×

Quiz Session - Attempts With Random Questions

PNCB CPN Exam Questions

Page 6 of 20

101.

During a routine visit, what should a nurse recommend to the parents of a newborn regarding physical activity?

  • Encourage supervised tummy time several times a day.

  • Start using a walker by 6 months.

  • Enroll the child in infant physical therapy to optimize activity.

  • Limit physical activity to avoid overstimulation.

Correct answer: Encourage supervised tummy time several times a day.

Tummy time is crucial for developing head, neck, and shoulder muscles and enhancing motor skills. Tummy time also helps prevent positional plagiocephaly (flat spots on the head).

Walkers are discouraged by pediatricians, as they can lead to accidents and do not support proper walking skills development. Routine infant physical therapy is not necessary for typically developing newborns and should be reserved for those with specific medical indications. Limiting physical activity is not advisable; active play is essential for development even in infancy.

102.

A nurse is educating a family about home care for their child recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. What is the most important information to include?

  • How to recognize and treat symptoms of hypoglycemia

  • The history and epidemiology of diabetes

  • Dietary misconception about diabetes

  • Potential complications of diabetes

Correct answer: How to recognize and treat symptoms of hypoglycemia

Knowledge of hypoglycemia symptoms and their treatment is essential for managing type 1 diabetes safely at home. Recognizing these symptoms allows for prompt and effective intervention, which is critical to preventing severe complications.

Detailed historical or epidemiological information does not directly empower the family to manage daily medical needs. Dietary misconceptions are worth addressing, but they do not have the immediate life-saving relevance that understanding hypoglycemia does. Discussing potential complications is important for long-term management, but knowing how to handle acute hypoglycemic episodes is more important for immediate safety.

103.

A pediatric nurse notices a single parent is struggling with managing time for multiple children's health appointments. What strategy could best support the parent?

  • Consolidate appointments on the same day when possible

  • Schedule all appointments on different days to focus on each child’s individual needs

  • Recommend the parent have someone babysit the children who don’t have appointments

  • Decrease the frequency of appointments to lessen the burden

Correct answer: Consolidate appointments on the same day when possible

Consolidating appointments can significantly reduce the logistical burden on the parent, making it more feasible to manage healthcare for multiple children, which supports adherence to recommended care schedules.

Scheduling appointments on different days increases the complexity of managing multiple children’s health needs and can add unnecessary stress and logistical challenges for the parent. Recommending a babysitter does not address the underlying issue of scheduling complexity and may introduce additional logistical and financial burdens. Decreasing the frequency of appointments may adversely affect the children’s health by reducing necessary care, which could lead to poorer health outcomes.

104.

A nurse is educating a family on supporting their child who has become withdrawn after the family relocated. What is the best strategy the nurse can recommend?

  • Encourage the family to facilitate discussions about the child’s feelings and fears

  • Advise the family to give the child space, as the behavior will resolve over time

  • Suggest keeping the child busy with various new activities and hobbies

  • Recommend that the child be punished for antisocial behavior to correct it

Correct answer: Encourage the family to facilitate discussions about the child’s feelings and fears

Facilitating discussions about the child's feelings and fears allows for open communication and emotional support, helping the child express and process their emotions related to the move. This approach promotes understanding and adjustment by acknowledging the child's experiences and providing reassurance. 

Giving the child space without proactive support can lead to isolation and unaddressed anxiety, which may worsen their adjustment to the new environment. Assuming that the behavior will resolve on its own is not correct, as the child will likely require support and guidance to cope with the change in a healthy way. Keeping the child busy with activities does not directly address their emotional needs or fears, and may overwhelm them if not balanced with emotional support. Punishing the child for antisocial behavior does not address the underlying emotional issues related to the move and can exacerbate feelings of isolation and distress.

105.

A school nurse observes that a student may be under the influence of narcotics. What is the most appropriate first step?

  • Have a confidential conversation with the student about drug use

  • Conduct an immediate drug test

  • Notify the police

  • Discuss the observation with the student’s parents

Correct answer: Have a confidential conversation with the student about drug use

Having a confidential conversation with the student provides a safe space to discuss drug use concerns without immediate escalation, fostering trust and potentially encouraging the student to seek help. This approach respects the student's privacy while addressing potential health risks.

Conducting an immediate drug test can feel invasive and may damage trust between the student and the school staff, potentially leading to resistance rather than cooperation. Notifying the police is an extreme step that can have significant legal and psychological repercussions for the student without addressing underlying issues or providing support. Discussing the observation with the student’s parents without first understanding the situation from the student’s perspective could breach confidentiality and may not address the issue effectively.

