A nurse is assessing a child and notes several bruises. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Ask a psychiatrist to talk with the parents.
Separate the child from the parents.
Report the suspected abuse to the authorities.
Obtain a detailed history.
The Correct Answer is D
a. While involving mental health professionals can be part of a broader intervention plan, it is not the immediate priority in cases of suspected abuse. The nurse must first address the immediate safety concerns and follow the required reporting procedures.
b. Separating the child from the parents without proper authority or immediate threat can escalate the situation and may not be legally permissible. This action should be taken by authorities with the legal power to do so if deemed necessary.
c. Nurses are mandated reporters, which means they are legally required to report any suspected child abuse to the appropriate authorities immediately. This action ensures that the child’s safety is prioritized and that a proper investigation can be initiated however, obtaining a detailed history is the priority.
d. When a nurse observes several bruises on a child, the initial action should be to obtain a detailed history. This step allows the nurse to gather information about the circumstances surrounding the bruises, assess for any potential signs of abuse, and determine the most appropriate course of action.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale: Yellow nasal discharge in a toddler with acute nephrotic syndrome signifies a potential upper respiratory tract infection, which is critically important. Children with nephrotic syndrome are highly susceptible to infections due to significant urinary loss of immunoglobulins, leading to an immunocompromised state. Furthermore, corticosteroid treatments, often prescribed for nephrotic syndrome, suppress the immune system. An infection can precipitate a relapse of the syndrome, lead to severe complications like peritonitis or sepsis, and requires prompt evaluation and potentially antibiotic therapy to prevent life-threatening outcomes.
Choice B rationale: Poor appetite is a non-specific symptom in toddlers with nephrotic syndrome and does not typically indicate an immediate, life-threatening complication. It can be attributed to generalized malaise, abdominal discomfort due to ascites, or even side effects of medications such as corticosteroids. While important to monitor for nutritional status and overall well-being, it does not carry the same urgency as signs of infection, which can rapidly lead to severe health deterioration in an immunocompromised child.
Choice C rationale: Facial edema is a cardinal clinical manifestation of acute nephrotic syndrome, resulting from profound hypoalbuminemia. Reduced plasma oncotic pressure causes fluid to shift from the intravascular space into the interstitial space, leading to generalized edema, often prominently in the face. This finding is expected and indicates the disease process itself, rather than an acute, unexpected complication requiring immediate reporting, unless there is a sudden, significant worsening or associated respiratory compromise.
Choice D rationale: Irritability in a toddler can be a manifestation of general discomfort, illness, or even a side effect of corticosteroid therapy, which can cause mood disturbances and behavioral changes. While it warrants assessment to identify the underlying cause, irritability is a non-specific symptom and does not directly indicate an urgent, life-threatening complication of nephrotic syndrome requiring immediate medical intervention, unlike the signs of an acute infection in an immunocompromised child.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Neural tube defects are birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord that happen in the first month of pregnancy.
Spina bifida is a neural tube defect that affects the spine.
Choice A, Hydrocephalus, is not a neural tube defect but rather a condition where there is an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain.
Choice B, Cerebral palsy, is not a neural tube defect but rather a group of disorders that affect movement and muscle tone or posture.
Choice D, Muscular dystrophy, is not a neural tube defect but rather a group of genetic diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass.
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