Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
What are the earliest recognizable clinical manifestations of cystic fibrosis (CF)?
A. Meconium ileus.
Meconium ileus. This is the earliest recognizable clinical manifestation of cystic fibrosis (CF). Meconium ileus refers to the blockage of the small intestine by thick, sticky meconium, the earliest stool of a newborn. It occurs in the first 24-48 hours of life and can be a sign of underlying cystic fibrosis.
B. Foul-smelling, frothy, greasy stools.
Foul-smelling, frothy, greasy stools. Foul-smelling, frothy, greasy stools are characteristic of malabsorption, which can occur in cystic fibrosis. However, this manifestation typically appears after meconium ileus and is not the earliest recognizable clinical sign.
C. History of poor intestinal absorption.
History of poor intestinal absorption. While poor intestinal absorption is a common consequence of cystic fibrosis, it is not one of the earliest recognizable clinical manifestations. Meconium ileus takes precedence as the primary early sign.
D. Recurrent pneumonia and lung infections.
Recurrent pneumonia and lung infections. Recurrent pneumonia and lung infections are common in later stages of cystic fibrosis due to the buildup of thick mucus in the respiratory tract. However, they are not among the earliest recognizable clinical manifestations of the disease. Meconium ileus is the earliest indicator in this context.
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Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice A. Meconium ileus.
Choice A rationale:
Meconium ileus. This is the earliest recognizable clinical manifestation of cystic fibrosis (CF). Meconium ileus refers to the blockage of the small intestine by thick, sticky meconium, the earliest stool of a newborn. It occurs in the first 24-48 hours of life and can be a sign of underlying cystic fibrosis.
Choice B rationale:
Foul-smelling, frothy, greasy stools. Foul-smelling, frothy, greasy stools are characteristic of malabsorption, which can occur in cystic fibrosis. However, this manifestation typically appears after meconium ileus and is not the earliest recognizable clinical sign.
Choice C rationale:
History of poor intestinal absorption. While poor intestinal absorption is a common consequence of cystic fibrosis, it is not one of the earliest recognizable clinical manifestations. Meconium ileus takes precedence as the primary early sign.
Choice D rationale:
Recurrent pneumonia and lung infections. Recurrent pneumonia and lung infections are common in later stages of cystic fibrosis due to the buildup of thick mucus in the respiratory tract. However, they are not among the earliest recognizable clinical manifestations of the disease. Meconium ileus is the earliest indicator in this context.
Similar Questions
It is now recommended that children with asthma who are taking long-term inhaled steroids should be assessed frequently to monitor for what increased risk?
A. Slowed growth.
Slowed growth is a potential risk associated with long-term use of inhaled steroids in children with asthma. Inhaled steroids are a cornerstone of asthma management due to their anti-inflammatory effects on the airways, but they can have systemic effects when absorbed in larger amounts. Prolonged use of these steroids can potentially lead to growth suppression in children by affecting the normal growth and development of bones and other tissues.
B. Osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is not the primary concern in children taking inhaled steroids. While long-term use of high-dose systemic steroids can lead to bone loss and osteoporosis in adults, the risk of osteoporosis is much lower in children receiving inhaled steroids for asthma management. Inhaled steroids have a lower systemic absorption, reducing the risk of significant bone density reduction in children.
C. Cushing's syndrome.
Cushing's syndrome is a condition caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol, often due to excessive use of systemic steroids. Inhaled steroids, especially at recommended doses, have a lower likelihood of causing Cushing's syndrome compared to systemic steroids. The systemic absorption of inhaled steroids is limited, minimizing the risk of this syndrome.
D. Cough.
Cough is not the primary increased risk associated with long-term use of inhaled steroids in children with asthma. Inhaled steroids are actually used to help control and prevent asthma symptoms, including cough. They work by reducing inflammation in the airways, which helps alleviate symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice A. Slowed growth.
Choice A rationale:
Slowed growth is a potential risk associated with long-term use of inhaled steroids in children with asthma. Inhaled steroids are a cornerstone of asthma management due to their anti-inflammatory effects on the airways, but they can have systemic effects when absorbed in larger amounts. Prolonged use of these steroids can potentially lead to growth suppression in children by affecting the normal growth and development of bones and other tissues.
Choice B rationale:
Osteoporosis is not the primary concern in children taking inhaled steroids. While long-term use of high-dose systemic steroids can lead to bone loss and osteoporosis in adults, the risk of osteoporosis is much lower in children receiving inhaled steroids for asthma management. Inhaled steroids have a lower systemic absorption, reducing the risk of significant bone density reduction in children.
Choice C rationale:
Cushing's syndrome is a condition caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol, often due to excessive use of systemic steroids. Inhaled steroids, especially at recommended doses, have a lower likelihood of causing Cushing's syndrome compared to systemic steroids. The systemic absorption of inhaled steroids is limited, minimizing the risk of this syndrome.
