Question

The healthcare provider prescribes ceftriaxone 50 mg/kg IM in single dose for a child with otitis media. The child weighs 33 pounds, and the medication is reconstituted and labeled "Ceftriaxone 350 mg/mL." How many mL should the practical nurse (PN) administer to this child? (Enter the numerical value only. If rounding required, round to the nearest whole number.)

Answer 1

Correct Answers:

2

Rationale :

Step 1: 33 lb ÷ 2.2 = 15 kg Step 2: 50 mg × 15 kg = 750 mg needed Step 3: 750 mg ÷ 350 mg/mL = 2.14 mL Step 4: Round → 2 mL

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Answer 2

Correct Answers:

A primipara who is ambulating 2 days post cesarean section.
A primipara who needs assistance in breastfeeding for the first time.

Rationale :

🟡 A primipara who is ambulating 2 days post cesarean section

🟡 This client is 48 hours post cesarean section, which generally indicates a stable postoperative recovery phase if no complications are noted.

🟡 At this stage, care involves routine postpartum assessments such as incision inspection, fundal checks, lochia monitoring, and pain evaluation.

🟡 These are considered predictable findings with expected outcomes, making them appropriate for PN-level care.

🟡 The fact that she is ambulating demonstrates hemodynamic stability and adequate recovery progression.

🟡 Because her condition is stable and does not require complex clinical judgment, this assignment is appropriate for the PN.

🟡 A primipara who needs assistance in breastfeeding for the first time

🟡 Breastfeeding support is a routine maternal-newborn nursing intervention within the PN scope of practice.

🟡 A first-time mother commonly requires assistance with positioning, latch technique, and feeding frequency education.

🟡 This care involves predictable teaching needs and does not indicate instability.

🟡 The PN can monitor for signs of effective milk transfer and nipple integrity while reinforcing education.

🟡 Since this client is stable and requires standard postpartum guidance, she is appropriate for PN assignment.

❌ A multipara who needs patient controlled analgesia (PCA) pump post cesarean section

🟡 PCA therapy requires continuous monitoring of respiratory status and sedation level, which demands higher-level assessment skills.

🟡 Management of PCA pumps is typically assigned to the RN due to the need for advanced clinical judgment.

❌ A multipara who is complaining of a headache and epigastric discomfort

🟡 Headache and epigastric pain postpartum are warning signs of preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome.

🟡 These symptoms indicate potential instability and require immediate RN evaluation.

❌ A multipara who delivered a 10 pound (4.5 kg) term neonate four hours ago

🟡 A macrosomic infant increases the risk of uterine overdistention and postpartum hemorrhage.

🟡 Being only four hours postpartum places this client in a high-risk immediate recovery phase, requiring RN-level care.

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Answer 3

Correct Answers

Blank 1 Correct Option: Hypoxia
Blank 2 Correct Option: Perform oropharyngeal suctioning and Provide humidified supplemental oxygen
Blank 3 Correct Option: Oxygen saturation and blood gas

Rationale :

🔵 Most Likely Condition: Hypoxia

🔵 The child has a respiratory rate of 10 breaths/minute, which is significantly below the expected range for a 12-year-old and indicates respiratory depression.

🔵 A heart rate of 50 beats/minute in a child is bradycardic and may occur secondary to worsening oxygen deprivation.

🔵 The chest x-ray confirms right lower lobe pneumonia, which impairs gas exchange due to alveolar consolidation.

🔵 Fever and infection increase metabolic demand, further worsening oxygen imbalance.

🔵 These findings strongly indicate hypoxia, not arrest or apnea, because the child still has spontaneous respirations and a pulse.

🔵 Actions the PN Should Take

🔵 Provide humidified supplemental oxygen

🔵 Oxygen therapy directly treats decreased oxygen saturation and impaired gas exchange caused by pneumonia.

🔵 Humidification prevents drying of airways and improves secretion mobilization.

🔵 Supplemental oxygen helps prevent further tissue hypoxia and organ dysfunction.

🔵 Early oxygen support reduces risk of progression to respiratory failure.

🔵 This is an immediate and appropriate PN intervention.

🔵 Perform oropharyngeal suctioning

🔵 Pneumonia leads to increased respiratory secretions, which can obstruct airflow.

🔵 Suctioning helps maintain airway patency and improves ventilation.

🔵 Clearing secretions enhances oxygen delivery to alveoli.

