The nurse is caring for a child with sickle cell disease who is experiencing a sickle cell crisis. Which finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider immediately?
Swelling in the hands or feet.
Ulcers on the legs.
Chest pain.
Jaundice.
The Correct Answer is C
The nurse should report chest pain to the healthcare provider immediately when caring for a child with sickle cell disease who is experiencing a sickle cell crisis. Chest pain can be a sign of acute chest syndrome, a potentially life-threatening complication of sickle cell disease that requires prompt treatment.
Swelling in the hands or feet, ulcers on the legs, and jaundice are common symptoms of sickle cell disease and do not require immediate reporting to the healthcare provider.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Many infants with congenital heart defects exhibit audible murmurs due to turbulent blood flow through abnormal openings or stenotic valves. While a murmur is a diagnostic hallmark of the condition, it is often an expected finding and does not necessarily indicate acute physiological deterioration. The nurse must document the murmur, but it is rarely the most urgent finding to report.
B. A heart rate of 162 beats/minute in an infant is slightly elevated above the typical resting range but can be triggered by crying, feeding, or baseline cardiac stress from the defect. Although tachycardia requires close monitoring to ensure the infant is not entering a state of high-output failure, it is less critical than signs of fluid overload. It represents a compensatory mechanism rather than an immediate life-threatening complication.
C. Infants with cardiac defects often experience fatigue during feeding because of the high metabolic demand and decreased cardiac output. Poor suckling effort and inadequate oral intake are common symptoms of pediatric heart failure that lead to failure to thrive over time. While this finding is significant for long-term nutritional management, it does not suggest an acute, rapid shift in stability like sudden weight changes.
D. Rapid weight gain of 1 kg within 48 hours is the most critical finding because it indicates acute fluid volume excess and potential congestive heart failure. In an infant, such a significant increase is almost certainly due to fluid retention rather than nutritional growth. This clinical sign suggests that the heart is unable to manage the systemic or pulmonary circulation effectively, necessitating immediate medical intervention.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
To ensure the cooperation of a preschooler during an assessment of lung sounds, the nurse can allow the child to use a stethoscope on a stuffed animal. This helps the child understand what is happening and feel more comfortable with the procedure. Having the child blow a cotton ball (A), placing a toy in the child's hands (B), and offering bubbles (C ) may distract the child but do not directly involve them in the procedure.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today