Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
The recommended method of screening for overweight in children and adolescents is measuring the child's:
A. Weight
This statement is incorrect, as weight alone is not a reliable indicator of overweight or obesity in children and adolescents, as it does not account for the variations in growth, age, sex, and body composition. The nurse should use weight in conjunction with other measures, such as height, BMI, and growth charts, to assess the nutritional status and health risks of the child.
B. Height
This statement is incorrect, as height alone is not a reliable indicator of overweight or obesity in children and adolescents, as it does not account for the variations in growth, age, sex, and body composition. The nurse should use height in conjunction with other measures, such as weight, BMI, and growth charts, to assess the nutritional status and health risks of the child.
C. Body surface area (BSA)
This statement is incorrect, as body surface area (BSA) is not a recommended method of screening for overweight or obesity in children and adolescents, as it is not widely used or validated in this population. BSA is a measure of the total area of the skin, which can be calculated using various formulas based on weight and height. BSA is mainly used for dosing certain medications, such as chemotherapy, and for estimating the metabolic rate.
D. Body mass index (BMI)
This statement is correct, as body mass index (BMI) is the recommended method of screening for overweight or obesity in children and adolescents, as it is a simple and standardized measure of body fatness that can be used for comparison across different populations and age groups. BMI is calculated by dividing the weight in kilograms by the height in meters squared. The nurse should use the BMI-for-age percentile charts to interpret the BMI value and classify the child as underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Samuel merrit University Paediatric Proctored Exam 1. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: This statement is incorrect, as weight alone is not a reliable indicator of overweight or obesity in children and adolescents, as it does not account for the variations in growth, age, sex, and body composition. The nurse should use weight in conjunction with other measures, such as height, BMI, and growth charts, to assess the nutritional status and health risks of the child.
Choice B reason: This statement is incorrect, as height alone is not a reliable indicator of overweight or obesity in children and adolescents, as it does not account for the variations in growth, age, sex, and body composition. The nurse should use height in conjunction with other measures, such as weight, BMI, and growth charts, to assess the nutritional status and health risks of the child.
Choice C reason: This statement is incorrect, as body surface area (BSA) is not a recommended method of screening for overweight or obesity in children and adolescents, as it is not widely used or validated in this population. BSA is a measure of the total area of the skin, which can be calculated using various formulas based on weight and height. BSA is mainly used for dosing certain medications, such as chemotherapy, and for estimating the metabolic rate.
Choice D reason: This statement is correct, as body mass index (BMI) is the recommended method of screening for overweight or obesity in children and adolescents, as it is a simple and standardized measure of body fatness that can be used for comparison across different populations and age groups. BMI is calculated by dividing the weight in kilograms by the height in meters squared. The nurse should use the BMI-for-age percentile charts to interpret the BMI value and classify the child as underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese
Similar Questions
The nurse is caring for a 6-month-old with diarrhea secondary to rotavirus. The child has not vomited, but is mildly dehydrated. Which is likely to be included in the discharge teaching?
A. Continue breastfeeding per routine.
This statement is correct, as breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition and hydration for infants with diarrhea, as it provides antibodies, electrolytes, and fluids. The nurse should encourage the mother to continue breastfeeding per routine, or to offer expressed breast milk if the infant is too weak or fussy to nurse.
B. Administer Imodium as needed.
This statement is incorrect, as Imodium is not recommended for infants with diarrhea, as it can cause serious side effects, such as ileus, toxic megacolon, or central nervous system depression. The nurse should advise the parents to avoid giving any anti-diarrheal medications to the infant, unless prescribed by the doctor.
C. Administer Kaopectate as needed.
This statement is incorrect, as Kaopectate is not recommended for infants with diarrhea, as it contains bismuth subsalicylate, which can cause Reye syndrome, a rare but serious condition that affects the liver and brain. The nurse should advise the parents to avoid giving any anti-diarrheal medications to the infant, unless prescribed by the doctor.
D. Return to daycare 24 hours after antibiotics have been started.
This statement is incorrect, as returning to daycare 24 hours after antibiotics have been started is not appropriate for infants with diarrhea secondary to rotavirus, as antibiotics are not effective against viral infections, and the infant may still be contagious and infect other children. The nurse should instruct the parents to keep the infant at home until the diarrhea has resolved, and to practice good hand hygiene and sanitation to prevent the spread of the infection.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: This statement is correct, as breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition and hydration for infants with diarrhea, as it provides antibodies, electrolytes, and fluids. The nurse should encourage the mother to continue breastfeeding per routine, or to offer expressed breast milk if the infant is too weak or fussy to nurse.
Choice B reason: This statement is incorrect, as Imodium is not recommended for infants with diarrhea, as it can cause serious side effects, such as ileus, toxic megacolon, or central nervous system depression. The nurse should advise the parents to avoid giving any anti-diarrheal medications to the infant, unless prescribed by the doctor.
Choice C reason: This statement is incorrect, as Kaopectate is not recommended for infants with diarrhea, as it contains bismuth subsalicylate, which can cause Reye syndrome, a rare but serious condition that affects the liver and brain. The nurse should advise the parents to avoid giving any anti-diarrheal medications to the infant, unless prescribed by the doctor.
Choice D reason: This statement is incorrect, as returning to daycare 24 hours after antibiotics have been started is not appropriate for infants with diarrhea secondary to rotavirus, as antibiotics are not effective against viral infections, and the infant may still be contagious and infect other children. The nurse should instruct the parents to keep the infant at home until the diarrhea has resolved, and to practice good hand hygiene and sanitation to prevent the spread of the infection.