🔵 Children with cerebral palsy may have impaired cough reflex, increasing retention risk.

🔵 Maintaining a clear airway supports effective breathing.

🔵 Parameters the PN Should Monitor

🔵 Oxygen saturation

🔵 Oxygen saturation directly reflects the client’s oxygenation status.

🔵 Continuous monitoring detects worsening hypoxia early.

🔵 A drop in saturation would indicate need for escalation of care.

🔵 It helps evaluate response to supplemental oxygen.

🔵 This is the most immediate indicator of respiratory improvement.

🔵 Blood gas

🔵 Arterial blood gases assess PaO₂, PaCO₂, and acid-base balance.

🔵 Pneumonia can cause respiratory acidosis if ventilation is inadequate.

🔵 Blood gases help determine severity of respiratory compromise.

🔵 They guide oxygen therapy adjustments.

🔵 Monitoring ensures the child is improving physiologically.

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Answer 4

Correct Answers:

Report to the labor and delivery unit.

Rationale :

🔴 The client is at 40-weeks gestation, which is considered full-term pregnancy, meaning labor can begin at any time and should be taken seriously.

🔴 Contractions occurring every 5 to 10 minutes that increase in intensity with walking are classic signs of true labor, not false labor.

🔴 In true labor, contractions become stronger, more regular, and closer together, especially with activity, whereas false labor often decreases with rest or hydration.

🔴 A primigravida client may have a longer latent phase, but once contractions are this frequent and intensifying, evaluation in the hospital is appropriate to assess cervical dilation and fetal status.

🔴 Because the contraction pattern suggests active progression toward labor, the healthcare provider would instruct the client to report to the labor and delivery unit for further assessment.

❌ Drink 8 ounces (240 mL) of water

🔴 Hydration is often recommended for Braxton Hicks contractions, which are irregular and decrease with fluid intake.

🔴 This client’s contractions are increasing in intensity with activity, which indicates true labor, not dehydration-related uterine irritability.

❌ Lie on the left side for 30 minutes

🔴 Resting on the left side may decrease false labor contractions.

🔴 True labor contractions typically persist and intensify despite rest, making this instruction inappropriate.

❌Monitor contractions for another hour

🔴 Waiting may delay evaluation of cervical changes and fetal well-being.

🔴 With contractions already occurring every 5–10 minutes at term, assessment in labor and delivery is indicated.

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Answer 5

Correct Answers:

Turn the infant over and provide chest thrusts.

Rationale :

🟠 A 10-month-old infant who is choking requires the infant choking protocol, which includes alternating 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the object is expelled or the infant becomes unresponsive.

🟠 After delivering a back blow and the obstruction is not relieved, the next step is to turn the infant over while supporting the head and neck to perform chest thrusts.

🟠 Chest thrusts are delivered using two fingers on the lower half of the sternum, similar hand placement as infant CPR but slower and more deliberate.

🟠 This technique increases intrathoracic pressure, helping to dislodge the foreign body from the airway.

🟠 Continuing the proper sequence (back blows → chest thrusts) is critical to effectively clear the airway and prevent progression to respiratory arrest.

❌ Use the heel of the hand for additional back blows

🟠 Back blows are correctly delivered with the heel of the hand, but they should be alternated with chest thrusts, not repeated continuously without switching.

🟠 Failing to alternate steps breaks the standard infant choking algorithm.

❌Continue to provide finger compressions

🟠 Finger compressions are used for chest thrusts, not as a separate continuous maneuver.

🟠 The correct sequence requires repositioning the infant before performing chest thrusts.

❌ Reposition the infant with the head up

🟠 The infant should remain in a head-down position to allow gravity to assist in clearing the obstruction.

🟠 Placing the head up may worsen airway blockage.

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Answer 6

Correct Answers:

Flaring of the nares.

Rationale :

🔵 Nasal flaring is a sign of respiratory distress in a newborn and indicates increased work of breathing.

🔵 Newborns are primarily obligate nose breathers, so any nasal obstruction or flaring suggests compromised airflow.

🔵 Flaring occurs when the infant attempts to increase oxygen intake due to impaired gas exchange.

🔵 This finding may indicate conditions such as respiratory distress syndrome or infection.

🔵 Because respiratory compromise can rapidly deteriorate in neonates, this finding must be reported immediately.

