CCRN Pediatric
Practice Exam with
100% correct answers.
To promote effective grieving in a 6-year-old sibling following the death of an
infant, the nurse should:
A) Recommend that the sibling not attend the infant's memorial service
B) Encourage the parents to minimize their expression of grief with the sibling
C) Explain to the sibling that the infant went to heaven
D) Explain to the sibling that thoughts and wishes did not cause the infant's death -
correct answer✔️✔️Answer: D) Explain to the sibling that thoughts and wishes
did not cause the infant's death: At age 6, children may take words literally and
because of their egocentrism, they believe that thoughts are all-powerful. They
may truly believe they caused the death of their sibling. A simple, honest
explanation of why the sibling died is indicated. This intervention is consistent
with Caring Processes.
A) Recommend that the sibling not attend the infant's memorial service: This
intervention is not a solution to the problem and will not promote effective
grieving for the sibling. It is not consistent with Caring Processes.
B) Encourage the parents to minimize their expression of grief with the sibling:
This intervention will lead to ineffective grieving for the sibling and is not
consistent with Caring Processes
C) Explain to the sibling that the infant went to heaven: This intervention will not
address the sibling's problem
A 5-year-old with a history of congenital hydrocephalus and VP shunt placement
at four weeks of age is admitted with increased somnolence, decreased appetite,
and increased complaints of headache. This morning the child vomited twice. The
nurse should anticipate:
A) The physician ordering lumbar puncture and blood and urine cultures
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B) the patient having a CT scan followed by possible shunt revision
C) Administering mannitol or hypertonic saline
D) Administering phenytoin (Dilantin) or fosphenytoin (Cerebyx) - correct
answer✔️✔️Answer: B) The patient having a CT scan followed by possible shunt
revision: This patient is demonstrating signs of increased intracranial pressure. The
most likely etiology is malfunction of the VP shunt as a result of blockage or
disconnection, which is particularly likely over time as the child grows. The
definitive diagnosis is made by a CT scan and a shunt series. Surgical intervention
for a shunt revision would be indicated.
A) The physician ordering lumbar puncture and blood and urine cultures: These
interventions will not address the most likely primary problem, which is suspected
VP shunt malfunction. Additionally, lumbar puncture is contraindicated in the
presence of increased intracranial pressure, because downward herniation of the
brainstem can occur.
C) Administering mannitol or hypertonic saline: These medication are indicated
for the medical management of increased intracranial pressure, of which this
patient has symptoms. However, they will not address the most likely primary
problem, which is suspected VP shunt malfunction.
D) Administering phenytoin (Dilantin) or fosphenytoin (Cerebyx): These
medications are indicated for seizure management and would not address the
patient's most likely primary problem, which is suspected increased intracranial
pressure as a result of VP shunt malfunction
An adolescent trauma patient is complaining of left upper quadrant abdominal pain
radiating to the left shoulder. Blood pressure has dropped to 80/50. Which
condition is most likely?
A) Small Bowel Injury
B) Cardiac Contusion
C) Splenic Laceration
D) Pulmonary Embolism - correct answer✔️✔️Answer: C) Splenic laceration:
Kehr's sign, which is referred pain to the left shoulder during compression of the
left upper abdominal quadrant, is an indication of splenic injury. Additional
symptoms include tachycardia, hypotension, and leukocytosis
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A) Small bowel injury: Signs of small bowel injury may include progressive
abdominal distension, not referred left shoulder pain.
B) Cardiac Contusion: Signs of cardiac contusion include chest pain, arrhythmias,
and other indicators of myocardial dysfunction, such as elevated cardiac
isoenzymes. Upper quadrant abdominal pain with radiation to the left shoulder is
not consistent with a cardiac contusion
D) Pulmonary Embolism: Symptoms of pulmonary embolism include chest pain
and dyspnea on exertion, not left shoulder pain
An infant has been admitted with encephalitis. The nurse should first assess the
patient's:
A) Pupillary response
B) Blood glucose level
C) Level of consciousness
D) Airway Patency - correct answer✔️✔️Answer: D) Airway Patency: The first
priority after admitting an infant with encephalitis is to assess the patient's ability
to maintain airway patency. Such patients can develop rapid neurologic
deterioration, and the nurse must be prepared to support the airway, oxygenation,
and ventilation as needed.
A) Pupillary Response: The infant with encephalitis should be monitored for
changes in neurologic status, including pupillary response. However, assessing the
patient;s ability to maintain airway patency is the first priority.
B) Blood Glucose Level: The infant with encephalitis will need blood glucose
levels monitored, especially if unable to maintain adequate oral intake. However,
assessing the patient's ability to maintain airway patency is the first priority.
C) Level of consciousness: The infant with encephalitis should be monitored for
changes in neurologic status, including assessment of the level of consciousness.
However, assessing the patient's ability to maintain airway patency is the first
priority.
The pediatric patient with suspected asphyxia from smoke inhalation will typically
present with:
A) Tachypnea
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B) Cyanosis
C) Confusion
D) Hypotension - correct answer✔️✔️Answer: C) Confusion: The patient with
asphyxia from smoke inhalation will experience cerebral hypoxemia and
demonstrate symptoms of neurologic dysfunction, including confusion
A) Tachypnea: While the patient with smoke inhalation may experience tachypnea
as a result of damage to the lung parenchyma, this symptoms is not specific to
asphyxia
B) Cyanosis: While the patient with smoke inhalation may experience cyanosis as
a result of damage to the lung parenchyma, this symptoms is not specific to
asphyxia
D) Hypotension: While the patient with smoke inhalation and a burn injury may
demonstrate hypotension from fluid shifts, this symptoms is not specific to
asphyxia
An acutely ill infant is born to a Vietnamese family. The father asks few questions
about the infant's condition, and the mother asks none. Both parents appear to be
proficient in English. Which of the following is the most useful resource for a
nurse caring for this infant?
A) Classes conducted by the primary nurse as the need arises
B) An interpreter who is proficient in the parents' language
C) Information about the cultural backgrounds represented in the community
D) Ongoing classes addressing the cultural needs of the community - correct
answer✔️✔️Answer: B) An interpreter who is proficient in the parents' language:
This intervention is consistent with Response to Diversity. Providing an interpreter
may facilitate communication by the parents. Trained interpreters can improve
outcomes by helping to ensure effective communication between the healthcare
team and the patient/family
A) Classes conducted by the primary nurse as the need arises: This intervention is
not consistent with Response to Diversity. It will not help in this situation. While
addressing needs as they arise is important, the parents are not communicating
these needs at present.
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