ATI RN
Pediatric Nursing Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
Emil, just had a thyroidectomy this morning. Upon awakening, he complains of circumoral tingling, has a positive Chvostek's sign and positive Trousseau's sign. Nurse Ofel assesses this to be an indication of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The symptoms Emil is experiencing, such as circumoral tingling, positive Chvostek's sign (facial muscle spasm when the facial nerve is tapped), and positive Trousseau's sign (carpal spasm when a blood pressure cuff is inflated), are characteristic signs of hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia commonly occurs after thyroidectomy due to inadvertent damage or removal of the parathyroid glands. These glands regulate calcium levels in the body by secreting parathyroid hormone (PTH). Therefore, the symptoms Emil is exhibiting are likely due to the overstimulation of the parathyroid hormone in response to decreased calcium levels after the thyroidectomy. Insufficient iodine intake or overuse of radioactive iodine gland would not be the most likely explanations for his symptoms.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client with type I diabetes mellitus who exhibits confusion, light-headedness, and aberrant behavior. The client is still conscious. The nurse should first administer:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In this scenario where the client with type I diabetes mellitus is exhibiting confusion, light-headedness, and aberrant behavior, indicating hypoglycemia, the first-line treatment would be administering I.M. or subcutaneous glucagon. Glucagon helps to rapidly increase blood sugar levels by stimulating the liver to release stored glucose. This is crucial in situations where the client is conscious but unable to take oral carbohydrates, such as in cases of severe hypoglycemia with altered mental status. Administration of glucagon helps to quickly raise blood sugar levels and prevent further deterioration in the client's condition. Options B, C, and D are not the initial interventions in this situation and may not be as effective in rapidly correcting hypoglycemia in a client who is exhibiting signs of confusion and aberrant behavior.
Question 3 of 5
A diabetic client develops sinusitis and otitis media accompanied by a fever of 100.8â—‹0 F (38.2â—‹0 C). What effect may this have on his need for insulin?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When a diabetic client develops an infection, such as sinusitis and otitis media with a fever, the stress response can increase blood glucose levels. Infections trigger the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can lead to insulin resistance. Insulin requirements may increase during an infection due to the elevated blood glucose levels and the body's increased demand for energy to fight the infection. Therefore, the diabetic client with sinusitis and otitis media accompanied by a fever of 100.8°F (38.2°C) will likely require an increase in their insulin dosage to help control their blood glucose levels during this period.
Question 4 of 5
In a 28-year-old female client who is being successfully treated for Cushing syndrome, the nurse would expect a decline in:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In a 28-year-old female client who is being successfully treated for Cushing syndrome, a decline in menstrual flow would be expected due to the normalization of the hormonal imbalances associated with Cushing syndrome. Cushing syndrome can lead to elevated levels of cortisol, which can disrupt the normal menstrual cycle by affecting the production of reproductive hormones. As treatment successfully addresses the underlying cause of the hormonal imbalance, such as surgery to remove the source of excessive cortisol production or medication to control cortisol levels, the menstrual cycle is likely to return to normal, resulting in a decline in menstrual flow. This improvement in menstrual regularity is a positive indicator of successful treatment for Cushing syndrome in female clients.
Question 5 of 5
The normal life expectancy for 50% of patients ith amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The average life expectancy for individuals with ALS is around 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis. Therefore, the normal life expectancy for 50% of patients with ALS would be closer to the midpoint of this range, which is approximately 3 years. While some individuals may live longer than 3 years with ALS, for 50% of patients, this would be a reasonable estimate based on the typical progression of the disease.