NCLEX Pediatric Drugs
The parent of a child with hemophilia asks the nurse, "If my son hurts himself, is it all
right if I give him two baby aspirins?" What is the best response by the nurse?
A. "You seem concerned about giving drugs to your child."
B. "It's all right to give him baby aspirin when he hurts himself."
C. "Aspirin may cause more bleeding. Give him acetaminophen instead."
D. "He should be given acetaminophen every day. It'll prevent bleeding." - Answer
Correct
3 "Aspirin may cause more bleeding. Give him acetaminophen instead."
Methylphenidate has been prescribed for a 7-year-old child with attention deficit-
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and is to be taken with meals. What rationale does the
nurse provide for the parents about the timing of medication administration?
A. Ritalin depresses the appetite.
B.This will ensure proper absorption.
C. It is an oral mucous membrane irritant.
D. Children tend to forget to take it before meals. - Answer A. Ritalin depresses the
appetite.
A side effect of methylphenidate is anorexia; it should be given during or immediately
after breakfast. The absorption rate is not affected by the timing of when it is given. Oral
mucous membrane irritation is not a side effect of methylphenidate. In a child of this age
the parents are responsible for administering medications.
Test-Taking Tip: Do not read too much into the question or worry that it is a "trick." If
you have nursing experience, ask yourself how a classmate who is inexperienced would
answer this question from only the information provided in the textbooks or given in the
lectures.
A school nurse teaches a 13-year-old child with hay fever that the prescribed
phenylephrine nasal spray must be used exactly as directed. What complication may
occur if the nasal spray is used more frequently or longer than recommended?
A. Tinnitus
B. Nasal polyps
C. Bleeding tendencies
D. Increased nasal congestion - Answer D. Increased nasal congestion
A 6-year-old child is experiencing tonic-clonic seizures, and carbamazepine 15
mg/kg/day divided equally into two doses is prescribed. The child weighs 44 lb (20 kg).
The medication available is carbamazepine suspension 100 mg/5 mL. How many
milliliters should the nurse administer in one dose? Record your answer using one
decimal place. ___ mL - Answer 7.5
A nurse is caring for a 3-month-old infant with severe diarrhea following antibiotic
therapy. After the effects of dehydration are stabilized, the healthcare provider
,NCLEX Pediatric Drugs
prescribes Lactobacillus granules. What explanation does the nurse give to the infant's
parents about the reason for giving lactobacilli?
A. They diminish the inflammatory mucosal edema.
B. The discomfort caused by gastric hyperacidity is lessened.
C. They relieve the pain caused by gas in the gastrointestinal tract.
D. The flora that inhabit a healthy gastrointestinal tract must be recolonized. - Answer D.
The flora that inhabit a healthy gastrointestinal tract must be recolonized.
An adolescent who has been prescribed prednisone and vincristine for leukemia tells
the nurse that he is very constipated. What should the nurse cite as the probable cause
of the constipation?
A. It is a side effect of the vincristine.
B. The spleen is compressing the bowel.
C. It is a toxic effect from the prednisone.
D. The leukemic mass is obstructing the bowel. - Answer A. It is a side effect of the
vincristine.
According to the Healthcare Personnel Vaccination Recommendations, what
meningococcal conjugate vaccine dose should a nurse administer to a 12-year-old with
an HIV infection?
A. Single initial dose and a booster dose 3 years later
B. Single initial dose and a booster dose 5 years later
C. Single initial dose and a booster dose 7 years later
D. Two initial doses and a booster dose at 16 years old - Answer D. Two initial doses
and a booster dose at 16 years old
A 12-year-old with HIV would require two primary meningococcal conjugate vaccine
delivered two months apart initially and a booster dose at the age of 16 years old. The
client would require two initial doses, not a single initial dose, and a booster at 16 years
old, not 3, 5, or 7 years later.
Test-Taking Tip: Read the question carefully before looking at the answers: (1)
Determine what the question is really asking; look for key words; (2) Read each answer
thoroughly and see if it completely covers the material asked by the question; (3)
Narrow the choices by immediately eliminating answers you know are incorrect.
Which adverse effect on pediatric clients is associated with nalidixic acid?
A. Kernicterus
B. Gray syndrome
C. Tendon rupture
D. Cartilage erosion - Answer D. Cartilage erosion
, NCLEX Pediatric Drugs
A 5-month-old infant is admitted with a diagnosis of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
infection. The infant's condition suddenly deteriorates, and a dose of epinephrine is
prescribed to relieve bronchospasm. For what side effect of the medication should the
nurse assess the infant?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Respiratory arrest
D. Central nervous system depression - Answer A. Tachycardia
Which anesthetic drug is commonly used for short procedures on pediatric clients?
A. Fentanyl
B. Morphine
C. Meperidine
D. Hydromorphone - Answer A. Fentanyl
A 2-year-old boy with hemophilia A is to start receiving prophylactic intravenous
infusions of the recombinant form of factor VIII three times a week. The nurse will
instruct the parents to administer the factor at what time on the designated days?
A. At bedtime
B. After lunch
C. Before dinner
D. Upon awakening - Answer D. Upon awakening
A 6-year-old child who has undergone abdominal surgery complains of incisional pain.
The nurse administers the prescribed acetaminophen. The mother asks the nurse why
her child isn't being given ibuprofen. How will the nurse respond?
A. "It could prolong bleeding time."
B. "It's contraindicated for young children."
C. "It can suppress the healing of the incision."
D. "It becomes ineffective when given for long periods." - Answer A. "It could prolong
bleeding time."
A nurse is teaching parents of toddlers about why children receiving specific
medications should not receive varicella vaccines. Which medication will be included in
the discussion?
