Deck 22: Autism

Question 1

A 4-year-old has been diagnosed with seizure disorder,and the health care provider suspects the client may also be autistic.What should the nurse have the parents observe for in this client?

A)Does the child make eye contact?
B)Does the child watch television?
C)Does the child have friends at daycare?
D)Can the child entertain self for a period of time?
E)Is the child's language development within normal expectations?

Answer 1

Does the child make eye contact?
Does the child have friends at daycare?
Is the child's language development within normal expectations?

Question 2

The nurse is conducting a family interview after a child is diagnosed with ASD.The nurse would interpret which behavior as pertinent to this diagnosis?

A)The father's facial expressions do not "match" the conversation.
B)The mother repeatedly folds and unfolds a table napkin.
C)Two brothers elbow one another while sitting on the couch.
D)The father does not look at the nurse when answering a question at the end of the interview.
E)The mother fails to correct children who are bouncing a ball in the house.

Answer 2

The father's facial expressions do not "match" the conversation.
The mother repeatedly folds and unfolds a table napkin.

Question 3

The nurse is leading a discussion about autism with a group of elementary school teachers.One teacher says,"I did not have an autistic child in my classroom for the first 10 years that I taught.I have had six children with autism in the last four years." How should the nurse respond?

A)"I am surprised you did not have an autistic child in your classroom earlier in your career."
B)"In some regions of the world about one person in 100 has some form of autism."
C)"When lots of money is put into research,it encourages physicians to diagnose the disorder."
D)"I think it has to do with the numbers of people using illicit drugs."

Answer 3

"In some regions of the world about one person in 100 has some form of autism."

Question 4

A client with ASD is found to have alteration of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4),which causes elevation of serotonin levels.The nurse would expect which other potential effects from this alteration?

A)Mania
B)Substance abuse
C)Obsessive-compulsive behaviors
D)Depression
E)Schizophrenia

Question 5

The nurse is participating in a study focused on early identification of ASD.The nurse would include a child in this study based on which assessment findings?

A)The child's father was 40 years old when the child was conceived.
B)The child's mother was 37 years old when the child was born.
C)The baby was born one week before the calculated due date.
D)The baby weighed 3 pounds 14 ounces at birth.
E)The baby was born in late spring.

Question 6

A parent states,"I think my child may be autistic.Where can I take him for genetic testing to find out?" How should the nurse respond?

A)"There is no test available for ASD."
B)"Testing is only available in large teaching hospitals."
C)"Most state health departments can provide this testing."
D)"The test is available in most physician offices."

Question 7

A child has been diagnosed with fragile X syndrome (FXS).Which information should the nurse include when discussing this disorder with the parents?

A)"There is a higher risk that your child will also develop ASD."
B)"Your child may exhibit odd breathing patterns while sleeping."
C)"Benign tumors of the skin are often seen in children with this disorder."
D)"You may notice that your child has obsessive tendencies."
E)"Anxiety is a common problem for children with this syndrome."

Question 8

An epidemiologist is tracking new cases of ASD in a rural area.Which characteristics must be in place for these numbers to be valid?

A)A standardized definition of ASD must be used by all practitioners.
B)The methodology used to count ASD cases must be consistent,reliable,and valid.
C)All numbers collected before the year 2000 are incorrect and must be deleted.
D)Case counting must take place over an extended period.
E)Diagnoses must be verified by certified pediatricians.

Question 9

The nurse who is aware of the results of the CHARGE study and who plans to have children would likely make which personal choices?

A)Avoid eating fish from polluted waters.
B)Avoid passive cigarette smoke.
C)Purchase a home well away from freeway traffic.
D)Purchase a home well away from electrical substations.
E)Avoid using hair dye.

Question 10

The nurse has been asked to draw several blood samples from a child with the diagnosis of autism.Which question reveals that this nurse is practicing in an ethical manner?

A)"What times should I draw these samples?"
B)"Has the child had blood samples drawn before?"
C)"Are these samples for clinical or research use?"
D)"Will the parent be present for the draw?"

Question 11

A family has been told that their child may have autism spectrum disorder.The nurse explains that this diagnosis is made by which method?

A)A blood test for increased levels of catecholamines
B)Observations of behaviors and developmental patterns
C)CT scan of the brain
D)PET scan of the forebrain

Question 12

One of a pair of twins is diagnosed with ASD.If this case follows research predictions,what is the probability that the other twin will also develop ASD?

A)The probability would be the same as with the twin's other siblings.
B)The probability would be highest if the twins were dizygotic.
C)The probability is lower than in the general public.
D)The probability would be highest if the twins were monozygotic.

Question 13

The nurse is collecting the family history of a child recently diagnosed with ASD.Which finding would the nurse flag as potentially significant?

A)The client's older brother did not receive standard childhood immunizations.
B)The child's mother was exposed to rubella during the pregnancy.
C)The father works in a wheat-processing facility.
D)The child had neonatal jaundice that resolved at four days.

Question 14

A research study on the risk of developing autism does not include dissemination of the results to the participants.The nurse who is asked to participate in this study should take which most important action?

A)Make certain that the lack of dissemination is explained in the informed consent.
B)Evaluate the participants' understanding that the results will not be offered.
C)Refuse to participate in the study.
D)Participate in the study only if the results are not expected to be significant.