The nurse is counseling first-time parents of a newborn on infant nutrition. The nurse educates parents that infants are physiologically and developmentally ready to begin solids such as rice cereal at what age?
A. 4-6 months
This statement is correct, as most infants are ready to start solid foods when they are 4 to 6 months old, depending on their individual growth and readiness. The nurse should explain to the parents that some signs of readiness include being able to hold the head up, sit with support, show interest in food, and move food from the spoon to the throat.
B. 2-3 months
This statement is incorrect, as 2 to 3 months is too early to introduce solid foods to infants, as their digestive system and swallowing skills are not mature enough to handle them. The nurse should advise the parents to avoid giving solid foods before 4 months of age, as it can increase the risk of choking, allergies, obesity, and iron deficiency.
C. 1 year
This statement is incorrect, as 1 year is too late to introduce solid foods to infants, as they need more nutrients and calories than breast milk or formula alone can provide. The nurse should inform the parents that delaying solid foods beyond 6 months of age can lead to growth faltering, micronutrient deficiencies, and feeding difficulties.
D. 10-11 months
This statement is incorrect, as 10 to 11 months is too late to introduce solid foods to infants, as they need more nutrients and calories than breast milk or formula alone can provide. The nurse should inform the parents that delaying solid foods beyond 6 months of age can lead to growth faltering, micronutrient deficiencies, and feeding difficulties.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: This statement is correct, as most infants are ready to start solid foods when they are 4 to 6 months old, depending on their individual growth and readiness. The nurse should explain to the parents that some signs of readiness include being able to hold the head up, sit with support, show interest in food, and move food from the spoon to the throat.
Choice B reason: This statement is incorrect, as 2 to 3 months is too early to introduce solid foods to infants, as their digestive system and swallowing skills are not mature enough to handle them. The nurse should advise the parents to avoid giving solid foods before 4 months of age, as it can increase the risk of choking, allergies, obesity, and iron deficiency.
Choice C reason: This statement is incorrect, as 1 year is too late to introduce solid foods to infants, as they need more nutrients and calories than breast milk or formula alone can provide. The nurse should inform the parents that delaying solid foods beyond 6 months of age can lead to growth faltering, micronutrient deficiencies, and feeding difficulties.
Choice D reason: This statement is incorrect, as 10 to 11 months is too late to introduce solid foods to infants, as they need more nutrients and calories than breast milk or formula alone can provide. The nurse should inform the parents that delaying solid foods beyond 6 months of age can lead to growth faltering, micronutrient deficiencies, and feeding difficulties.
An infant is brought to the emergency department with poor skin turgor, weight loss, irritability, and tachycardia. The nurse analyzes the data to suggest:
A. Sodium excess
This statement is incorrect, as sodium excess is not likely to cause the symptoms of poor skin turgor, weight loss, irritability, and tachycardia in an infant. Sodium excess, or hypernatremia, is a condition where the blood sodium level is too high, which can result from excessive intake or loss of water. The symptoms of sodium excess may include thirst, dry mouth, confusion, seizures, or coma.
B. Overhydration
This statement is incorrect, as overhydration is not likely to cause the symptoms of poor skin turgor, weight loss, irritability, and tachycardia in an infant. Overhydration, or hypervolemia, is a condition where the body has too much fluid, which can result from excessive intake or retention of water. The symptoms of overhydration may include edema, weight gain, shortness of breath, or crackles in the lungs.
C. Dehydration
This statement is correct, as dehydration is the most likely cause of the symptoms of poor skin turgor, weight loss, irritability, and tachycardia in an infant. Dehydration is a condition where the body loses more fluid than it takes in, which can result from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or inadequate intake of water. The symptoms of dehydration may include dry skin, sunken eyes, decreased urine output, or lethargy.
D. Calcium excess
This statement is incorrect, as calcium excess is not likely to cause the symptoms of poor skin turgor, weight loss, irritability, and tachycardia in an infant. Calcium excess, or hypercalcemia, is a condition where the blood calcium level is too high, which can result from hyperparathyroidism, malignancy, or excessive intake of vitamin D or calcium. The symptoms of calcium excess may include nausea, constipation, muscle weakness, or kidney stones.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: This statement is incorrect, as sodium excess is not likely to cause the symptoms of poor skin turgor, weight loss, irritability, and tachycardia in an infant. Sodium excess, or hypernatremia, is a condition where the blood sodium level is too high, which can result from excessive intake or loss of water. The symptoms of sodium excess may include thirst, dry mouth, confusion, seizures, or coma.
Choice B reason: This statement is incorrect, as overhydration is not likely to cause the symptoms of poor skin turgor, weight loss, irritability, and tachycardia in an infant. Overhydration, or hypervolemia, is a condition where the body has too much fluid, which can result from excessive intake or retention of water. The symptoms of overhydration may include edema, weight gain, shortness of breath, or crackles in the lungs.
Choice C reason: This statement is correct, as dehydration is the most likely cause of the symptoms of poor skin turgor, weight loss, irritability, and tachycardia in an infant. Dehydration is a condition where the body loses more fluid than it takes in, which can result from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or inadequate intake of water. The symptoms of dehydration may include dry skin, sunken eyes, decreased urine output, or lethargy.
Choice D reason: This statement is incorrect, as calcium excess is not likely to cause the symptoms of poor skin turgor, weight loss, irritability, and tachycardia in an infant. Calcium excess, or hypercalcemia, is a condition where the blood calcium level is too high, which can result from hyperparathyroidism, malignancy, or excessive intake of vitamin D or calcium. The symptoms of calcium excess may include nausea, constipation, muscle weakness, or kidney stones.