A. Insulin
B. Steroids
C. Antibiotics
D. Anticonvulsants - Answer B. Steroids
The parent of a child with hemophilia asks the nurse, "If my son hurts himself, is it all
right if I give him two baby aspirins?" What is the best response by the nurse?
A. "You seem concerned about giving drugs to your child."
B. "It's all right to give him baby aspirin when he hurts himself."
C. "Aspirin may cause more bleeding. Give him acetaminophen instead."
D. "He should be given acetaminophen every day. It'll prevent bleeding." - Answer
Correct
3 "Aspirin may cause more bleeding. Give him acetaminophen instead."
Methylphenidate has been prescribed for a 7-year-old child with attention deficit-
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and is to be taken with meals. What rationale does the
nurse provide for the parents about the timing of medication administration?
A. Ritalin depresses the appetite.
B.This will ensure proper absorption.
C. It is an oral mucous membrane irritant.
D. Children tend to forget to take it before meals. - Answer A. Ritalin depresses the
appetite.
A side effect of methylphenidate is anorexia; it should be given during or immediately
after breakfast. The absorption rate is not affected by the timing of when it is given. Oral
mucous membrane irritation is not a side effect of methylphenidate. In a child of this age
the parents are responsible for administering medications.
Test-Taking Tip: Do not read too much into the question or worry that it is a "trick." If
you have nursing experience, ask yourself how a classmate who is inexperienced would
answer this question from only the information provided in the textbooks or given in the
lectures.
A school nurse teaches a 13-year-old child with hay fever that the prescribed
phenylephrine nasal spray must be used exactly as directed. What complication may
occur if the nasal spray is used more frequently or longer than recommended?
A. Tinnitus
B. Nasal polyps
C. Bleeding tendencies
D. Increased nasal congestion - Answer D. Increased nasal congestion
A 6-year-old child is experiencing tonic-clonic seizures, and carbamazepine 15
mg/kg/day divided equally into two doses is prescribed. The child weighs 44 lb (20 kg).
The medication available is carbamazepine suspension 100 mg/5 mL. How many
milliliters should the nurse administer in one dose? Record your answer using one
decimal place. ___ mL - Answer 7.5
A nurse is caring for a 3-month-old infant with severe diarrhea following antibiotic
therapy. After the effects of dehydration are stabilized, the healthcare provider
,NCLEX Pediatric Drugs
prescribes Lactobacillus granules. What explanation does the nurse give to the infant's
parents about the reason for giving lactobacilli?
A. They diminish the inflammatory mucosal edema.
B. The discomfort caused by gastric hyperacidity is lessened.
C. They relieve the pain caused by gas in the gastrointestinal tract.
D. The flora that inhabit a healthy gastrointestinal tract must be recolonized. - Answer D.
The flora that inhabit a healthy gastrointestinal tract must be recolonized.
An adolescent who has been prescribed prednisone and vincristine for leukemia tells
the nurse that he is very constipated. What should the nurse cite as the probable cause
of the constipation?
A. It is a side effect of the vincristine.
B. The spleen is compressing the bowel.
C. It is a toxic effect from the prednisone.
D. The leukemic mass is obstructing the bowel. - Answer A. It is a side effect of the
vincristine.
According to the Healthcare Personnel Vaccination Recommendations, what
meningococcal conjugate vaccine dose should a nurse administer to a 12-year-old with
an HIV infection?
A. Single initial dose and a booster dose 3 years later
B. Single initial dose and a booster dose 5 years later
C. Single initial dose and a booster dose 7 years later
D. Two initial doses and a booster dose at 16 years old - Answer D. Two initial doses
and a booster dose at 16 years old
A 12-year-old with HIV would require two primary meningococcal conjugate vaccine
delivered two months apart initially and a booster dose at the age of 16 years old. The
client would require two initial doses, not a single initial dose, and a booster at 16 years
old, not 3, 5, or 7 years later.
Test-Taking Tip: Read the question carefully before looking at the answers: (1)
Determine what the question is really asking; look for key words; (2) Read each answer
thoroughly and see if it completely covers the material asked by the question; (3)
Narrow the choices by immediately eliminating answers you know are incorrect.
Which adverse effect on pediatric clients is associated with nalidixic acid?
A. Kernicterus
B. Gray syndrome
C. Tendon rupture
D. Cartilage erosion - Answer D. Cartilage erosion
, NCLEX Pediatric Drugs
A 5-month-old infant is admitted with a diagnosis of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
infection. The infant's condition suddenly deteriorates, and a dose of epinephrine is
prescribed to relieve bronchospasm. For what side effect of the medication should the
nurse assess the infant?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Respiratory arrest
D. Central nervous system depression - Answer A. Tachycardia
Which anesthetic drug is commonly used for short procedures on pediatric clients?
A. Fentanyl
B. Morphine
C. Meperidine
D. Hydromorphone - Answer A. Fentanyl
A 2-year-old boy with hemophilia A is to start receiving prophylactic intravenous
infusions of the recombinant form of factor VIII three times a week. The nurse will
instruct the parents to administer the factor at what time on the designated days?
A. At bedtime
B. After lunch
C. Before dinner
D. Upon awakening - Answer D. Upon awakening
A 6-year-old child who has undergone abdominal surgery complains of incisional pain.
The nurse administers the prescribed acetaminophen. The mother asks the nurse why
her child isn't being given ibuprofen. How will the nurse respond?
A. "It could prolong bleeding time."
B. "It's contraindicated for young children."
C. "It can suppress the healing of the incision."
D. "It becomes ineffective when given for long periods." - Answer A. "It could prolong
bleeding time."
A nurse is teaching parents of toddlers about why children receiving specific
medications should not receive varicella vaccines. Which medication will be included in
the discussion?
A. Insulin
B. Steroids
C. Antibiotics
D. Anticonvulsants - Answer B. Steroids
