A 10-year-old boy has been seen frequently by the school nurse over the past three weeks after school begins in the fall. He reports headaches, stomach aches, and difficulty sleeping.
Which intervention should the nurse implement?
Ask the boy to describe a typical day at school.
Compare the child's vital signs over the past three weeks.
Conduct a complete neurological assessment.
Counsel the parents to pay more attention to the child.
The Correct Answer is A
The boy's reported symptoms may indicate stress or anxiety related to his school experience. By asking the boy to describe a typical day at school, the nurse can gather information about the child's interactions with teachers and peers, academic performance, and any other potential sources of stress. This information can be used to develop an appropriate plan of care that addresses the child's emotional and physical needs.
Comparing vital signs or conducting a neurological assessment may not provide useful information in this case, and counseling the parents to pay more attention to the child is not a recommended intervention without first identifying the underlying cause of the child's symptoms.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
In a normal infant, T4 levels increase after birth due to stimulation by TSH from the pituitary gland. In this case, the T4 level is low and the TSH level is high, indicating that the thyroid gland is not producing enough T4 in response to TSH stimulation. This suggests that the infant may have congenital hypothyroidism, which requires prompt treatment to prevent developmental delays and other complications.
The low T4 level is not a direct cause of the high TSH level; rather, the high TSH level is a compensatory mechanism to increase T4 production. It is not normal for a breastfeeding infant to have high thyroxine levels. While the thyroid gland may take a few weeks to reach normal function after birth, the persistent low T4 and high TSH levels in this infant suggest a more serious issue.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Hypoparathyroidism is a disorder in which the parathyroid glands produce insufficient amounts of parathyroid hormone, which regulates calcium and phosphorus levels in the body. In hypoparathyroidism, there is a decreased level of calcium in the blood, which can result in carpal spasm or tetany when pressure is applied to the upper arm.
Therefore, the nurse should review the child's calcium level (D) to determine if it is within the normal range. Low calcium levels can cause muscle spasms, seizures, and cardiac arrhythmias. Hypocalcemia may also result in other symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and muscle cramps.
Potassium (A), chloride (B), and sodium (C) are electrolytes that play important roles in various physiological processes in the body, but they are not directly related to the development of carpal spasm in a child with hypoparathyroidism. While hypokalemia (low potassium) or hyponatremia (low sodium) can cause muscle weakness or cramps, these conditions are not typically associated with carpal spasm in hypoparathyroidism.
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