Sherpath: HEENT Conditions Questions and
Answers
The nurse notices edema on the head of the newborn. What initial action should the nurse take?
The nurse should educate the parents on the cause of the issue to eliminate fear.
The nurse should palpate the head closely to see if the edema crosses the suture lines.
The nurse should assess the child for jaundice because of the breakdown of the red blood cells.
The nurse should discuss the need of the infant to be placed on the abdomen several times a day.
The nurse should palpate the head closely to see if the edema crosses the suture lines.
The nurse can determine if the edema is from caput succedaneum if it crosses the suture line or from
cephalhematoma if it does not cross the suture lines.
The nurse is teaching the parents of a newborn about massaging a blocked lacrimal duct. What
information should the nurse include?
Select all that apply.
Crusting of the eye can be removed with a warm, damp cloth.
Any drainage that is seen when massaging should be yellow or green.
Hands should be washed thoroughly before performing the massage.
Massage the lacrimal duct down the side of the nasal bone to properly ensure drainage.
Place the index finger over the lacrimal duct and milk the duct in an upward motion.
Hands should be washed thoroughly before performing the massage.
Washing hands before touching the infant's eyes can help prevent the introduction of infection.
Place the index finger over the lacrimal duct and milk the duct in an upward motion.
Placing the index finger over the lacrimal duct is the correct procedure for massaging a lacrimal duct
and provides milking and opening of the duct.
What is the primary rationale for the nurse encouraging parents to quickly soothe a child who is
recovering from eye surgery?
Crying can increase intraocular pressure and damage the eye.
Children are uncomfortable after eye surgery and need frequent reassurance.
Patching of the eye can be scary and cause frustration in the child.
Being upset after surgery can delay the healing and promote infection.
Crying can increase intraocular pressure and damage the eye.
The nurse needs to assess and try to prevent any increase in intraocular pressure to prevent damage
to the eye.
Which patient scenario reflects the appropriate nurse-patient interaction for communicating
effectively with a child with hearing loss?
Select all that apply.
, ELIMINATE background NOISE.
LOOK DIRECTLY into the child's face.
Speak CLEARLY and slightly SLOWER than usual.
Speak louder to the child to enhance hearing.
Have the child's COMPLETE ATTENTION before beginning to speak.
Eliminate background noise.
Background noise can make it difficult for the child to filter what is being said and what is going on in
the background. Elimination of this noise enhances communication.
Look directly into the child's face.
This can enhance lip reading because the child can see the nurse's face more directly.
Speak clearly and slightly slower than usual.
This can enhance lip reading and allow easier understanding of what is said.
Have the child's complete attention before beginning to speak.
Having the child's attention can enhance lip reading.
The parents of an 8-year-old with conjunctivitis want to know how to keep their other four children
from contracting the infection. What should the nurse emphasize when providing education?
Handwashing and not sharing of anything that comes into contact with the infected eye.
The child should be isolated for 24 hours following administration of antibiotics.
Have the other children use a few doses of the antibiotics to prevent contracting the infection.
No special precautions are needed because the child has started antibiotics and conjunctivitis is not
often contagious.
Handwashing and not sharing of anything that comes into contact with the infected eye.
These actions are the primary ways that the spread of infection can be eliminated in the home.
The parents of a 1-year-old bring their child into the primary care clinic for evaluation. The child has
not been sleeping, is irritable, and has a fever. The nurse notes that the child is pulling at the left ear
and sees purulent drainage from the left ear. The symptoms have been present for four days. The
nurse anticipates what treatment?
Administration of numbing ear drops
Initiation of oral amoxicillin to treat the ear infection
Treatment of the fever with a watch and wait for antibiotics
The placement of a tympanostomy tube to remove the purulent drainage
Initiation of oral amoxicillin to treat the ear infection
The child has all the symptoms of acute otitis media and would require antibiotics because of the
severity and amount of time the symptoms have been present.
Answers
The nurse notices edema on the head of the newborn. What initial action should the nurse take?
The nurse should educate the parents on the cause of the issue to eliminate fear.
The nurse should palpate the head closely to see if the edema crosses the suture lines.
The nurse should assess the child for jaundice because of the breakdown of the red blood cells.
The nurse should discuss the need of the infant to be placed on the abdomen several times a day.
The nurse should palpate the head closely to see if the edema crosses the suture lines.
The nurse can determine if the edema is from caput succedaneum if it crosses the suture line or from
cephalhematoma if it does not cross the suture lines.
The nurse is teaching the parents of a newborn about massaging a blocked lacrimal duct. What
information should the nurse include?
Select all that apply.
Crusting of the eye can be removed with a warm, damp cloth.
Any drainage that is seen when massaging should be yellow or green.
Hands should be washed thoroughly before performing the massage.
Massage the lacrimal duct down the side of the nasal bone to properly ensure drainage.
Place the index finger over the lacrimal duct and milk the duct in an upward motion.
Hands should be washed thoroughly before performing the massage.
Washing hands before touching the infant's eyes can help prevent the introduction of infection.
Place the index finger over the lacrimal duct and milk the duct in an upward motion.
Placing the index finger over the lacrimal duct is the correct procedure for massaging a lacrimal duct
and provides milking and opening of the duct.
What is the primary rationale for the nurse encouraging parents to quickly soothe a child who is
recovering from eye surgery?
Crying can increase intraocular pressure and damage the eye.
Children are uncomfortable after eye surgery and need frequent reassurance.
Patching of the eye can be scary and cause frustration in the child.
Being upset after surgery can delay the healing and promote infection.
Crying can increase intraocular pressure and damage the eye.
The nurse needs to assess and try to prevent any increase in intraocular pressure to prevent damage
to the eye.
Which patient scenario reflects the appropriate nurse-patient interaction for communicating
effectively with a child with hearing loss?
Select all that apply.
, ELIMINATE background NOISE.
LOOK DIRECTLY into the child's face.
Speak CLEARLY and slightly SLOWER than usual.
Speak louder to the child to enhance hearing.
Have the child's COMPLETE ATTENTION before beginning to speak.
Eliminate background noise.
Background noise can make it difficult for the child to filter what is being said and what is going on in
the background. Elimination of this noise enhances communication.
Look directly into the child's face.
This can enhance lip reading because the child can see the nurse's face more directly.
Speak clearly and slightly slower than usual.
This can enhance lip reading and allow easier understanding of what is said.
Have the child's complete attention before beginning to speak.
Having the child's attention can enhance lip reading.
The parents of an 8-year-old with conjunctivitis want to know how to keep their other four children
from contracting the infection. What should the nurse emphasize when providing education?
Handwashing and not sharing of anything that comes into contact with the infected eye.
The child should be isolated for 24 hours following administration of antibiotics.
Have the other children use a few doses of the antibiotics to prevent contracting the infection.
No special precautions are needed because the child has started antibiotics and conjunctivitis is not
often contagious.
Handwashing and not sharing of anything that comes into contact with the infected eye.
These actions are the primary ways that the spread of infection can be eliminated in the home.
The parents of a 1-year-old bring their child into the primary care clinic for evaluation. The child has
not been sleeping, is irritable, and has a fever. The nurse notes that the child is pulling at the left ear
and sees purulent drainage from the left ear. The symptoms have been present for four days. The
nurse anticipates what treatment?
Administration of numbing ear drops
Initiation of oral amoxicillin to treat the ear infection
Treatment of the fever with a watch and wait for antibiotics
The placement of a tympanostomy tube to remove the purulent drainage
Initiation of oral amoxicillin to treat the ear infection
The child has all the symptoms of acute otitis media and would require antibiotics because of the
severity and amount of time the symptoms have been present.
