The parents of a child who is scheduled for open-heart surgery ask why their child must be subjected to chest tubes after surgery. What should the nurse consider before responding in language the parents will understand?

Questions 96

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Pediatric HESI Test Bank Questions

Question 1 of 9

The parents of a child who is scheduled for open-heart surgery ask why their child must be subjected to chest tubes after surgery. What should the nurse consider before responding in language the parents will understand?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Chest tubes are used to drain air and fluid from the chest cavity to prevent complications such as pneumothorax or cardiac tamponade after surgery. Choice A is incorrect as chest tubes are not used to increase tidal volumes. Choice C is incorrect as chest tubes do not maintain positive intrapleural pressure; instead, they assist in removing excess air or fluid. Choice D is incorrect as chest tubes do not regulate pressure on the pericardium and chest wall; they primarily aid in drainage.

Question 2 of 9

The healthcare provider is assessing an infant and notes that the infant's urine has a mousy or musty odor. What would the healthcare provider suspect?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is suggested by a mousy or musty odor of the urine, caused by the inability to metabolize phenylalanine. Maple syrup urine disease (Choice A) is characterized by a sweet-smelling urine. Tyrosinemia (Choice B) presents with cabbage-like odor in the urine. Trimethylaminuria (Choice D) results in a fishy odor in the urine, breath, and sweat.

Question 3 of 9

A child has undergone a tonsillectomy, and a nurse is providing postoperative care. What is an important nursing intervention?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Administering antibiotics is a crucial nursing intervention after a tonsillectomy because it helps prevent infections, which are a common postoperative complication. Encouraging deep breathing exercises (Choice A) is also important for promoting lung expansion and preventing respiratory complications. Encouraging the child to eat (Choice B) may not be appropriate immediately after a tonsillectomy due to the risk of throat irritation and discomfort. Applying ice to the throat (Choice D) is generally not recommended post-tonsillectomy as it may cause vasoconstriction and hinder the healing process.

Question 4 of 9

The nurse is caring for a 3-day-old girl with Down syndrome whose mother had no prenatal care. What is the priority nursing diagnosis?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The priority nursing diagnosis for a 3-day-old girl with Down syndrome, whose mother had no prenatal care, is imbalanced nutrition, less than body requirements related to the effects of hypotonia. Newborns with Down syndrome often experience feeding difficulties due to hypotonia, which can lead to inadequate nutrition intake. Option B is incorrect because at this age, the infant is not capable of having knowledge deficits related to a genetic disorder. Option C is incorrect as delayed growth and development are not the immediate priority in this scenario. Option D is incorrect as impaired physical mobility is not typically a priority concern for a newborn with Down syndrome.

Question 5 of 9

An additional defect is associated with exstrophy of the bladder. For what anomaly should the nurse assess the infant?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, pubic bone malformation. Exstrophy of the bladder is commonly associated with pubic bone malformation because the condition involves a defect in the pelvic region. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Imperforate anus, absence of one kidney, and congenital heart disease are not typically associated with exstrophy of the bladder.

Question 6 of 9

While assessing a child admitted for an asthma attack, a nurse in the emergency department observes large welts and scars on the child's back. What additional information must be included in the nurse's assessment?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Signs of child abuse. When a nurse observes large welts and scars on a child, it raises concern for possible child abuse. It is crucial for the nurse to assess further for signs of abuse, document findings, and report appropriately to protect the child. Choice A, history of an injury, is not specific to potential abuse and may not provide insight into the current situation. Choice C, presence of food allergies, is not directly related to the observed welts and scars. Choice D, recent recovery from chickenpox, is also unrelated to the signs of abuse and does not impact the immediate assessment of the child's safety.

Question 7 of 9

The healthcare provider is admitting a child with a Wilms tumor. Which is the initial assessment finding associated with this tumor?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Abdominal swelling is a classic presentation and often the first noticeable sign of a Wilms tumor. This occurs due to the tumor mass in the kidney, leading to abdominal distension. Weight gain (Choice B) is less likely as a presenting symptom compared to abdominal swelling. Hypotension (Choice C) is not typically associated with a Wilms tumor unless complications like bleeding or shock occur. Increased urinary output (Choice D) is not a typical finding for Wilms tumor; instead, patients may present with hematuria or urinary symptoms.

Question 8 of 9

Which cardiac defects are associated with tetralogy of Fallot?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Tetralogy of Fallot is characterized by a combination of four specific cardiac defects: right ventricular hypertrophy, ventricular septal defect, pulmonic stenosis, and overriding aorta. Choice A is incorrect as it includes mitral valve stenosis, which is not typically part of tetralogy of Fallot. Choice B describes transposition of the great arteries rather than tetralogy of Fallot. Choice D includes an atrial septal defect, which is not part of the classic presentation of tetralogy of Fallot.

Question 9 of 9

What is an early sign of congestive heart failure that the nurse should recognize?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Tachypnea, which refers to rapid breathing, is an early sign of congestive heart failure. In heart failure, the heart's inability to pump efficiently can lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs, causing the child to breathe faster to try to compensate for the decreased oxygen exchange. Bradycardia (slow heart rate) is not typically associated with congestive heart failure; instead, it may indicate a different issue. Inability to sweat is not a common early sign of congestive heart failure. Increased urinary output is not a typical early sign of congestive heart failure; instead, it may be a sign of other conditions like diabetes or kidney issues.

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