❌ Shallow and irregular respirations

🔵 Newborn respirations are normally irregular due to immature respiratory control.

🔵 Brief periods of shallow breathing are common and not necessarily pathological.

❌ Respiratory rate of 50 per minute

🔵 The normal newborn respiratory rate ranges from 30–60 breaths per minute.

🔵 A rate of 50 is within expected parameters.

❌ Abdominal breathing with synchronous chest movement

🔵 Newborns normally demonstrate diaphragmatic (abdominal) breathing.

🔵 Synchronous chest and abdominal movement is expected and not concerning.

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Answer 7

Correct Answers:

Apply pressure to the tip of the nose.

Rationale :

🟢 Clients with von Willebrand disease have impaired platelet adhesion, leading to prolonged bleeding.

🟢 The priority intervention for epistaxis is direct pressure to the soft part of the nose, which compresses bleeding vessels.

🟢 Pressure should be maintained continuously for at least 10 minutes without interruption.

🟢 This action directly controls hemorrhage and minimizes blood loss.

🟢 Immediate bleeding control takes priority over assessment or comfort measures.

❌ Demonstrate mouth breathing

🟢 Mouth breathing may reduce swallowing of blood but does not control active bleeding.

🟢 Stopping hemorrhage is the priority.

❌ Place ice to the nape of the neck

🟢 Cold application may cause vasoconstriction but is not the first-line intervention.

🟢 Direct nasal pressure is more effective and evidence-based.

❌ Evaluate the nose for signs of trauma

🟢 Assessment is important but should not delay bleeding control.

🟢 Active hemorrhage requires immediate intervention.

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Answer 8

Correct Answers:

Joint pain.

Rationale :

🟣 Lyme disease can progress to late-stage manifestations, particularly Lyme arthritis.

🟣 After rash resolution, the child may develop migratory joint pain and swelling, especially in large joints like the knee.

🟣 This occurs due to persistent inflammatory immune response triggered by Borrelia burgdorferi.

🟣 Joint involvement can occur weeks to months after the initial infection.

🟣 Monitoring for arthritis ensures early treatment and prevents chronic complications.

❌ Lipoma formation

🟣 Lipomas are benign fatty tumors unrelated to Lyme disease.

🟣 They are not a known complication.

❌ Buccal ulceration

🟣 Oral ulcers are not characteristic of Lyme disease progression.

🟣 They are more commonly associated with autoimmune conditions.

❌ Extensor bruising

🟣 Bruising is not a typical sequela of Lyme disease.

🟣 It is unrelated to Borrelia infection.

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Answer 9

Correct Answers:

Pinch the nose using two fingers for at least five minutes.

Rationale :

🔶 The first-line treatment for spontaneous epistaxis is direct pressure applied to the soft part of the nose, which compresses the bleeding vessels in the anterior nasal septum.

🔶 Pressure should be maintained continuously for at least 5–10 minutes without releasing, because frequent checking disrupts clot formation.

🔶 Most pediatric nosebleeds originate from Kiesselbach’s plexus, an area rich in fragile capillaries.

🔶 Leaning slightly forward while applying pressure prevents aspiration or swallowing of blood.

🔶 Direct compression is the most effective and evidence-based immediate intervention.

❌ Insert a sterile cotton ball in the nose

🔶 Packing the nostril immediately may worsen mucosal irritation and dislodge clots.

🔶 Direct pressure should be attempted first before inserting materials into the nose.

❌ Apply an ice compress right away

🔶 Ice may help cause vasoconstriction but does not replace direct compression.

🔶 It is considered an adjunct measure rather than the priority action.

❌ Tip the child’s head back

🔶 Tilting the head backward increases risk of aspiration and nausea from swallowed blood.

🔶 The correct position is leaning forward.

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Answer 10

Correct Answers:

Obtain point-of-care glucose.

Rationale :

🔷 An HbA1C of 11% indicates poor long-term glycemic control, well above the reference of <7%.

🔷 Symptoms of thirst and blurred vision suggest current hyperglycemia.

🔷 The priority is to determine the current blood glucose level to assess for acute hyperglycemia or possible diabetic ketoacidosis.

🔷 A rapid bedside glucose provides immediate clinical data for intervention.

🔷 Determining real-time glucose status guides whether urgent insulin therapy or escalation is needed.

❌ Check blood pressure

🔷 Blood pressure is important but does not directly address acute hyperglycemia.

