ATI RN
Pediatric Endocrine Nursing Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A 9-year-old girl develops polyuria, vomiting, abdominal pain, and deep acidotic breathing during an intercurrent illness. She has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus 5 years ago. Lab investigations reveal: blood glucose, 600 mg/dL; blood pH, 7.28; serum bicarbonate concentration, 14 mEq/L; and ketones in urine are positive. Of the following, the MOST serious complication that may occur in this girl is
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cerebral edema is the most serious complication of DKA in children, potentially fatal due to brain swelling from rapid fluid shifts during treatment. Arrhythmias (A), renal injury (C), pulmonary edema (D), and bowel ischemia (E) are less common or less immediately life-threatening.
Question 2 of 5
A 16-year-old boy has delayed puberty; he doesn’t develop secondary sexual characteristics; he has a normal stature according to his chronological age. Examination reveals an upper-to-lower segment ratio of 0.8 (normal ratio is more than 0.9). Of the following, the MOST important test to confirm diagnosis is
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Delayed puberty with eunuchoid proportions (low upper-to-lower ratio) suggests hypogonadism; gonadotropin levels distinguish primary (high) from secondary (low) causes, guiding further evaluation. Other tests (B, C, D, E) are less immediately diagnostic.
Question 3 of 5
A 5-day-old male neonate develops poor feeding, irritability and tachycardia; her mother has been developed hyperthyroidism before pregnancy that was treated by radioiodine. The pregnancy course was unremarkable. Lab investigations reveal markedly elevation of T4 and T3. Of the following, the MOST likely diagnosis is
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Neonatal hyperthyroidism is often congenital, caused by maternal thyroid-stimulating antibodies crossing the placenta, fitting this scenario. Primary (B), secondary (C), and tertiary (D) hyperthyroidism are not neonatal-specific, and radioiodine (E) doesn’t cause fetal hyperthyroidism.
Question 4 of 5
A 6-year-old boy develops precocious puberty; he has acne, pubic and axillary hair, and penile enlargement with normal testicular size. His blood pressure is elevated. Lab test reveals hypokalemia, and elevated level of deoxycorticosterone. MRI of the brain is normal. Of the following, the MOST likely enzyme deficiency for this boy is
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: 11-hydroxylase deficiency causes precocious puberty, hypertension, hypokalemia, and elevated deoxycorticosterone, matching this case. 21-hydroxylase (E) typically causes virilization without hypertension, and others (B, C, D) don’t fit.
Question 5 of 5
The major cause of the acute scrotum in boys less than 6 years of age is
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The major cause of the acute scrotum in boys less than 6 years is torsion of the testis, a surgical emergency requiring prompt intervention.