106.

A pediatric nurse is evaluating a 10-year-old child with newly diagnosed juvenile arthritis. The nurse notices she seems unsure about why exercise is important. How should the nurse address the child's understanding of her condition and the importance of physical activity?

  • Explain the benefits of exercise for arthritis and ask the child to summarize the explanation

  • Tell the child to trust the medical professionals =

  • Inform the child that she will understand better as she gets older

  • Provide teaching to the child’s parents to convey later in a way that she understands

Correct answer: Explain the benefits of exercise for arthritis and ask the child to summarize the explanation

Explaining the benefits of exercise for managing juvenile arthritis and then having the child summarize ensures understanding and engagement. This method checks both comprehension and retention, which is vital for effective self-management.

Telling the child to trust medical professionals does not enhance their understanding of how exercise impacts their condition. Suggesting that the child will understand when she’s older does not help her manage this condition now and may lead to disengagement. Providing information only to the parents might miss addressing the child’s direct concerns and questions about her health and lead to the child being less involved in their care.

107.

A nurse educating a family living in an urban environment with high noise levels should emphasize which of the following?

  • Using sound-proofing materials in the child's bedroom

  • The importance of using hearing protection during outdoor activities in the city

  • The benefits of noise as a way to stimulate cognitive development

  • Using white noise machines at night to mask outdoor noise

Correct answer: Using sound-proofing materials in the child's bedroom

Using sound-proofing materials in a child's bedroom can significantly reduce noise exposure, which is beneficial for sleep quality and overall stress reduction in noisy urban environments. This method directly mitigates the impact of environmental noise on the child.

Using hearing protection during outdoor activities might be helpful in specific scenarios but is less practical as a constant solution. It also does not address noise exposure at home, where children spend a significant amount of time. Promoting the benefits of noise for cognitive development is misleading and unsupported by evidence. High noise levels are generally detrimental to both cognitive and physical health. Using white noise machines may help mask outdoor noise, but it is a less effective strategy compared to soundproofing, which reduces noise levels rather than masking them with another sound.

108.

The nurse is discussing fever management with the parents of a 6-year-old. Which information is essential to include in the education?

  • How to measure temperature accurately

  • A list of all potential causes of fever

  • How to manage febrile seizures

  • Comparison of the efficacy of different thermometer brands

Correct answer: How to measure temperature accurately

Accurate temperature measurement is essential for determining the severity of a fever and deciding on further actions, such as medication or medical consultation. This skill is directly relevant to effective fever management at home.

Listing all possible causes of fever can be overwhelming and is less actionable than knowing how to assess and respond to the fever itself. Managing febrile seizures is important but is a specific scenario that may not apply to all fevers and is not as important as the need for accurate temperature measurement. Comparing thermometer brands does not equip parents with the essential skill of accurately measuring temperature.

109.

A parent expresses concern about their 15-month-old child's picky eating habits. What is the nurse's best response?

  • Offer a variety of foods and respect the child’s appetite.

  • Recommend supplementing the diet with pediatric multivitamin gummies.

  • Suggest enforcing a strict meal schedule with penalties for uneaten food.

  • Introduce high-calorie fast foods to ensure sufficient caloric intake.

Correct answer: Offer a variety of foods and respect the child’s appetite.

Encouraging a variety of foods exposes the child to different nutrients and flavors, promoting healthy eating habits. Respecting the child’s appetite helps avoid power struggles and supports self-regulation skills.

Supplementing a toddler's diet routinely with multivitamins is not necessary if they are eating a varied diet unless advised by a healthcare provider. Enforcing strict meal schedules with penalties can create negative associations with food and eating, potentially leading to eating disorders or aversions. Suggesting high-calorie fast foods encourages poor eating habits and may lead to nutritional imbalances and obesity.

110.

During a wellness visit, a nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child. What assessment would provide the most relevant information about the child's long-term nutritional status?

  • Height for age

  • Current body weight

  • Skin turgor

  • Head circumference

Correct answer: Height for age

Assessing height for age is the most relevant measure for a 3-year-old's long-term nutritional status, as it reflects chronic nutritional intake and can indicate stunting or appropriate growth over time.

Current body weight provides immediate nutritional status but does not give as clear an indication of long-term nutritional trends or chronic nutritional deficiencies as height for age can. Skin turgor helps assess hydration status but does not provide information on long-term nutritional status or growth patterns. Head circumference is a critical measure in infants but becomes less indicative of overall nutritional status as children grow older, especially compared to height for age.

111.

