A nurse working in an inpatient pediatric unit cares for many ...

[Mr. Wonderful]

A nurse working in an inpatient pediatric unit cares for many children with musculoskeletal impairments. Which outcome takes priority for these children?
 
  A.
  Adapting to changing activity restrictions
  B.
  Continuing their growth and development
  C.
  Resuming ambulation as soon as possible
  D.
  Staying current with schoolwork with tutors

Question 2

An adolescent expresses frustration over how long his football injury to a tendon is taking to heal. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?
 
  A.
  I'll ask the doctor to check for a tendon infection.
  B.
  Often these injuries never fully heal and return to normal.
  C.
  Tendons have a poor blood supply, so healing is slow.
  D.
  You have to be more compliant with immobilization.

[SeanoH09]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Growth and development are dependent upon being able to interact with the environment. Any child with a musculoskeletal disorder is at risk for impaired growth and development. A priority outcome for any of these children is to maintain normal growth and development. Some children may need to adapt to changing activity restrictions. For some children, ambulation will be delayed or not possible. Staying current with education is important, but does not take priority over maintaining normal growth and development.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Tendons are fibrous connective tissues that have very little blood supply. Therefore healing from a tendon injury takes time. This is the best response; there is no indication that the teen has an infection interfering with recovery, it is inaccurate and disheartening to tell a young person that tendons may never heal, and the nurse should not assume the patient is noncompliant with immobilization.

[Mr. Wonderful]

TYSM

[scottmt]

Excellent