Eight hours ago, an infant with Hirschsprung's disease had surgery to create a colostomy. Which of the following findings should alert the nurse to notify the physician immediately?
- A. A 3-cm increase in abdominal circumference.
- B. Periods of occasional fussiness.
- C. Absence of bowel sounds since surgery.
- D. Evidence of the infant's returning appetite.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A 3-cm increase in abdominal circumference may indicate complications like obstruction or bleeding.
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After insertion of bilateral tympanostomy tubes in a toddler, which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the child's discharge plan for the parents?
- A. Insert ear plugs into the canals when the child bathes.
- B. Blow the nose forcibly during a cold.
- C. Administer the prescribed antibiotic while the tubes are in place.
- D. Disregard any drainage from the ear after 1 week.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Administering prescribed antibiotics as directed is crucial to prevent infection after tympanostomy tube insertion. Ear plugs are not typically recommended, as they can introduce bacteria. Forcibly blowing the nose can disrupt the tubes, and any drainage after 1 week should be reported, not disregarded.
A child is admitted with a diagnosis of possible appendicitis. The child is in acute pain. Which of the following nursing interventions would be appropriate prior to surgery to decrease pain? Select all that apply.
- A. Offer an ice pack.
- B. Apply a heating pad.
- C. Encourage the child to assume a position of comfort.
- D. Limit the child's activity.
- E. Request an order for a cathartic.
Correct Answer: A,C,D
Rationale: Ice, comfortable positioning, and activity limitation reduce pain; heating pads and cathartics may worsen appendicitis.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse expect to include in the discharge teaching plan for the parent of an infant who has had an inguinal herniorrhaphy?
- A. Change diapers as soon as they become soiled.
- B. Apply an abdominal binder.
- C. Keep the incision covered with a sterile dressing.
- D. Restrain the infant's hands.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Prompt diaper changes prevent irritation and infection at the surgical site.
The nurse identifies a nursing diagnosis of Risk for perioperative-positioning injury related to the surgical procedure for a school-age child scheduled for a tonsillectomy. Which of the following is an expected outcome for this nursing diagnosis?
- A. The child is able to tell about the surgery and recovery.
- B. The child remains on nothing-by-mouth (NPO) status for the designated preoperative period.
- C. The child and family demonstrate an understanding of the procedure.
- D. The child knows the parents will not leave.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most appropriate outcome for a nursing diagnosis of Risk for perioperative-positioning injury related to the surgical procedure should be that the child remains NPO for the designated period of time before surgery, thereby minimizing the risk of aspiration during the surgery. Ability to tell about the surgery and demonstrating an understanding of the procedure are appropriate outcomes for a nursing diagnosis of Deficient knowledge. Knowing that the parents will not leave is associated with a nursing diagnosis of Anxiety or Fear related to separation from support systems or an unfamiliar environment.
The nurse is discharging a baby with clubfoot who has had a cast applied. The nurse should provide additional teaching to the parents if they state:
- A. I should call if I see changes in the color of the toes under the cast.'
- B. I should use a pillow to elevate my child's foot as he sleeps.'
- C. My baby will need a series of casts to fix her foot.'
- D. Having a cast should not prevent me from holding my baby.'
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using a pillow to elevate the foot may alter the cast's corrective positioning, requiring additional teaching to avoid this practice.
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