Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a school-age child who has cystic fibrosis.
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Dornase alfa
Rationale:
💨 B. Dornase alfa
💨 Dornase alfa (Pulmozyme) is a recombinant human deoxyribonuclease (DNase) enzyme. It is used specifically in cystic fibrosis to reduce viscosity of pulmonary secretions.
💨 It works by breaking down DNA in the thick mucus that accumulates in the lungs, making it easier to expectorate.
💨 This improves airway clearance, decreases the frequency of respiratory infections, and slows the progression of lung damage.
💨 This medication is commonly inhaled via nebulizer on a daily basis.
🌡 C. Acetaminophen
🌡 Acetaminophen is a safe, effective antipyretic and analgesic, commonly used for children.
🌡 In this case, the child has a fever of 38.4°C (101.1°F) and dyspnea, which can increase metabolic demands and oxygen consumption.
🌡 Reducing fever and discomfort supports overall respiratory status, preserves energy, and improves comfort.
🌡 It is an appropriate choice for fever management unless contraindicated (e.g., liver dysfunction).
💊 D. Water-soluble vitamins
💊 Children with cystic fibrosis have exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, leading to malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K).
💊 Therefore, water-miscible (soluble) forms of these vitamins are required to ensure absorption and bioavailability.
💊 These vitamins support:
Vision and immune health (Vitamin A)
Bone health (Vitamin D)
Neurological and muscle function (Vitamin E)
Clotting (Vitamin K)
💊 Deficiency can cause night blindness, osteopenia, bleeding, and poor wound healing.
🧃 E. Pancreatic lipase
🧃 Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) is essential in children with cystic fibrosis due to pancreatic insufficiency.
🧃 Pancrelipase (a combination of lipase, amylase, and protease) aids in digestion and nutrient absorption, especially of fats and fat-soluble vitamins.
🧃 The child has steatorrhea (frothy, foul-smelling stools with fat) — a classic sign of enzyme deficiency.
🧃 Administering enzymes with every meal and snack improves:
Weight gain
Growth
Stool quality
Nutrient absorption
Want to practice more questions like this?
This question is from RN ATI Pediatric Nursing~2023 B which contains 69 questions.
More Questions from This Exam
A nurse in the emergency department is preparing to discharge a 3-year- old child.
Answer Choices:
A nurse is caring for an adolescent who is admitted with a vaso-occlusive crisis.
Answer Choices:
A nurse is teaching the guardian of a newborn about how to prepare their 3-year-old child to meet their new sibling. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
Answer Choices:
A nurse is caring for a child who has impetigo contagiosa that developed in the hospital. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Answer Choices:
Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Pediatrics
- Answer Choices: 5