NURS 355
Nursing Care of
Children
COMPLETED
EXAM
2024
,1. What is the most common cause of acute otitis media (AOM) in children? How would you
diagnose and treat it?
- The most common cause of AOM is bacterial infection, usually by Streptococcus pneumoniae,
Haemophilus influenzae, or Moraxella catarrhalis. AOM can be diagnosed by examining the
tympanic membrane for signs of inflammation, such as redness, bulging, or loss of light
reflex. Treatment options include analgesics, antipyretics, and antibiotics if the infection is
severe or persistent.
2. What are the main features of Kawasaki disease? What are the potential complications and
how can they be prevented?
- Kawasaki disease is a systemic vasculitis that affects children under 5 years old. It is
characterized by fever, rash, conjunctivitis, lymphadenopathy, oral mucosal changes, and
extremity edema. The main complication is coronary artery aneurysm, which can lead to
myocardial infarction or sudden death. The risk of aneurysm can be reduced by administering
intravenous immunoglobulin and aspirin within 10 days of onset.
3. What are the indications for performing a lumbar puncture in a child with suspected
meningitis? What are the contraindications and complications?
- A lumbar puncture is indicated to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for culture, gram stain, cell
count, glucose, and protein levels. It can help confirm the diagnosis of meningitis and
identify the causative organism. Contraindications include increased intracranial pressure,
coagulopathy, skin infection at the puncture site, or spinal deformity. Complications include
headache, bleeding, infection, nerve damage, or herniation.
4. What are the common causes of diarrhea in children? How would you assess and manage
dehydration?
- The common causes of diarrhea in children are viral infections (such as rotavirus or
norovirus), bacterial infections (such as Escherichia coli or Salmonella), parasitic infections
(such as Giardia or Cryptosporidium), or food intolerance (such as lactose or gluten).
Dehydration can be assessed by measuring weight loss, urine output, skin turgor, mucous
membranes, capillary refill, and vital signs. Management of dehydration depends on the
severity and may include oral rehydration solution, intravenous fluids, or hospitalization.
,5. What are the signs and symptoms of asthma in children? How would you classify the severity
and control of asthma?
- The signs and symptoms of asthma in children include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness,
dyspnea, and exercise intolerance. The severity and control of asthma can be classified by
using the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) guidelines, which
consider the frequency and intensity of symptoms, lung function, and medication use.
Asthma can be classified as intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, or severe
persistent; and as well controlled, not well controlled, or very poorly controlled.
6. What are the risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)? What are some preventive
measures that can reduce the risk of SIDS?
- The risk factors for SIDS include prematurity, low birth weight, male sex, maternal smoking
during pregnancy or after birth, prone or side sleeping position, soft bedding or overheating,
co-sleeping with parents or siblings, and lack of breastfeeding or immunization. Some
preventive measures that can reduce the risk of SIDS include placing the infant on their back
to sleep on a firm surface with no pillows or blankets; avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke;
keeping the room temperature comfortable; sharing a room but not a bed with the infant;
breastfeeding exclusively for at least 6 months; and following the recommended
immunization schedule.
What are the main developmental milestones for infants in the first year of life? How can nurses
assess and support these milestones?
- The main developmental milestones for infants in the first year of life include physical,
cognitive, social and emotional domains. Some examples are: rolling over, sitting up,
crawling, walking, grasping objects, babbling, saying first words, recognizing faces, smiling,
laughing, showing emotions and attachment. Nurses can assess these milestones by
observing the infant's behavior, asking the parents or caregivers about their progress, and
using standardized tools such as the Denver Developmental Screening Test. Nurses can
support these milestones by providing a safe and stimulating environment, encouraging
exploration and play, responding to the infant's cues and needs, and promoting bonding and
attachment with the parents or caregivers.
What are some common health problems or risks for infants and how can they be prevented or
treated?
- Some common health problems or risks for infants are: infections (such as respiratory, ear,
urinary tract or gastrointestinal), allergies (such as food or environmental), injuries (such as
falls, burns or poisoning), congenital anomalies (such as heart defects or cleft lip/palate),
failure to thrive (such as poor growth or weight gain), sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS),
, and shaken baby syndrome. Nurses can prevent or treat these problems by educating the
parents or caregivers about proper hygiene, immunization, nutrition, safety measures, signs
and symptoms of illness, and when to seek medical attention. Nurses can also provide
screening, diagnosis, treatment and referral services for infants with health problems.
What are the main developmental tasks for toddlers (1-3 years) and preschoolers (3-5 years)?
How can nurses assess and support these tasks?
- The main developmental tasks for toddlers and preschoolers are: autonomy (such as self-
control, independence and self-care), initiative (such as curiosity, creativity and problem-
solving), identity (such as self-concept, self-esteem and gender roles), and socialization (such
as peer relationships, cooperation and moral values). Nurses can assess these tasks by
observing the child's behavior, asking the parents or caregivers about their development, and
using standardized tools such as the Ages and Stages Questionnaire. Nurses can support these
tasks by providing a safe and supportive environment, encouraging exploration and learning,
praising and rewarding positive behavior, setting limits and boundaries, and facilitating
social interaction and communication.
What are some common health problems or risks for toddlers and preschoolers and how can they
be prevented or treated?
- Some common health problems or risks for toddlers and preschoolers are: infections (such as
respiratory, ear, skin or gastrointestinal), allergies (such as food or environmental), injuries
(such as falls, cuts or bruises), dental caries (such as tooth decay or cavities), obesity (such as
excessive weight gain or body mass index), behavioral problems (such as tantrums,
aggression or anxiety), and developmental delays (such as speech, language or motor skills).
Nurses can prevent or treat these problems by educating the parents or caregivers about
proper hygiene, immunization,
nutrition, oral health, safety measures,
signs and symptoms of illness,
and when to seek medical attention.
Nurses can also provide screening,
diagnosis,
treatment
and referral services
for children with health problems.
. What are the main developmental stages for school-age children (6-12 years) and adolescents
(13-18 years)? How can nurses assess and support these stages?
- The main developmental stages for school-age children and adolescents are: industry (such as
competence,
achievement