The follow questions refer to the patient described below:
A 9 yr. old child with both hydrocephalus and a cardiac defect weighs 55 pounds. He requires digoxin by mouth once daily, the dose should be held if there are any symptoms of toxicity.
Pediatric maintenance dose is 5 mcg/kg daily given as a single dose. After listening to the apical rate for one full minute, you note it is only 50. Should you administer the digoxin as ordered?
NO
Just administer it without checking
instruct mom to give it
Yes
The Correct Answer is A
Digoxin is a medication commonly used to treat certain heart conditions, including some congenital heart defects. It's important to monitor the heart rate and other signs of toxicity when administering digoxin, especially in pediatric patients. Let's break down the information given:
The pediatric maintenance dose of digoxin is 5 mcg/kg daily.
The child weighs 55 pounds (approximately 25 kg).
Given these values, the total daily dose for this child would be:
Total daily dose = 5 mcg/kg × 25 kg = 125 mcg
This total daily dose is usually given as a single dose. However, the child's heart rate is noted to be only 50 beats per minute (bpm). A heart rate of 50 bpm in a child could potentially indicate bradycardia (slow heart rate), which can be a sign of digoxin toxicity. Bradycardia is a known adverse effect of digoxin, and it's important to assess for other signs of toxicity as well, such as nausea, vomiting, and changes in color vision.
In this case, it would be prudent to withhold the digoxin and assess the child further for signs of toxicity or bradycardia. The dose should not be administered until the healthcare provider is consulted and appropriate action is determined.
So, the correct answer is indeed NO. Administering the digoxin without considering the slow heart rate and the potential for toxicity could be unsafe for the child.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Allow for adjustment of rules to correlate with the child's behavior.Rules should be consistent and predictable for children with ASD. Frequently changing or “adjusting” rules to match variable behavior increases confusion and anxiety and reduces opportunities to learn expected behaviors.
B. Allow for imaginative play with peers without supervision.
Many children with ASD need structured, supervised social interactions and support to learn play skills, take turns, and interpret social cues. Unsupervised imaginative play may lead to misunderstanding, frustration, or safety issues.
C. Provide a flexible schedule that adjusts to the child's interests.
While incorporating a child’s interests into activities is useful, children with ASD generally do best with a structured, predictable schedule. Sudden flexibility or frequent schedule changes can be disorienting. Best practice: keep a consistent routine but incorporate preferred interests within that structure.
D. Establish a reward system for positive behavior.A reward system (token economy, sticker charts, immediate specific praise) provides clear, consistent, and concrete reinforcement for targeted behaviors. This increases motivation, helps teach expected behaviors, and can be faded gradually as behaviors become routine.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Assume you made a mistake and report out the same head circumference as before.
Incorrect Explanation: Assuming a mistake without taking proper action might not be the best approach.
Explanation: While it's good to consider the possibility of human error, healthcare professionals should prioritize accurate measurements and follow appropriate protocols when discrepancies arise.
B. Take Vital Signs.
Incorrect Explanation: Taking vital signs might not directly address the concern about the head circumference measurement.
Explanation: Vital signs (like heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure) are important indicators of a patient's overall health, but they may not directly address the issue of the head circumference measurement discrepancy.
C. Report to the MD/NP/PA in charge of the patient the head circumference that you obtained as well as the patient's current status. Expect that they will also re-measure.
Correct Explanation: This is the best next step.
Explanation: When there's a discrepancy in a critical measurement like head circumference, it's important to communicate this to the responsible healthcare provider (MD/NP/PA). They need to be aware of any changes in the patient's condition and measurements, and they will likely want to re-measure or reassess the situation themselves to ensure accuracy.
D. Move your measuring tape to above the mid-forehead, so that your number matches the findings from the week before.
Incorrect Explanation: Fudging measurements to match previous data is not a professional or ethical approach.
Explanation: Altering measurements to match previous values, especially without proper indication, is not a responsible practice in healthcare. It's essential to ensure accurate and honest documentation.
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