Choice D rationale:
Cough is not the primary increased risk associated with long-term use of inhaled steroids in children with asthma. Inhaled steroids are actually used to help control and prevent asthma symptoms, including cough. They work by reducing inflammation in the airways, which helps alleviate symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
An 8-year-old girl tells the nurse that she has cancer because God is punishing her for "being bad." She shares her concern that, if she dies, she will go to hell. How should the nurse interpret this belief?
A. The statement suggests a failed attempt to develop a conscience.
The statement does not suggest a failed attempt to develop a conscience. The scenario described is more related to the cognitive development of an 8-year-old child. Children at this age often have magical thinking and may interpret events, such as illness, as punishments for perceived wrongdoing. This is a normal aspect of their cognitive development rather than a reflection of a failed attempt to develop a conscience.
B. It is a belief that forms the basis for most religions.
While beliefs about punishment and consequences are present in many religions, the scenario is not about a general religious belief but rather a specific belief held by the individual child. This belief is reflective of the child's cognitive understanding and not necessarily a religious teaching common to most religions.
C. The belief is suggestive of excessive family pressure.
The belief is not necessarily suggestive of excessive family pressure. While family dynamics can influence a child's beliefs and behaviors, the scenario describes a typical cognitive developmental stage where children are still learning to differentiate between reality and their own thoughts, leading to magical thinking and unique interpretations.
D. It is a belief common at this age.
The belief is indeed common at this age. During middle childhood, children often exhibit concrete operational thinking, which includes a tendency to interpret events in a self-centered and concrete manner. Beliefs like the one described in the scenario, where the child connects her illness to perceived bad behavior and potential consequences, are characteristic of this developmental stage.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice D. It is a belief common at this age.
Choice A rationale:
The statement does not suggest a failed attempt to develop a conscience. The scenario described is more related to the cognitive development of an 8-year-old child. Children at this age often have magical thinking and may interpret events, such as illness, as punishments for perceived wrongdoing. This is a normal aspect of their cognitive development rather than a reflection of a failed attempt to develop a conscience.
Choice B rationale:
While beliefs about punishment and consequences are present in many religions, the scenario is not about a general religious belief but rather a specific belief held by the individual child. This belief is reflective of the child's cognitive understanding and not necessarily a religious teaching common to most religions.
Choice C rationale:
The belief is not necessarily suggestive of excessive family pressure. While family dynamics can influence a child's beliefs and behaviors, the scenario describes a typical cognitive developmental stage where children are still learning to differentiate between reality and their own thoughts, leading to magical thinking and unique interpretations.
Choice D rationale:
The belief is indeed common at this age. During middle childhood, children often exhibit concrete operational thinking, which includes a tendency to interpret events in a self-centered and concrete manner. Beliefs like the one described in the scenario, where the child connects her illness to perceived bad behavior and potential consequences, are characteristic of this developmental stage.
When is it generally recommended that a child being treated for acute streptococcal pharyngitis may return to school?
A. If no complications develop.
Returning to school if no complications develop is not a sufficient guideline for allowing a child with streptococcal pharyngitis to return to school. Streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat) is highly contagious, and children should be treated with antibiotics to prevent the spread of the infection.
B. When the sore throat is better.
Waiting until the sore throat is better is not a specific enough criterion for returning to school. While the resolution of symptoms is an important factor, it's crucial to ensure that the child has also been on antibiotics for an appropriate duration to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.
C. After taking antibiotics for 24 hours.
The recommended guideline is to return to school after taking antibiotics for 24 hours. This timeframe helps ensure that the child's contagiousness is significantly reduced, minimizing the risk of transmitting the infection to classmates and school staff.
D. After taking antibiotics for 3 days.
Waiting for three days after taking antibiotics is not as precise as waiting for 24 hours. With proper antibiotic treatment, the child's contagiousness decreases rapidly, and waiting for three days might be unnecessary and could potentially result in more missed school days than needed.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice C. After taking antibiotics for 24 hours.
Choice A rationale:
Returning to school if no complications develop is not a sufficient guideline for allowing a child with streptococcal pharyngitis to return to school. Streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat) is highly contagious, and children should be treated with antibiotics to prevent the spread of the infection.
Choice B rationale:
Waiting until the sore throat is better is not a specific enough criterion for returning to school. While the resolution of symptoms is an important factor, it's crucial to ensure that the child has also been on antibiotics for an appropriate duration to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.
Choice C rationale:
The recommended guideline is to return to school after taking antibiotics for 24 hours. This timeframe helps ensure that the child's contagiousness is significantly reduced, minimizing the risk of transmitting the infection to classmates and school staff.
Choice D rationale:
Waiting for three days after taking antibiotics is not as precise as waiting for 24 hours. With proper antibiotic treatment, the child's contagiousness decreases rapidly, and waiting for three days might be unnecessary and could potentially result in more missed school days than needed.