A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old male toddler in a pediatric clinic during a well-child checkup.
Exhibits
After reviewing the toddler’s current medical record, which of the following interventions should the nurse expect the provider to prescribe?
Protective environment
Blood transfusion
Iron supplementation
Antibiotic continuation
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale: A protective environment is typically indicated for immunocompromised clients, such as those with neutropenia or undergoing chemotherapy, not for uncomplicated anemia. The toddler’s white blood cell count is within the normal range of 5,000 to 10,000/mm³, and no evidence of infection risk or severe immunodeficiency is present. Pallor and low hemoglobin are consistent with iron deficiency anemia, which does not require isolation precautions unless additional hematologic compromise is identified.
Choice B rationale: Blood transfusions are reserved for cases of severe anemia with hemodynamic instability, cardiac compromise, or hemoglobin levels below 7 g/dL. This toddler’s hemoglobin is 8.1 g/dL, which while low, does not meet transfusion threshold in a stable, asymptomatic pediatric patient. Transfusion carries risks like iron overload and alloimmunization, making it inappropriate for mild to moderate anemia. Instead, correction through dietary modification and iron supplementation is preferred for age-related iron-deficiency anemia.
Choice C rationale: Iron supplementation is the standard therapy for iron deficiency anemia, especially in toddlers consuming excessive cow’s milk, which lacks iron and can cause occult intestinal blood loss. Hemoglobin of 8.1 g/dL is below the normal pediatric range of 9.5 to 14 g/dL, confirming anemia. Iron replenishment stimulates erythropoiesis by enabling hemoglobin synthesis. Supplementation corrects deficiency over time and should be paired with dietary education to limit milk to <24 oz/day and include iron-rich foods.
Choice D rationale: Continuing antibiotics is unnecessary unless there is ongoing infection. The toddler has recently completed antibiotic therapy for otitis media, and current symptoms do not suggest infection recurrence. Vital signs are stable and the white blood cell count is within normal limits (5,000–10,000/mm³), indicating no acute bacterial process. Antibiotic overuse may disrupt gut flora, impair iron absorption, and contribute to resistant bacterial strains, which is contraindicated in this clinical scenario.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Looping the tubing so it is lower than the collection bag creates a dependent loop, which can cause urine to pool and create a backflow into the bladder. This stasis of urine provides a fertile environment for bacteria to multiply and ascend the urinary tract, significantly increasing the client's risk for a urinary tract infection. The bag should always be below the bladder.
Choice B rationale
Keeping the urinary bag at bladder level or higher when ambulating is a significant risk factor for urinary tract infections. This positioning allows for the backflow of urine from the collection bag into the bladder. The retrograde flow of urine can transport bacteria into the sterile bladder, leading to bacterial colonization and a subsequent infection.
Choice C rationale
Securing the catheter to the client's thigh is a crucial intervention for minimizing the risk of a UTI. It prevents movement and traction on the catheter at the urethral meatus. This minimizes urethral tissue irritation and micro-trauma, which can serve as entry points for bacteria. It also reduces tension on the catheter, preventing accidental dislodgement.
Choice D rationale
Disconnecting the tubing connections to obtain a urinary sample is a high-risk action for introducing microorganisms. Each disconnection breaks the closed, sterile system, allowing airborne bacteria or contaminants from the external environment to enter the catheter and tubing. This breach of sterility can lead to bacterial ascension into the bladder, causing a urinary tract infection. *.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A tympanogram is a diagnostic test that measures the movement of the eardrum in response to changes in air pressure in the ear canal. It is used to assess the function of the middle ear and is not a part of the Weber's test. The Weber's test is a gross screening tool for hearing acuity that uses a vibrating tuning fork to compare bone conduction in both ears, not to evaluate middle ear function.
Choice B rationale
The Weber's test is a simple screening tool to detect unilateral hearing loss. The nurse places a vibrating tuning fork on the midline of the child's head, such as the forehead or the top of the head. The sound is transmitted through the skull bones to the inner ears. The child is asked where the sound is heard best—in the left ear, right ear, or equally in both. This assesses bone conduction.
Choice C rationale
The Weber's test evaluates whether the sound is heard equally in both ears or lateralizes to one ear, indicating a potential conductive or sensorineural hearing loss. It does not measure the duration of sound perception. Measuring the amount of time a client can hear the sound after the tuning fork is placed on the mastoid bone is part of the Rinne test, a different component of hearing assessment, which compares bone and air conduction.
Choice D rationale
Holding a vibrating tuning fork 1 to 2 cm from the ear canal is a procedure used for the Rinne test, not the Weber's test. The Rinne test compares air conduction to bone conduction. The vibrating tuning fork is placed first on the mastoid bone (bone conduction) and then near the ear canal (air conduction). This is used to distinguish between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. *.
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