Perry - Chapter 40 Flashcards
Which statement best describes why children have fewer respiratory tract infections as they grow older?
a. The amount of lymphoid tissue decreases.
b. Repeated exposure to organisms causes increased immunity.
c. Viral organisms are less prevalent in the population.
d. Secondary infections rarely occur after viral illnesses.
ANS: B
Children have increased immunity after exposure to a virus. The amount of lymphoid tissue increases as children grow older. Viral organisms are not less prevalent, but older children have the ability to resist invading organisms. Secondary infections after viral illnesses include Mycoplasma pneumoniae and groups A and B streptococcal infections.
A child has had cold symptoms for more than 2 weeks, a headache, nasal congestion with purulent nasal drainage, facial tenderness, and a cough that increases during sleep. The nurse recognizes that these symptoms are characteristic of which respiratory condition?
a. Allergic rhinitis c. Asthma
b. Bronchitis d. Sinusitis
ANS: D
Sinusitis is characterized by signs and symptoms of a cold that do not improve after 14 days, a low-grade fever, nasal congestion and purulent nasal discharge, headache, tenderness, a feeling of fullness over the affected sinuses, halitosis, and a cough that increases when the child is lying down. The classic symptoms of allergic rhinitis are watery rhinorrhea; itchy nose, eyes, ears, and palate; and sneezing. Symptoms occur as long as the child is exposed to the allergen. Bronchitis is characterized by a gradual onset of rhinitis and a cough that is initially nonproductive but may change to a loose cough. The manifestations of asthma may vary, with wheezing being a classic sign. The symptoms presented in the question do not suggest asthma
Decongestant nose drops are recommended for a 10-month-old infant with an upper respiratory tract infection. Instructions for nose drops should include:
a. Avoiding use for more than 3 days.
b. Keeping drops to use again for nasal congestion.
c. Administering drops until nasal congestion subsides.
d. Administering drops after feedings and at bedtime.
ANS: A
Vasoconstrictive nose drops such as Neo-Synephrine should not be used for more than 3 days to avoid rebound congestion. Drops should be discarded after one illness because they may become contaminated with bacteria. Vasoconstrictive nose drops can have a rebound effect after 3 days of use. Drops administered before feedings are more helpful.
When caring for an infant with an upper respiratory tract infection and elevated temperature, an appropriate nursing intervention is to:
a. Give tepid water baths to reduce fever.
b. Encourage food intake to maintain caloric needs.
c. Have child wear heavy clothing to prevent chilling.
d. Give small amounts of favorite fluids frequently to prevent dehydration.
ANS: D
Preventing dehydration by small frequent feedings is an important intervention in the febrile child. Tepid water baths may induce shivering, which raises temperature. Food should not be forced; it may result in the child vomiting. The febrile child should be dressed in light, loose clothing.
The parent of an infant with nasopharyngitis should be instructed to notify the health care professional if the infant:
a. Becomes fussy. c. Has a fever over 99° F.
b. Has a cough. d. Shows signs of an earache.
ANS: D
If an infant with nasopharyngitis has a fever over 101° F, there is early evidence of respiratory complications. Irritability and a slight fever are common in an infant with a viral illness. Cough can be a sign of nasopharyngitis.
It is generally recommended that a child with acute streptococcal pharyngitis can return to school:
a. When the sore throat is better. c. After taking antibiotics for 24 hours.
b. If no complications develop. d. After taking antibiotics for 3 days.
ANS: C
After children have taken antibiotics for 24 hours, even if the sore throat persists, they are no longer contagious to other children. Complications may take days to weeks to develop.
A child is diagnosed with influenza, probably type A disease. Management includes:
a. Clear liquid diet for hydration.
b. Aspirin to control fever.
c. Amantadine hydrochloride to reduce symptoms.
d. Antibiotics to prevent bacterial infection.
ANS: C
Amantadine hydrochloride may reduce symptoms related to influenza type A if administered within 24 to 48 hours of onset. It is ineffective against type B or C. A clear liquid diet is not necessary for influenza, but maintaining hydration is important. Aspirin is not recommended in children because of increased risk of Reye’s syndrome. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen is a better choice. Preventive antibiotics are not indicated for influenza unless there is evidence of a secondary bacterial infection.
Chronic otitis media with effusion (OME) is differentiated from acute otitis media (AOM) because it is usually characterized by:
a. Fever as high as 40° C (104° F). c. Nausea and vomiting.
b. Severe pain in the ear. d. A feeling of fullness in the ear.
ANS: D
OME is characterized by an immobile or orange-discolored tympanic membrane and nonspecific complaints and does not cause severe pain. Fever and severe pain may be signs of AOM. Nausea and vomiting are associated with otitis media.
Which statement is characteristic of acute otitis media (AOM)?
a. The etiology is unknown.
b. Permanent hearing loss often results.
c. It can be treated by intramuscular antibiotics.
d. It is treated with a broad range of antibiotics.
