What is the most common cause of abdominal pain in school-aged children?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Constipation is the most common cause of abdominal pain in school-aged children. It is often due to dietary factors such as low fiber intake or insufficient fluid consumption. Chronic constipation can lead to complications like fecal impaction and soiling, highlighting the importance of early recognition and treatment. Gastroenteritis, although common, typically presents with diarrhea and vomiting. Appendicitis is more common in adolescents and typically presents with right lower quadrant pain. Irritable bowel syndrome is less common in children and is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain associated with defecation.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Currant jelly-like stools, which contain blood and mucus, are characteristic of Meckel diverticulum. This symptom occurs due to the bleeding from the ectopic gastric mucosa present in the diverticulum. Steatorrhea (choice A) is not typically associated with Meckel diverticulum. Clay-colored stools (choice B) are seen in conditions affecting the biliary system. Loose stools with undigested food (choice D) may indicate malabsorption issues, but it is not specifically linked to Meckel diverticulum.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Intussusception is the correct answer. It refers to the condition where one segment of the bowel folds into another, leading to an obstruction. Atresia (Choice A) is the absence or abnormal closure of a normal opening or tubular structure. Stenosis (Choice B) is the narrowing of a passage in the body. Herniation (Choice C) is the abnormal protrusion of an organ or tissue through a defect in its surrounding walls. Intussusception is a medical emergency commonly observed in infants and young children and necessitates prompt intervention to prevent severe complications.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Prepare for surgery. Acute appendicitis is a surgical emergency that requires prompt removal of the appendix to prevent complications like rupture and peritonitis. Administering antibiotics (choice A) may be part of the treatment plan but should not delay surgical intervention. Applying heat to the abdomen (choice B) is not recommended as it can worsen the inflammation of the appendix. Encouraging oral fluids (choice C) is generally beneficial, but the priority in acute appendicitis is surgical intervention.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to place the baby on their back to sleep. This position is the most effective way to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) according to research and recommendations from healthcare providers. Choice A, using a firm mattress, is important for infant safety but not as directly related to preventing SIDS. Keeping the room warm, as mentioned in choice C, is not recommended as it may increase the risk of SIDS. While breastfeeding has many benefits, choice D, breastfeeding exclusively is not the most effective method for preventing SIDS.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The Ortolani sign is a specific maneuver used during physical examination to detect hip instability or dislocation in infants. A positive Ortolani sign, where the hip is felt to slip back into the socket, is indicative of developmental dysplasia of the hip, a condition that can lead to long-term disability if not treated early. Romberg sign is used to assess sensory ataxia, Trendelenburg sign indicates weakness of the hip abductor muscles, and Gower's sign is seen in children with proximal muscle weakness climbing up their own body from a supine position due to conditions like muscular dystrophy.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The decision to advance feedings after a pyloromyotomy is based on the infant's ability to tolerate the current feedings without vomiting or abdominal distention. Ensuring the infant can keep down Pedialyte is the key indicator for moving to the next stage of feeding. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not directly relate to the infant's ability to tolerate the feeding. An infiltrated IV line, lack of voiding, or the mother's statement do not provide direct information on the infant's tolerance to the feeding, unlike the absence of vomiting and distention.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The primary concern with untreated vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in pediatric patients is chronic renal failure. Untreated VUR can lead to this complication due to recurrent urinary tract infections and kidney damage. While recurrent UTIs (Choice A) are a common consequence of VUR, the ultimate worry is the development of chronic renal failure. Hypertension (Choice C) may occur as a result of renal damage but is not the primary concern. Bladder dysfunction (Choice D) is not the most significant consequence of untreated VUR in terms of long-term outcomes compared to chronic renal failure.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Croup is the correct answer. It is characterized by a harsh, barking cough due to inflammation of the upper airways, specifically the larynx and trachea. Asthma (Choice A) often presents with wheezing and shortness of breath, not a barking cough. Bronchiolitis (Choice B) typically causes wheezing and respiratory distress in infants. Pneumonia (Choice D) manifests with symptoms such as fever, productive cough, and chest pain, but not usually a barking cough.