A nurse is planning care for a 10-month-old infant who is 8 hours postoperative following cleft palate repair. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the infant's plan of care?
Apply and release elbow restraints every hour
Keep the infant supine
Feed the infant with a spoon for 48 hours
Suction the mouth with an oral suction tube
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Applying and releasing elbow restraints every hour prevents the infant from touching or injuring the surgical site, while allowing some movement and circulation. This is a standard nursing intervention for infants who have undergone cleft palate repair.
Choice B reason: Keeping the infant supine is not recommended, as it increases the risk of aspiration and bleeding. The infant should be placed in a side-lying or upright position to facilitate drainage and prevent pressure on the suture line.
Choice C reason: Feeding the infant with a spoon for 48 hours is not necessary, as it may cause discomfort and trauma to the palate. The infant can be fed with a special nipple or a syringe with a rubber tip that delivers small amounts of formula or breast milk to the side of the mouth.
Choice D reason: Suctioning the mouth with an oral suction tube is contraindicated, as it may damage the palate and cause bleeding or infection. The nurse should use a bulb syringe to gently suction the nose and mouth if needed.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Red currant jelly stools are typically associated with intussusception, not pyloric stenosis. In pyloric stenosis, the stool would not have this appearance.
Choice B reason: Distended neck veins are not a clinical manifestation of pyloric stenosis. They are more commonly associated with cardiac or respiratory issues.
Choice C reason: Projectile vomiting is a classic symptom of pyloric stenosis. It occurs due to the obstruction at the pylorus, which prevents stomach contents from passing into the small intestine.
Choice D reason: A bulged abdomen is not specific to pyloric stenosis. While the abdomen may appear full, 'bulged' is not the precise term used to describe the manifestation in pyloric stenosis.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is the best option to prevent the toddler from touching or injuring the surgical site. The nurse should apply soft padded restraints and check the circulation and skin integrity of the wrists frequently.
Choice B reason: Offering fluids through a straw is not recommended for a toddler who has had a cleft palate repair, as it can cause suction and pressure in the mouth that can disrupt the sutures. The nurse should offer fluids with a cup or a spoon.
Choice C reason: Implementing a soft diet is not appropriate for a toddler who has had a cleft palate repair, as it can cause irritation and infection in the mouth. The nurse should provide clear liquids for the first 24 hr and then advance to full liquids as tolerated.
Choice D reason: Administering opioids for pain is not the first choice for a toddler who has had a cleft palate repair, as it can cause respiratory depression and constipation. The nurse should use nonpharmacological methods such as distraction, comfort, and reassurance first, and then administer acetaminophen or ibuprofen as prescribed.
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