A pediatric nurse is discussing ways to promote oral health in toddlers with a group of new parents. What is an important point to include?

  • Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for brushing.

  • Use small candies as a reward to incentivize brushing.

  • Begin dental visits after all primary teeth have erupted.

  • Encourage the child to brush their teeth at least once a day.

Correct answer: Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for brushing.

Using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste is recommended for toddlers to minimize the risk of fluoride ingestion while still providing adequate fluoride to help prevent tooth decay.

Using candies as a reward for brushing teeth can contradict oral health messages by increasing sugar exposure, which is a risk factor for cavities. It's advisable to begin dental visits before all primary teeth have erupted, typically by the child's first birthday or after the first tooth appears, to establish good oral health practices early. Encouraging brushing at least once a day is not sufficient for optimal oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day is generally recommended to effectively prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

112.

A nurse is counseling the parents of a 2-year-old about transitioning from bottle feeding. What is the most important reason to encourage cup drinking?

  • Prolonged bottle feeding can increase the risk of dental caries.

  • Cups ensure better hydration.

  • Using cups promotes motor development.

  • Bottles are more likely to spread infection.

Correct answer: Prolonged bottle feeding can increase the risk of dental caries.

Extended bottle feeding, especially when bottles contain sugary liquids and are used frequently throughout the day and night, can lead to prolonged exposure to sugars around the teeth, increasing the risk of dental caries.

Using cups does not necessarily ensure better hydration compared to bottles; the key benefit is reducing the risk of dental issues. While using cups can aid in motor development, it's not the primary reason to discourage prolonged bottle use. Although hygiene is important, the primary risk with prolonged bottle use is not an infection but rather dental caries due to frequent exposures to sugars.

113.

When planning the intra-departmental transfer of a critically ill newborn from the NICU to a specialized pediatric cardiology unit, the nurse should communicate what critical information to the receiving unit?

  • Any recent interventions

  • The general growth chart of the newborn since birth

  • Documentation from the patient’s delivery

  • CBC trends since birth

Correct answer: Any recent interventions

Communicating any recent interventions is critical to provide continuity of care and to inform the cardiology unit of any immediate past medical actions that might affect the newborn's condition.

While growth charts are important, they do not offer immediate, critical data that might impact acute care decisions in a specialized unit. Documentation from the delivery is less critical for the cardiology team compared to recent medical interventions that might influence cardiac care. CBC trends are useful for monitoring overall health but are less urgent than information about recent interventions that might have immediate implications on cardiac health.

114.

A pediatric nurse is helping a 6-year-old prepare for a series of vaccinations. Which approach should the nurse use?

  • Offer the child a choice between different flavored lollipops to focus on after the shots

  • Explain the immune response induced by vaccinations

  • Proceed with the vaccinations quickly to minimize potential pain

  • Tell the child that only babies cry during vaccinations to encourage bravery

Correct answer: Offer the child a choice between different flavored lollipops to focus on after the shots

Offering a choice of lollipops provides a positive focus and a sense of control, which can help reduce distress and promote cooperation during vaccinations.

Explaining the immune response is too complex for a 6-year-old to understand and does not directly assist in reducing immediate anxiety or pain associated with the shots. Quickly proceeding with vaccinations without addressing the child's emotional needs can increase anxiety and make the child less cooperative in future medical encounters. Telling a child that only babies cry can make them feel ashamed of showing natural emotions, potentially leading to increased anxiety and a negative association with medical procedures.

115.

A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a 6-year-old child in an outpatient setting. Which action is most critical to ensure the child's safety?

  • Verifying the child's identity using two patient identifiers

  • Asking the child if they understand why they are getting the medication

  • Making sure the child is ready to take the medication

  • Having the child verify the medication with the nurse

Correct answer: Verifying the child's identity using two patient identifiers

Verifying the child's identity using two patient identifiers, such as name and date of birth, ensures the correct child receives the intended medication. Correctly identifying a patient during medication administration is a critical safety measure in preventing medication errors.

While understanding medication purposes is important for older children's compliance, it does not ensure safety in terms of administering the correct medication or dose to the right child. Ensuring the child is ready to take the medication is helpful for compliance but does not address critical safety issues like misidentification or dosing errors. Having the child verify the medication is not a reliable safety measure since children, especially those as young as six, may not have the knowledge or understanding to accurately verify medication.

116.

A pediatric nurse needs to discuss a patient’s deteriorating condition with the team. Who should the nurse include in this discussion to ensure comprehensive care?

