NCLEX : Pediatric Conditions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for NCLEX

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Causes And Treatments Of Pediatric Conditions

Jennifer is a 14-year-old patient who has been diagnosed with diphtheria and subsequently, myocarditis. The nurse implements all of the following except __________.

Possible Answers:

administering antibiotics

administering antitoxin

practicing airborne precautions

practicing standard precautions

enforcing bed rest

Correct answer:

practicing airborne precautions

Explanation:

Diphtheria is an illness caused by bacteria (Corynebacterium diphtheriae). It is spread through droplets, requiring droplet precautions. Standard precautions should also be used, as with any patient. Delivery of antitoxin and antibiotics are important to a patient's recovery. Enforcing bedrest is important after a patient has developed myocarditis (inflammation of the heart).

Example Question #2 : Causes And Treatments Of Pediatric Conditions

A community health nurse is giving a presentation on pertussis (whooping cough). He tells his audience that which population is most at risk? 

Possible Answers:

Older adults above 85

Older adults from 65-75

Children from 4-12

Older adults from 75-85

Children under 4 years of age

Correct answer:

Children under 4 years of age

Explanation:

Children under 4 years of age hold the greatest risk of contracting Pertussis and developing serious complications, including death. Pertussis vaccines are recommended for all age groups. Children can start a vaccination series as early as 2 months of age. New parents are encouraged to become vaccinated before their baby arrives to prevent transmission before the infant is eligible for immunization.

Example Question #3 : Causes And Treatments Of Pediatric Conditions

A room designed to accommodate a child with the measles should include which of the following? 

Possible Answers:

High microscopy pressure device

No air pressure device is necessary

Low microscopy pressure device

Positive air pressure

Negative air pressure

Correct answer:

Negative air pressure

Explanation:

Measles is an airborne illness. For that reason, air pressure devices are necessary to prevent the spread of infection. Negative air pressure devices will adequately contain the measles virus because air will flow in to the room as opposed to out. Conversely, positive air pressure devices may be used to create an air flow out of a room in severely immunocompromised patients. 

Example Question #104 : Conditions And Treatments

The school nurse is approached by a 9-year-old boy who is complaining of severe scalp pruritus. Upon closer examination, the nurse concludes that he has a case of head lice (Pediculosis capitis). She knows all of the following to be true except __________.

Possible Answers:

treating the clothing of the child may be necessary

sealing his backpack in a plastic bag for 10 days should kill the lice

his 5-year-old sister should be examined

his personal grooming items should be soaked in hot water or shampoo

head lice may be a sign of poor hygiene

Correct answer:

head lice may be a sign of poor hygiene

Explanation:

Children and adults with exceptional personal hygiene are equally affected by head lice. The same applies to people of all socioeconomic groups, genders, and nationalities. All of the other options are true nursing interventions for head lice.

Example Question #1 : Symptoms And Tests For Pediatric Conditions

A school nurse is holding a question and answer meeting for parents following a recent outbreak of scarlet fever. Which of the following would the nurse confirm as false? 

Possible Answers:

Children over two years of age are higher risk than children under two years of age

A rash develops secondary to toxin sensitivity

Scarlet fever is a viral infection

A child may or may not develop a rash after exposure

Scarlet fever is transmitted through the air

Correct answer:

Scarlet fever is a viral infection

Explanation:

Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus that is transmitted through the air. Children who are sensitive to the bacterial toxin may develop a rash, although some will not. Infants and toddlers under the age of two are rarely seen with the disease. 

Example Question #112 : Conditions And Treatments

A 3-day-old infant is diagnosed with hyperbilirubinemia. A bilirubin test is required by capillary heel puncture. The nurse does all of the following except __________.

Possible Answers:

using an antiseptic wipe to cleanse the foot

squeezing the infants heel while collecting the sample

applying heel warmers to increase capillary blood flow

wiping away the first drop of blood

turning off the bilirubin treatment lights before collecting the sample

Correct answer:

squeezing the infants heel while collecting the sample

Explanation:

Avoid squeezing the infant's heel if possible. Squeezing causes hemolysis of the specimen. Too much pressure may also result in damage to the tissue. Turning off the bilirubin treatment lights is also important because exposure to the light may alter the bilirubin in the sample. Cleansing the site of puncture is important, and warming the area will increase the capillary blood flow.

Example Question #31 : Pediatric Conditions

A mother brings her child in for paroxysmal bouts of 10-15 coughs followed by 1-2 deep gasping breaths. It started as a simple cold and cough, which seemed to be getting better before the gasping paroxysmal coughing started. The coughing is severe enough that he has vomited several times. What is the most likely diagnosis?  

Possible Answers:

Croup

Pneumonia

Pertussis

Bronchitis

Correct answer:

Pertussis

Explanation:

The most likely diagnosis in this case is pertussis, also known as whooping cough. This is caused by Bordetella pertussis, a gram-negative encapsulated coccobacillus. It begins as a seemingly normal upper respiratory infection, which progresses two weeks after onset into paroxysms of 5-15 violent coughs followed by a forceful inspiratory gasp, often described as a "whoop." Coughing is often forceful enough to induce vomiting, nosebleeds, or subconjunctival hemorrhage. Croup, pneumonia, and bronchitis are all conditions that include cough, though none of them will generally present with this degree of gasping, vomiting, or blood vessel damage due to cough.

Example Question #2 : Symptoms And Tests For Pediatric Conditions

Strawberry tongue and maculopapular ("sandpaper") rash are commonly seen in what childhood exanthem?

Possible Answers:

Scarlet fever

Varicella

Impetigo

Roseola

Correct answer:

Scarlet fever

Explanation:

Strawberry tongue (glossitis) and maculopapular ("sandpaper") rash are commonly seen in scarlet fever, a condition caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria, often after a bout of strep throat. The other exanthems listed can all cause erythematous rash, though none are associated with glossitis.

Example Question #31 : Pediatric Conditions

Parotid gland enlargement, fever, myalgia, and tender salivary glands would indicate which of the following conditions?

Possible Answers:

Rubella

Measles

Mumps

Herpangina

Correct answer:

Mumps

Explanation:

Parotid gland enlargement, fever, myalgia, and tender salivary glands are all indicative of infection with the mumps virus. Symptoms typically last for 7-10 days, though sequelae such as hearing damage and testicular disorders can be long-lasting or even permanent. 

Example Question #2 : Symptoms And Tests For Pediatric Conditions

A nurse working in labor and delivery is responsible to assessing a newborn according to the APGAR scale. The newborn infant is noted to have a vigorous good cry, a heart rate of 97, with good reflexes, and acrocyanosis.

What is the newborn's APGAR scale according to these findings?

Possible Answers:

8

6

7

3

9

Correct answer:

8

Explanation:

The APGAR score is 8, the child has received a score of 2 under respiration for good cry, a score of 2 under cry reflex for vigorous crying, a score of 2 under reflexes for good reflexes, a score of 1 for heart rate of 97 (under 100 bpm), and and score of 1 for color for acrocyanosis (blue limbs, pink body).

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