child with Hirschsprung's disease is hospitalized for surgery.A temporary colostomy will be necessary.What should the nurse recognize about preparing this child psychologically for surgery?

What type of dehydration results from water loss in excess of electrolyte loss?

What is the primary therapeutic management for most children with Hirschsprung's disease?

A young child is brought to the emergency department with severe dehydration secondary to acute diarrhea and vomiting.What is the first step in therapeutic management for this child?

Constipation has recently become a problem for a school-age girl.She is healthy except for seasonal allergies,which are now being successfully treated with antihistamines.What is the most likely cause of her constipation?

Nurses must be alert for increased fluid requirements when a child has which one of the following?

Which of the following is a parasite that causes acute diarrhea?

What is the viral pathogen that frequently causes acute diarrhea in young children?

When caring for a child with probable appendicitis,the nurse should watch for which one of the following as a sign of perforation?