The nurse is caring for a boy with probable intussusception. He had diarrhea before admission, but while waiting for the administration of air pressure to reduce the intussusception, he passes a normal brown stool. Which nursing action is the most appropriate?
- A. notify the practitioner
- B. measure abdominal girth
- C. auscultate for bowel sounds
- D. take vital signs, including blood pressure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The passage of a normal brown stool in a child with intussusception could indicate spontaneous reduction of the intussusception. This change in the patient's condition is significant, requiring prompt notification of the practitioner for further evaluation and management. While measuring abdominal girth (Choice B) is important for assessing abdominal distention, it is not the priority when a potential spontaneous reduction may have occurred. Auscultating for bowel sounds (Choice C) and taking vital signs, including blood pressure (Choice D), are routine nursing assessments but do not address the immediate need to inform the practitioner of a possible change in the patient's condition that necessitates urgent attention.
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A home care nurse is visiting a family for the first time. The 4-week-old infant had surgery for exstrophy of the bladder and creation of an ileal conduit soon after birth. When the nurse arrives, the mother appears tired, and the baby is crying. After an introduction, which is the most appropriate statement by the nurse?
- A. "Tell me about your daily routine."
- B. "You look tired. Is everything all right?"
- C. "When was the last time the baby had a bottle?"
- D. "Oh, it looks like you two are having a bad day."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The most appropriate statement by the nurse in this scenario is to inquire about the family's daily routine. This question allows the nurse to gather information about the family dynamics, the care routine for the infant post-surgery, feeding schedules, and potential stressors. It opens the conversation in a non-intrusive manner and helps the nurse assess the family's situation to provide appropriate support. Choices B, C, and D do not address the situation effectively. Asking about the daily routine is crucial for the nurse to understand the family's needs and offer targeted assistance.
What is the typical therapeutic management treatment for children with Hirschsprung disease?
- A. Daily enemas
- B. Low-fiber diet
- C. Permanent colostomy
- D. Surgical removal of affected section of bowel
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The most common treatment for Hirschsprung disease is the surgical removal of the affected section of the bowel. This procedure entails excising the part of the colon that lacks nerve cells crucial for normal bowel function. Daily enemas (Choice A) can offer temporary relief for constipation but do not address the root cause of the condition, which is the absence of nerve cells. A low-fiber diet (Choice B) is not a primary therapy for Hirschsprung disease and may not effectively manage the disorder. A permanent colostomy (Choice C) is typically considered in severe cases where other interventions have failed and is not the standard management approach for Hirschsprung disease.
A child with a cardiac malformation associated with left-to-right shunting is being cared for by a nurse. What does the nurse consider to be the major characteristic of this type of congenital disorder?
- A. Elevated hematocrit
- B. Severe growth retardation
- C. Clubbing of the fingers and toes
- D. Increased blood flow to the lungs
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The major characteristic of a cardiac malformation associated with left-to-right shunting is increased blood flow to the lungs. This increased flow can lead to pulmonary hypertension and heart failure if left untreated. Elevated hematocrit (Choice A) is not a typical characteristic of this condition. Severe growth retardation (Choice B) is not directly associated with left-to-right shunting. Clubbing of the fingers and toes (Choice C) is more commonly seen in conditions involving chronic hypoxia.
During a primary survey of a child with partial thickness burns over the upper body areas, what action should the nurse take first?
- A. Inspect the child's skin color.
- B. Assess for a patent airway.
- C. Observe for symmetric breathing.
- D. Palpate the child's pulse.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assess for a patent airway. When dealing with a child who has sustained partial thickness burns, the priority is ensuring a patent airway due to the risk of respiratory compromise. Checking the child's skin color (choice A) may be important but is secondary to assessing the airway. While observing for symmetric breathing (choice C) is crucial, assessing the airway takes precedence in this situation. Palpating the child's pulse (choice D) is not the initial priority when managing burns and potential airway compromise.
Why does a cleft lip predispose an infant to infection?
- A. Waste products accumulate along the defect.
- B. There is evidence of inadequate circulation in the defective area.
- C. Nutrition is inadequate due to ineffective feeding.
- D. Mouth breathing dries the oropharyngeal mucous membranes.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Mouth breathing due to a cleft lip can dry the mucous membranes, making them more susceptible to infection. Choice A is incorrect because waste products do not accumulate along the defect to predispose the infant to infection. Choice B is incorrect as there is no evidence of inadequate circulation being a primary factor in infection predisposition in cleft lip cases. Choice C is incorrect because although ineffective feeding may lead to other issues, it is not the main reason for infection predisposition in infants with a cleft lip.