Pediatrics Sample Questions

Which of the following signs of dehydration would a nurse expect to find during the admission assessment of an infant?

A. Sunken eyeballs and irritability.
B. Anuria and hypotension.
C. Fever and bradycardia.
D. Bulging anterior fontanel and dry mucous membranes.

Answer: A. This occurs because of fluid loss. Low blood pressure often results, followed by oliguria. Fever may be present with tachycardia. The mucous membranes may be dry, and the anterior fontanel sunken.

Which of the following children should the nurse recognize as the highest risk for fluid and electrolyte imbalance?

A. Benjamin, a preschooler with leukemia.
B. Mary, a toddler with lead poisoning.
C. David, an infant with acute gastroenteritis.
D. Jenny, a school-age child with multiple trauma.

Answer: C. This child has the greatest percentage of fluid per pound of body weight, and is at highest risk for F&E imbalance. None of the other children have conditions which make them at high risk for F&E imbalance.

TRUE or FALSE. A long term complication for a toddler who has recovered from meningitis is hydrocephalus. TRUE.