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A nurse in an acute care facility is caring for a toddler.

Exhibits

For each assessment finding below, click to specify if the assessment finding is consistent with Crohn's disease, appendicitis, or intussusception. Each finding may support more than 1 disease process.

A.

Pain rating

B.

Vomiting

C.

Stool

D.

Temperature

E.

Abdominal findings

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"C"},"B":{"answers":"B,C"},"C":{"answers":"A,C"},"D":{"answers":"B"},"E":{"answers":"C"}}

  • Pain rating: Severe, intermittent abdominal pain where the child draws their knees to the chest and then returns to normal behavior is a classic symptom of intussusception. Neither Crohn’s disease nor appendicitis typically presents with this pattern, appendicitis pain is usually constant and worsening, while Crohn’s pain is chronic and non-episodic.
  • Vomiting:  Vomiting in intussusception is common and often non-bilious in early stages, aligning with the child's light-colored emesis. Vomiting also occurs in appendicitis, especially in the early stages. However, it is not a prominent or early symptom of Crohn’s disease unless obstruction is present.
  • Stool: The presence of blood and mucus in the stool ("currant jelly stool") is strongly associated with intussusception and may also occur in Crohn’s disease during flares due to colonic inflammation. Appendicitis does not typically cause bloody or mucoid stools, making this finding inconsistent with that diagnosis.
  • Temperature: A temperature of 37.4°C is within normal limits, appendicitis however may present with low grade fever. The absence of fever at this time limits its diagnostic value in this case.
  • Abdominal findings: A distended abdomen with hypoactive bowel sounds and a palpable sausage-shaped mass in the right upper quadrant is highly indicative of intussusception. These findings are not characteristic of appendicitis, which usually involves RLQ pain, or Crohn’s, which rarely presents with a discrete palpable mass.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. The stoma appears dark purple in color. This is a priority finding, as it may indicate impaired circulation or necrosis of the stoma tissue. A healthy stoma should appear pink or red and moist. A dark purple or black color requires immediate evaluation.
B. The colostomy has had no output. While it is important to monitor output, it is not unusual for a new colostomy to have minimal or no output in the first 24–48 hours post-op as bowel function returns.
C. The client refuses to look at the colostomy. This is a psychosocial concern and may indicate body image issues or denial, but it is not the most urgent issue in the immediate postoperative period.
D. The client reports a pain level of 6 on a scale from 0 to 10. Pain management is important, but a pain level of 6, while needing intervention, does not take priority over a potential vascular compromise of the stoma.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. "A cesarean birth is the only way to prevent transmission." Cesarean delivery is considered if active lesions or prodromal symptoms are present at the time of labor. However, it is not automatically required for all clients with a history of herpes.
B. "If you notice genital tingling be sure to notify your provider." Genital tingling or burning can be a prodromal sign of an impending herpes outbreak. Early reporting allows for appropriate evaluation and potential antiviral treatment to reduce the risk of transmission to the newborn.
C. "Hydrotherapy during labor can help reduce transmission." Hydrotherapy has no effect on herpes virus transmission and is not used for this purpose. Preventing neonatal herpes depends on careful monitoring and antiviral management.
D. "The provider will perform weekly visual inspections for lesions." Routine weekly inspections are not standard unless symptoms suggest an outbreak. Clients are generally monitored and evaluated for lesions closer to labor or if symptoms arise.

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