Medical Surgical HESI 2023 Related

Review Medical Surgical HESI 2023 related questions and content

What should the nurse assess in an infant who has been diagnosed with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis?

  • A. A history of diarrhea following each feeding
  • B. Gastric pain evidenced by vigorous crying
  • C. Poor appetite due to a poor sucking reflex
  • D. An olive-shaped mass right of the midline
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. In hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, a key assessment finding is an olive-shaped mass in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, to the right of the midline. This mass is palpable and represents the hypertrophied pyloric muscle. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because although they may be present in infants with feeding problems, the definitive assessment for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is the presence of an olive-shaped mass on the right side of the abdomen, not a history of diarrhea, gastric pain, or poor appetite.