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NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is reinforcing teaching about home care with the parents of a child who has a seizure disorder.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Call EMS if a seizure lasts 5 min or more.
When providing home care instructions for a child with a seizure disorder, it is important to educate the parents about appropriate actions during a seizure. Calling emergency medical services (EMS) if a seizure lasts 5 minutes or more is crucial because it may indicate a condition called status epilepticus, which is a prolonged seizure or a series of seizures without full recovery of consciousness between them. Status epilepticus is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical intervention.
B. Restrain the child at the onset of the seizure.
Is not recommended. Restraint can potentially cause harm to the child and increase the risk of injury. It is advised to create a safe environment by removing any nearby objects that could cause injury and placing a pillow or cushion under the child's head to prevent head injury.
C. Offer the child a bubble bath every evening.
Is not specifically related to seizure management. Bathing routines can be continued as long as they are safe and supervised. However, it is important to ensure the child's safety during bathing, such as providing adequate supervision to prevent drowning or injury.
D. Place the child in a prone position during the seizure.
Is not recommended. Placing the child in a prone position (face down) during a seizure can obstruct the airway and increase the risk of respiratory complications. The child should be placed on their side, in a recovery position, to facilitate drainage of saliva or other fluids and prevent choking.
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Full Explanation
The correct answer is a. Call EMS if a seizure lasts 5 minutes or more.
Explanation:
When providing home care instructions for a child with a seizure disorder, it is important to educate the parents about appropriate actions during a seizure. Calling emergency medical services (EMS) if a seizure lasts 5 minutes or more is crucial because it may indicate a condition called status epilepticus, which is a prolonged seizure or a series of seizures without full recovery of consciousness between them. Status epilepticus is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical intervention.
Option b, restraining the child at the onset of a seizure, is not recommended. Restraint can potentially cause harm to the child and increase the risk of injury. It is advised to create a safe environment by removing any nearby objects that could cause injury and placing a pillow or cushion under the child's head to prevent head injury.
Option c, offering the child a bubble bath every evening, is not specifically related to seizure management. Bathing routines can be continued as long as they are safe and supervised. However, it is important to ensure the child's safety during bathing, such as providing adequate supervision to prevent drowning or injury.
Option d, placing the child in a prone position during a seizure, is not recommended. Placing the child in a prone position (face down) during a seizure can obstruct the airway and increase the risk of respiratory complications. The child should be placed on their side, in a recovery position, to facilitate drainage of saliva or other fluids and prevent choking.
Overall, the most important instruction for the parents is to recognize the signs of prolonged seizure activity and to seek immediate medical assistance by calling EMS if a seizure lasts 5 minutes or more.
Similar Questions
A nurse is reinforcing teaching about home care with the parents of a child who has a seizure disorder.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Call EMS if a seizure lasts 5 min or more.
When providing home care instructions for a child with a seizure disorder, it is important to educate the parents about appropriate actions during a seizure. Calling emergency medical services (EMS) if a seizure lasts 5 minutes or more is crucial because it may indicate a condition called status epilepticus, which is a prolonged seizure or a series of seizures without full recovery of consciousness between them. Status epilepticus is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical intervention.
B. Restrain the child at the onset of the seizure.
Is not recommended. Restraint can potentially cause harm to the child and increase the risk of injury. It is advised to create a safe environment by removing any nearby objects that could cause injury and placing a pillow or cushion under the child's head to prevent head injury.
C. Offer the child a bubble bath every evening.
Is not specifically related to seizure management. Bathing routines can be continued as long as they are safe and supervised. However, it is important to ensure the child's safety during bathing, such as providing adequate supervision to prevent drowning or injury.
D. Place the child in a prone position during the seizure.
Is not recommended. Placing the child in a prone position (face down) during a seizure can obstruct the airway and increase the risk of respiratory complications. The child should be placed on their side, in a recovery position, to facilitate drainage of saliva or other fluids and prevent choking.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is a. Call EMS if a seizure lasts 5 minutes or more.
Explanation:
When providing home care instructions for a child with a seizure disorder, it is important to educate the parents about appropriate actions during a seizure. Calling emergency medical services (EMS) if a seizure lasts 5 minutes or more is crucial because it may indicate a condition called status epilepticus, which is a prolonged seizure or a series of seizures without full recovery of consciousness between them. Status epilepticus is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical intervention.
Option b, restraining the child at the onset of a seizure, is not recommended. Restraint can potentially cause harm to the child and increase the risk of injury. It is advised to create a safe environment by removing any nearby objects that could cause injury and placing a pillow or cushion under the child's head to prevent head injury.
