A nurse is caring for a school-age child in the pediatric unit.
Complete the diagram by dragging from the choices below to specify what condition the client is most likely experiencing. 2 actions the nurse should take to address that condition, and 2 parameters the nurse should monitor to assess the client's progress.
The Correct Answer is []
Rationale for correct choices:
- Nephrotic syndrome: The child shows hallmark signs of nephrotic syndrome—periorbital edema, fatigue, frothy urine, hypoalbuminemia (1.4 g/dL), hyperlipidemia (cholesterol 465 mg/dL), massive proteinuria (24 mg/dL), and specific gravity of 2.066. The elevated platelets and ESR also support an inflammatory renal process.
- Administer oral corticosteroids: Corticosteroids like prednisone are the first-line treatment for nephrotic syndrome as they reduce proteinuria by suppressing immune-mediated damage to the glomeruli.
- Encourage a low-sodium diet: A low-sodium diet helps control edema by minimizing fluid retention, which is especially important in children presenting with ascites and periorbital swelling.
- Abdominal girth: Measuring abdominal girth helps track changes in ascites and monitor the effectiveness of fluid management interventions like diet and medication.
- Urine specific gravity: Monitoring urine specific gravity assesses kidney concentration ability and fluid balance. Persistently elevated values may indicate worsening proteinuria or fluid imbalance
Rationale for incorrect choices:
- Acute glomerulonephritis: Although this condition can cause hematuria and edema, it typically follows a streptococcal infection and presents with hypertension, gross hematuria, and low urine output not massive proteinuria or hyperlipidemia.
- Chronic kidney disease: CKD develops over time and is characterized by progressive decline in renal function. This child’s symptoms and labs point more toward an acute or relapsing condition like nephrotic syndrome.
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome: HUS is associated with recent diarrheal illness, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and acute kidney injury—not heavy proteinuria or hypoalbuminemia. Platelet count here is high, not low as seen in HUS.
- Initiate contact precautions: Contact precautions are not routinely required for nephrotic syndrome unless there’s an active infection or immunosuppressive therapy risk—neither of which is indicated in the current scenario.
- Initiate peritoneal dialysis: Dialysis is reserved for end-stage renal disease or severe fluid overload unresponsive to other treatments. The child’s kidney function here, while abnormal, does not yet warrant dialysis.
- Administer antibiotics: There’s no evidence of bacterial infection—no fever, elevated WBC count, or infectious focus. Antibiotics are not appropriate without signs of infection.
- Head circumference: Head circumference is useful in infants for monitoring brain growth but irrelevant in school-age children with kidney disorders.
- Bilirubin: Bilirubin levels assess liver function and jaundice; they’re not relevant in evaluating nephrotic syndrome progression.
- HbA1c: HbA1c measures long-term glucose control in diabetes, not kidney function or protein loss. It's unrelated to the child’s current presentation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. The client reports a pain level of 6 on a scale from 0 to 10: Moderate pain is expected postoperatively and should be managed, but it does not indicate an immediate threat to tissue viability or life. It is not the top priority when compared to signs of stoma compromise.
B. The client refuses to look at the colostomy: Emotional adjustment is important and should be addressed with sensitivity, but it is a psychosocial concern rather than a physiological emergency. This can be prioritized after physical complications are ruled out.
C. The colostomy has had no output: Absence of output within the first 24 hours may be related to bowel manipulation during surgery. While it should be monitored, it is not as urgent as signs suggesting stoma necrosis or ischemia.
D. The stoma appears dark purple in color: A dark purple stoma indicates poor perfusion or possible necrosis, which is a surgical emergency. A healthy stoma should appear pink or red and moist. Immediate intervention is required to preserve tissue viability.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Increased salivation: Increased salivation is not an expected effect of cardiac catheterization. It may indicate a reaction to medication or anxiety but is not directly associated with the procedure.
B. Headache: While headaches can occur with some cardiac medications or contrast agents, they are not typical or expected during catheterization itself. Persistent headaches should be reported and evaluated further.
C. Sensation of skin warmth: A warm or flushed sensation is a common and expected finding during cardiac catheterization due to the injection of contrast dye. Patients are typically informed in advance to reduce alarm.
D. Numbness and tingling of the extremities: These sensations may suggest compromised circulation or nerve involvement, which is not expected and should be promptly reported. It could indicate a complication from arterial access.
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