ANS: D
Historically AOM has been treated with a range of antibiotics, and it is the most common disorder treated with antibiotics in the ambulatory setting. The etiology of AOM may be bacterial, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis, or a viral agent. Recent concerns about drug-resistant organisms have caused authorities to recommend judicious use of antibiotics and that antibiotics are not required for initial treatment. Permanent hearing loss is not a frequent cause of properly treated AOM. Intramuscular antibiotics are not necessary. Oral amoxicillin is the treatment of choice.
An infant’s parents ask the nurse about preventing otitis media (OM). What should the nurse recommend?
a. Avoid tobacco smoke.
b. Use nasal decongestant.
c. Avoid children with OM.
d. Bottle-feed or breastfeed in supine position.
ANS: A
Eliminating tobacco smoke from the child’s environment is essential for preventing OM and other common childhood illnesses. Nasal decongestants are not useful in preventing OM. Children with uncomplicated OM are not contagious unless they show other upper respiratory infection symptoms. Children should be fed in an upright position to prevent OM.
Which type of croup is always considered a medical emergency?
a. Laryngitis c. Spasmodic croup
b. Epiglottitis d. Laryngotracheobronchitis (LTB)
ANS: B
Epiglottitis is always a medical emergency needing antibiotics and airway support for treatment. Laryngitis is a common viral illness in older children and adolescents, with hoarseness and upper respiratory infection symptoms. Spasmodic croup is treated with humidity. LTB may progress to a medical emergency in some children.
The nurse encourages the mother of a toddler with acute laryngotracheobronchitis to stay at the bedside as much as possible. The nurse’s rationale for this action is primarily that:
a. Mothers of hospitalized toddlers often experience guilt.
b. The mother’s presence will reduce anxiety and ease the child’s respiratory efforts.
c. Separation from the mother is a major developmental threat at this age.
d. The mother can provide constant observations of the child’s respiratory efforts.
ANS: B
The family’s presence will decrease the child’s distress. The mother may experience guilt, but this is not the best answer. Although separation from the mother is a developmental threat for toddlers, the main reason to keep parents at the child’s bedside is to ease anxiety and therefore respiratory effort. The child should have constant cardiorespiratory monitoring and noninvasive oxygen saturation monitoring, but the parent should not play this role in the hospital.
A school-age child has had an upper respiratory tract infection for several days and then began having a persistent dry, hacking cough that was worse at night. The cough has become productive in the past 24 hours. This is most suggestive of:
a. Bronchitis. c. Viral-induced asthma.
b. Bronchiolitis. d. Acute spasmodic laryngitis.
ANS: A
Bronchitis is characterized by these symptoms and occurs in children older than 6 years. Bronchiolitis is rare in children older than 2 years. Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways that may be exacerbated by a virus. Acute spasmodic laryngitis occurs in children between 3 months and 3 years.
Skin testing for tuberculosis (the Mantoux test) is recommended:
a. Every year for all children older than 2 years.
b. Every year for all children older than 10 years.
c. Every 2 years for all children starting at age 1 year.
d. Periodically for children who reside in high-prevalence regions.
ANS: D
Children who reside in high prevalence regions for tuberculosis should be tested every 2 to 3 years. Annual testing is not necessary. Testing is not necessary unless exposure is likely or an underlying medical risk factor is present.
The mother of a toddler yells to the nurse, “Help! He is choking to death on his food.” The nurse determines that lifesaving measures are necessary based on:
a. Gagging. c. Pulse over 100 beats/min.
b. Coughing. d. Inability to speak.
ANS: D
The inability to speak indicates a foreign-body airway obstruction of the larynx. Abdominal thrusts are needed for treatment of the choking child. Gagging indicates irritation at the back of the throat, not obstruction. Coughing does not indicate a complete airway obstruction. Tachycardia may be present for many reasons.
The nurse is caring for a child with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with sepsis. Nursing actions should include:
a. Force fluids. c. Institute seizure precautions.
b. Monitor pulse oximetry. d. Encourage a high-protein diet.
ANS: B
Monitoring cardiopulmonary status is an important evaluation tool in the care of the child with ARDS. Maintenance of vascular volume and hydration is important and should be done parenterally. Seizures are not a side effect of ARDS. Adequate nutrition is necessary, but a high-protein diet is not helpful.
The nurse is caring for a child with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning associated with smoke inhalation. What is essential in this child’s care?
a. Monitor pulse oximetry.
b. Monitor arterial blood gases.
c. Administer oxygen if respiratory distress develops.
d. Administer oxygen if child’s lips become bright, cherry red.
ANS: B
Arterial blood gases and COHb levels are the best way to monitor CO poisoning. PaO2 monitored with pulse oximetry may be normal in the case of CO poisoning. Oxygen at 100% should be given as quickly as possible, not only if respiratory distress or other symptoms develop.
Asthma in infants is usually triggered by:
a. Medications. c. Exposure to cold air.
b. A viral infection. d. Allergy to dust or dust mites.
ANS: B
Viral illnesses cause inflammation that causes increased airway reactivity in asthma. Medications such as aspirin, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, and antibiotics may aggravate asthma, but not frequently in infants. Exposure to cold air may exacerbate already existing asthma. Allergy is associated with asthma, but 20% to 40% of children with asthma have no evidence of allergic disease.