🔷 Glucose assessment is more urgent given the symptoms.

❌ Assess urine for ketones

🔷 Ketones are important if hyperglycemia is confirmed.

🔷 Blood glucose must be checked first to determine severity.

❌ Review prior insulin prescriptions

🔷 Reviewing prescriptions is part of long-term management.

🔷 Immediate assessment of current glucose level takes priority.

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QLexNursing

2 :
The practical nurse (PN) is working with a registered nurse (RN), another PN, and one unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) on a postpartum unit. Which client(s) should the PN accept for assignment of care? Select all that apply.

3 :
Patient Data

Correct Answers

4 :
A primigravida client at 40-weeks gestation calls the clinic reporting that her contractions are occurring every 5 to 10 minutes and become more intense with walking. The practical nurse (PN) should anticipate the healthcare provider providing which instruction for the client?

5 :
A 10-month-old is choking. The practical nurse (PN) provides a single back blow as seen in the picture. The infant continues to choke. Which action should the PN take next?

6 :
The practical nurse (PN) is performing a newborn assessment. Which symptom should be reported to the charge nurse immediately?

7 :
The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client with von Willebrand disease who is experiencing epistaxis. Which action should the PN take first?

8 :
After the resolution of the rash associated with Lyme disease, the practical nurse (PN) should monitor a pediatric client for which clinical manifestation?

9 :
While playing on the school playground, a child's nose begins to bleed for no apparent reason. Which action should the PN implement first?

10 :
The practical nurse (PN) is caring for an adolescent with type 1 diabetes mellitus presenting with an HbA1C of 11%, thirst, and blurred vision. Which action should the PN take first?
Reference range:
Glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) [Less than 7% with good diabetic control]

QLexNursing

2 : The practical nurse (PN) is working with a registered nurse (RN), another PN, and one unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) on a postpartum unit. Which client(s) should the PN accept for assignment of care? Select all that apply.

3 : Patient Data

Correct Answers

4 : A primigravida client at 40-weeks gestation calls the clinic reporting that her contractions are occurring every 5 to 10 minutes and become more intense with walking. The practical nurse (PN) should anticipate the healthcare provider providing which instruction for the client?

5 : A 10-month-old is choking. The practical nurse (PN) provides a single back blow as seen in the picture. The infant continues to choke. Which action should the PN take next?

6 : The practical nurse (PN) is performing a newborn assessment. Which symptom should be reported to the charge nurse immediately?

7 : The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client with von Willebrand disease who is experiencing epistaxis. Which action should the PN take first?

8 : After the resolution of the rash associated with Lyme disease, the practical nurse (PN) should monitor a pediatric client for which clinical manifestation?

9 : While playing on the school playground, a child's nose begins to bleed for no apparent reason. Which action should the PN implement first?

10 : The practical nurse (PN) is caring for an adolescent with type 1 diabetes mellitus presenting with an HbA1C of 11%, thirst, and blurred vision. Which action should the PN take first?Reference range:Glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) [Less than 7% with good diabetic control]

2 :
The practical nurse (PN) is working with a registered nurse (RN), another PN, and one unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) on a postpartum unit. Which client(s) should the PN accept for assignment of care? Select all that apply.

3 :
Patient Data

4 :
A primigravida client at 40-weeks gestation calls the clinic reporting that her contractions are occurring every 5 to 10 minutes and become more intense with walking. The practical nurse (PN) should anticipate the healthcare provider providing which instruction for the client?

5 :
A 10-month-old is choking. The practical nurse (PN) provides a single back blow as seen in the picture. The infant continues to choke. Which action should the PN take next?

6 :
The practical nurse (PN) is performing a newborn assessment. Which symptom should be reported to the charge nurse immediately?

7 :
The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client with von Willebrand disease who is experiencing epistaxis. Which action should the PN take first?

8 :
After the resolution of the rash associated with Lyme disease, the practical nurse (PN) should monitor a pediatric client for which clinical manifestation?

9 :
While playing on the school playground, a child's nose begins to bleed for no apparent reason. Which action should the PN implement first?

10 :
The practical nurse (PN) is caring for an adolescent with type 1 diabetes mellitus presenting with an HbA1C of 11%, thirst, and blurred vision. Which action should the PN take first?
Reference range:
Glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) [Less than 7% with good diabetic control]