Option c, offering the child a bubble bath every evening, is not specifically related to seizure management. Bathing routines can be continued as long as they are safe and supervised. However, it is important to ensure the child's safety during bathing, such as providing adequate supervision to prevent drowning or injury.
Option d, placing the child in a prone position during a seizure, is not recommended. Placing the child in a prone position (face down) during a seizure can obstruct the airway and increase the risk of respiratory complications. The child should be placed on their side, in a recovery position, to facilitate drainage of saliva or other fluids and prevent choking.
Overall, the most important instruction for the parents is to recognize the signs of prolonged seizure activity and to seek immediate medical assistance by calling EMS if a seizure lasts 5 minutes or more.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching about car seat safety with a parent of a newborn. Which of the following statements by the parent indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I should keep my baby rear-facing in the car seat until she is 2 years old."
Keeping a baby rear-facing in the car seat until they reach the age of 2 years old or until they reach the maximum height and weight limits recommended by the car seat manufacturer is a crucial safety guideline. Rear-facing car seats provide better support for a baby's head, neck, and spine in the event of a crash, reducing the risk of severe injuries.
B. "I should place my baby in the car seat at a 90-degree angle."
"I should place my baby in the car seat at a 90-degree angle." The correct positioning for a rear-facing car seat is typically between a 30 to 45-degree angle. This angle helps ensure the baby's airway remains open and prevents their head from flopping forward.
C. "I should position the car seat's retainer clip at the level of my baby's belly button."
"I should position the car seat's retainer clip at the level of my baby's belly button." The retainer clip of the car seat should be positioned at armpit level, not at the level of the baby's belly button. The retainer clip is designed to secure the harness straps and should be placed across the chest, resting on the bony part of the shoulders.
D. "I should enable the airbag when my baby is in the front seat of the car."
"I should enable the airbag when my baby is in the front seat of the car." It is not safe to have a rear-facing car seat with a baby in the front seat of a vehicle with an active airbag. Airbags can pose a significant risk to infants due to the force with which they deploy. It is recommended to place a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of the vehicle and disable the airbag in the front passenger seat if the baby needs to ride in the front. It is important for parents to receive proper education on car seat safety and follow the guidelines set forth by car seat manufacturers, national recommendations, and local laws and regulations.
Full Explanation
Keeping a baby rear-facing in the car seat until they reach the age of 2 years old or until they reach the maximum height and weight limits recommended by the car seat manufacturer is a crucial safety guideline. Rear-facing car seats provide better support for a baby's head, neck, and spine in the event of a crash, reducing the risk of severe injuries.
"I should place my baby in the car seat at a 90-degree angle." The correct positioning for a rear-facing car seat is typically between a 30 to 45-degree angle. This angle helps ensure the baby's airway remains open and prevents their head from flopping forward.
"I should position the car seat's retainer clip at the level of my baby's belly button." The retainer clip of the car seat should be positioned at armpit level, not at the level of the baby's belly button. The retainer clip is designed to secure the harness straps and should be placed across the chest, resting on the bony part of the shoulders.
"I should enable the airbag when my baby is in the front seat of the car." It is not safe to have a rear-facing car seat with a baby in the front seat of a vehicle with an active airbag. Airbags can pose a significant risk to infants due to the force with which they deploy. It is recommended to place a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of the vehicle and disable the airbag in the front passenger seat if the baby needs to ride in the front.
It is important for parents to receive proper education on car seat safety and follow the guidelines set forth by car seat manufacturers, national recommendations, and local laws and regulations.
A community health nurse is assisting with the development of a pamphlet regarding choking hazards for toddlers. Which of the following foods should the nurse include?
A. Potatoes
B. Corn
C. Oranges
D. Grapes
Grapes are a common choking hazard for young children, especially toddlers, due to their small size, round shape, and slippery texture. The size and shape of grapes can block the airway and pose a significant risk if not properly cut or prepared before being given to a toddler. It is recommended to cut grapes into small pieces or slice them lengthwise to reduce the risk of choking.
Full Explanation
Grapes are a common choking hazard for young children, especially toddlers, due to their small size, round shape, and slippery texture. The size and shape of grapes can block the airway and pose a significant risk if not properly cut or prepared before being given to a toddler. It is recommended to cut grapes into small pieces or slice them lengthwise to reduce the risk of choking.
While potatoes, corn, and oranges can also pose a choking risk if not properly prepared or cut into age-appropriate sizes, they are not as commonly associated with choking incidents in toddlers as grapes are. Nonetheless, it is essential for parents and caregivers to be aware of appropriate food preparation techniques and supervise children during meals to ensure their safety.