  • The full multidisciplinary team including physicians, therapists, and social workers

  • The patient’s primary physician, deferring to them to decide who else to include

  • All members of the multidisciplinary team who are present at the time

  • The nursing supervisor, who will coordinate the logistics of a multidisciplinary team meeting

Correct answer: The full multidisciplinary team including physicians, therapists, and social workers

Including the full multidisciplinary team, such as physicians, therapists, and social workers, in discussions about a patient’s deteriorating condition ensures that all aspects of the patient’s care are considered and that every team member is informed and prepared to contribute effectively.

While the patient’s primary physician is a key figure, relying solely on them to decide who else to include could miss out on valuable contributions from other disciplines that are important for comprehensive care. Limiting the discussion to those who are present at the time may result in incomplete representation of necessary disciplines and potentially incomplete care planning. While involving the nursing supervisor in coordinating meetings could be helpful, it is the nurse’s responsibility to ensure that all relevant disciplinary perspectives are included in the discussion to comprehensively address the patient’s needs.

117.

In assessing the hearing of a 6-month-old infant, a nurse should use which technique to determine normal auditory development?

  • Observing the infant's reaction to loud noises

  • Asking the infant to repeat simple words like “dada” and “mama”

  • Conducting an otoscopic examination

  • Performing a whisper test

Correct answer: Observing the infant's reaction to loud noises

Observing an infant's reaction to loud noises is an appropriate method to assess hearing for an infant who is 6 months old; positive responses indicate normal auditory reflexes and neural function for age.

A 6-month-old is typically unable to repeat words, as speech production comes later in development. This expectation is unrealistic for assessing auditory capabilities at this age. An otoscopic examination inspects the physical structure of the ear but does not assess the hearing function or auditory response. The whisper test requires a level of comprehension and interaction beyond the developmental capacity of a 6-month-old.

118.

A nurse is assessing a 16-year-old who reports difficulty sleeping and constant worry about school performance. The teen also mentions feeling overwhelmed. Which condition should the nurse primarily consider?

  • Generalized anxiety disorder

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

  • Suicidal ideation

  • Eating disorder

Correct answer: Generalized anxiety disorder

Difficulty sleeping and constant worry about performance are hallmark symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. This condition is a primary concern to assess in a teen presenting with these issues.

While ADHD can involve restlessness and difficulty concentrating, the symptoms of overwhelming worry and sleep disturbances align more closely with anxiety disorders. Suicidal ideation is a critical concern, but there's no direct indication of this in the scenario provided. It should be considered if anxiety assessment suggests deeper psychological distress. An eating disorder could be considered if there were symptoms related to body image or eating habits, but the primary symptoms described suggest an anxiety disorder.

119.

A 4-year-old child in palliative care cries frequently and appears restless. The healthcare team believes these behaviors are related to her progressive illness. Which approach is most appropriate for managing her care?

  • Combine pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic measures to manage discomfort

  • Implement a behavioral intervention plan to reduce crying episodes

  • Initiate end-of-life care discussions with the parents to prepare them emotionally

  • Perform blood work and imaging tests to understand the underlying cause of these behaviors

Correct answer: Combine pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic measures to manage discomfort

Combining pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic measures to manage discomfort addresses both the physical symptoms and emotional distress that might be causing the child to cry and appear restless. This balanced approach can provide more effective relief and comfort.

Implementing a behavioral intervention plan to reduce crying episodes might overlook the underlying causes of the distress, such as pain or discomfort, and does not directly address the child’s immediate needs. Initiating end-of-life care discussions with the parents to prepare them emotionally is important, but it does not address the immediate care needs of the child, who is showing signs of discomfort. Performing blood work and imaging tests to understand the underlying cause of these behaviors, while important for diagnosis, should not be the primary focus when immediate symptom management is required to relieve distress.

120.

A 4-year-old patient in the pediatric ward exhibits increased irritability, a headache, and a stiff neck. The nurse suspects meningitis. What is the appropriate initial step in communication?

  • Contact the attending physician

  • Document the findings so that the information will be available immediately

  • Contact the phlebotomist for STAT blood cultures

  • Notify the charge nurse of the change in condition

Correct answer: Contact the attending physician

Contacting the attending physician immediately is crucial for potential meningitis, which requires rapid assessment and potentially urgent medical interventions.

Documentation is important but should not delay immediate communication about a possible life-threatening condition like meningitis. Contacting the phlebotomist for STAT blood cultures may be a subsequent step after the physician has been alerted and decides on the necessary investigations. Notifying the charge nurse is less urgent than contacting the physician who can initiate specific treatments and further diagnostics.

×