Midterm ch 26 Flashcards
A nurse is caring for a 6-year-old child diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome. Which of the following is the priority intervention?
A. Administering corticosteroids as prescribed
B. Monitoring for signs of infection
C. Encouraging high-protein snacks
D. Restricting fluids to prevent edema
B. Monitoring for signs of infection
Rationale: Children with nephrotic syndrome are at risk for infection due to immunosuppressive therapy (e.g., corticosteroids) and the loss of immunoglobulins in the urine. Therefore, monitoring for signs of infection is the priority intervention.
A pediatric nurse is teaching the parents of a child with acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) about the condition. Which of the following statements by the parent indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “We need to monitor for signs of high blood pressure.”
B. “I should watch for changes in my child’s urine color and amount.”
C. “Our child may need to follow a low-salt diet if edema worsens.”
D. “My child should avoid taking antibiotics in the future to prevent reinfection.”
D. “My child should avoid taking antibiotics in the future to prevent reinfection.”
Rationale: APSGN is typically a consequence of a previous streptococcal infection, and while treating the initial infection is crucial, the child does not need to avoid antibiotics for future infections. Proper antibiotic treatment is necessary to prevent further infections.
A child with nephrotic syndrome is receiving prednisone. The nurse should monitor for which of the following potential side effects of corticosteroid therapy?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Increased risk for infection
C. Decreased blood pressure
D. Bradycardia
B. Increased risk for infection
Rationale: Corticosteroids suppress the immune system, which increases the risk of infections. Monitoring for signs of infection is essential.
A 5-year-old child with nephrotic syndrome is admitted with severe edema. The nurse should prioritize which of the following interventions?
A. Administering a diuretic
B. Monitoring blood glucose levels
C. Measuring abdominal girth daily
D. Limiting the child’s physical activity
C. Measuring abdominal girth daily
Rationale: Abdominal girth is a reliable indicator of ascites and abdominal edema in children with nephrotic syndrome. Measuring it daily helps assess the severity of fluid retention and the effectiveness of interventions.
A child with nephrotic syndrome is receiving furosemide for edema. Which of the following lab values would indicate a need for immediate intervention?
A. Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
B. Sodium 138 mEq/L
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 15 mg/dL
D. Hemoglobin 12 g/dL
A. Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
Rationale: Furosemide is a potassium-wasting diuretic, and a potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L is low, which increases the risk for arrhythmias. The nurse should intervene promptly to correct the potassium imbalance.
The nurse is preparing to administer a dose of corticosteroids to a child with nephrotic syndrome. Which of the following should the nurse teach the parents?
A. “You should stop the medication immediately if you notice swelling or weight gain.”
B. “The medication will need to be tapered off gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms.”
C. “The child will need to avoid all vaccinations during corticosteroid therapy.”
D. “Your child will need to follow a high-salt diet to prevent fluid retention.”
B. “The medication will need to be tapered off gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms.”
Rationale: Corticosteroids must be tapered gradually to prevent withdrawal symptoms and adrenal insufficiency. Abrupt discontinuation can lead to significant complications.
A nurse is monitoring a child with acute glomerulonephritis. The nurse understands that which of the following findings is most likely to be present?
A. Hematuria
B. Decreased blood pressure
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
A. Hematuria
Rationale: Acute glomerulonephritis commonly presents with hematuria (presence of blood in the urine), proteinuria, and edema. The urine may appear tea-colored due to the presence of red blood cells.
The nurse is educating a parent of a child with nephrotic syndrome about dietary changes. Which of the following dietary modifications is most appropriate?
A. High-protein, low-sodium diet
B. High-calcium, low-sodium diet
C. Low-protein, high-sodium diet
D. Low-calcium, high-protein diet
A. High-protein, low-sodium diet
Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome leads to significant protein loss, so a high-protein diet is necessary. A low-sodium diet helps control edema and fluid retention, which is common in nephrotic syndrome.
A nurse is caring for a child with nephrotic syndrome who has been receiving corticosteroids for several weeks. Which of the following is a priority assessment for the nurse?
A. Assessment for signs of infection
B. Monitoring for signs of hyperglycemia
C. Monitoring for signs of dehydration
D. Assessing for signs of anemia
A. Assessment for signs of infection
Rationale: Corticosteroid therapy suppresses the immune system, making the child more susceptible to infections. The nurse should prioritize infection surveillance.
A child with nephrotic syndrome is being discharged after treatment for severe edema. Which of the following instructions is most important for the nurse to include in the discharge teaching?
A. “Monitor your child’s blood glucose levels regularly.”
B. “Administer antibiotics as prescribed if your child develops a fever.”
C. “Increase your child’s sodium intake to promote fluid retention.”
D. “Check your child’s weight daily and report significant changes.”
D. “Check your child’s weight daily and report significant changes.”
Rationale: Monitoring weight daily helps detect fluid retention or loss, which is crucial for managing nephrotic syndrome. Significant weight changes should be reported to the healthcare provider promptly.
A nurse is caring for a 7-year-old child diagnosed with acute glomerulonephritis. The child’s urine is noted to be dark and tea-colored. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this finding?
A. Hematuria
B. Proteinuria
C. Hyaline casts
D. Pyuria
A. Hematuria
Rationale: The dark, tea-colored urine is most commonly due to hematuria, which is a hallmark sign of glomerulonephritis. The blood in the urine gives it a dark color, often described as “cola-colored” or “tea-colored.”
A nurse is educating the parents of a child with acute glomerulonephritis. Which statement made by the parent indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I should monitor my child’s blood pressure regularly.”
B. “We need to limit our child’s fluid intake to reduce edema.”
C. “My child may experience swelling in the face, especially in the morning.”
D. “It’s important to ensure that my child gets enough protein in their diet.
D. “It’s important to ensure that my child gets enough protein in their diet.
Rationale: In glomerulonephritis, protein loss in the urine is common, and the diet may need to be adjusted to limit protein intake. The focus should be on managing symptoms, including edema and blood pressure, rather than increasing protein.
A child with acute glomerulonephritis is experiencing hypertension. Which of the following medications would most likely be prescribed to help control the blood pressure?
A. Furosemide
B. Lisinopril
C. Sodium bicarbonate
D. Morphine
B. Lisinopril
Rationale: Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, which helps manage hypertension by relaxing blood vessels and reducing the workload on the heart, making it appropriate for children with glomerulonephritis and elevated blood pressure.
A nurse is preparing to assess a child with glomerulonephritis for complications. Which of the following is the most serious complication to monitor for in this child?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Seizures
C. Acute renal failure
D. Diabetic ketoacidosis
C. Acute renal failure
Rationale: Acute renal failure is a serious complication of glomerulonephritis, often resulting from progressive damage to the glomeruli, which impairs kidney function. Early identification and intervention are critical to prevent irreversible kidney damage.
A child with glomerulonephritis is being discharged after a short hospital stay. Which of the following discharge instructions is most important for the nurse to include?
A. “Your child will need to be on a low-sodium diet to prevent fluid retention.”
B. “Ensure that your child avoids all physical activity for at least 6 months.”
C. “You should monitor for signs of infection and avoid immunizations for 6 months.”
D. “It is important to ensure your child consumes a high-protein diet to support healing.”
A. “Your child will need to be on a low-sodium diet to prevent fluid retention.”
Rationale: A low-sodium diet helps reduce fluid retention and edema, which is common in children with glomerulonephritis. Limiting salt intake is essential in managing the condition.
