Pre-Test 1 and 2: Introduction to Special Questions Based on Official NCLEX-RN[®]
62. A 5-year-old child is diagnosed with acute tonsillitis for the third time in a year. The mother asks the nurse, "Can't the pediatrician just take the tonsils out now? Why wait until the infection is over?" The nurse's most accurate response would be:
. "I agree. Let's talk to the pediatrician about this."
. "You really shouldn't question the pediatrician's reason for delaying the surgery."
. "A healthy child is a better candidate for surgery than a sick child."
. "The inflammation and infection increase the risk of bleeding during the surgery."
Test-Taking Tip
The stem in this question asks for the most accurate response. The most specific response is the most accurate response. Choose the specific pathophysiology-based answer.
Content Area: Child Health, Pediatric Surgery; Integrated Process: Nursing Process, Implementation; Cognitive Level: Application; Client Need/Subneed: Physiological Integrity/Reduction of Risk Potential/Potential for Complications from Surgical Procedures and Health Alterations
Pre-Test 1 and 2: Introduction to Special Questions Based on Official NCLEX-RN[®]
.
Answer 1 is incorrect because the nurse has the necessary knowledge base to correctly answer the parent's question without referring to the pediatrician. Answer 2 is incorrect because the nurse would not want to answer the parent's question with a closed-ended response. It does not provide the parent with needed information and tends to abruptly terminate any communication between the nurse and the parent. Answer 3 is incorrect because, while a healthy child is a better candidate for surgery than a sick child, this is a general response rather than a specific response to this parent's question. Answer 4 is the correct answer because acute inflammation and infection ("itis") of tonsillar tissue increase the risk of bleeding at the time of surgery. The operative site for a tonsillectomy is highly vascular, with the risk of postoperative bleeding already a concern. An active inflammation and infection would increase this concern.