Pediatric HESI 2023 Related

Review Pediatric HESI 2023 related questions and content

A parent of an 11-month-old infant who has a cleft palate asks the nurse why it was recommended that closure of the palate should be done before the age of 2. How should the nurse respond?

  • A. "After age 2, surgery is frightening and should be avoided if possible."
  • B. "Eruption of the 2-year molars often complicates the surgical procedure."
  • C. "As your child gets older, the palate gets wider and more difficult to repair."
  • D. "Surgery should be performed before your child starts to use faulty speech patterns."
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Closure of the cleft palate is recommended before the age of 2 to prevent the development of faulty speech patterns. Performing surgery at a younger age helps avoid speech difficulties that may arise if the repair is delayed. Choice A is incorrect as it focuses on fear, not the developmental aspect. Choice B is incorrect as the eruption of molars is not the primary reason for early surgery. Choice C is incorrect because the difficulty of repair is not solely related to the width of the palate but also to speech development.