A nurse is providing teaching to the parent of an infant who has gastroesophageal reflux. Which of the following statements by the parent indicates an understanding of the teaching?
"I will keep my baby in an upright position after feedings
"My baby's formula can be thickened with oatmeal.
"I should position my baby side-lying during sleep.
"I will have to feed my baby formula rather than breast milk."
The Correct Answer is A
A. "I will keep my baby in an upright position after feedings."
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a condition where the stomach contents flow back into the esophagus, which can cause spitting up or regurgitation in infants. Keeping the baby in an upright position after feedings can help reduce the likelihood of reflux episodes. By holding the baby in an upright position for about 30 minutes after feeding, gravity can aid in keeping the stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus.
The other statements are incorrect or do not address the management of gastroesophageal reflux:
B. "My baby's formula can be thickened with oatmeal." - Thickening formula with oatmeal is not a standard recommendation for managing GER in infants. In some cases, thickening formulas may be recommended, but it should be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
C. "I should position my baby side-lying during sleep." A side-lying position is not recommended for sleep in infants, as it increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The safe sleep position for infants is on their back.
D. "I will have to feed my baby formula rather than breast milk." - The type of feeding (formula or breast milk) does not directly impact the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux. Both breast milk and formula can cause reflux in some infants. It is essential to discuss feeding options with a healthcare provider to determine the best approach for the individual infant's needs.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The nurse should expect to find irritability in an infant who is dehydrated. Dehydration in infants can lead to changes in behavior and irritability due to the imbalance in fluid and electrolytes. Other common signs of dehydration in infants may include:
Poor skin turgor (skin tenting)
Sunken fontanelles (soft spots on the baby's head)
Dry mucous membranes (dry mouth and tongue)
Decreased urine output or concentrated urine
Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
Increased respiratory rate
Sunken eyes
Decreased tears when crying
B. Tetany is a condition characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and is more commonly associated with hypocalcemia (low calcium levels) rather than dehydration.
C. A slow, bounding pulse is not typically associated with dehydration. Dehydration often leads to a rapid heart rate (tachycardia) as the body attempts to compensate for the loss of fluid.
D. Decreased temperature is not a typical finding in dehydration. Dehydration can lead to fever in some cases due to an underlying infection, but it does not cause a decrease in body temperature on its own.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
In this scenario, the infant has a heart rate of 190/min and a fever of 40°C (104°F). Fever in infants can cause an increase in heart rate, which is a normal physiological response to elevated body temperature. Fever is the body's way of responding to an infection or illness, and it triggers various physiological changes, including an increase in heart rate. This helps the body to circulate blood and deliver immune cells to fight off the infection.
The other options are not accurate or relevant to the infant's current condition:
A. "This is within the expected range for your baby." - A heart rate of 190/min is above the normal expected range for a 2-month-old infant, which is typically between 120 to 160 beats per minute. This response would not address the elevated heart rate and fever.
C. "As your baby begins to fall asleep, his heart rate will decrease." - While heart rate may decrease during sleep, it does not explain the elevated heart rate and fever observed in this situation.
D. "Your baby's heart is beating fast in an attempt to cool down his body." - While tachycardia (fast heart rate) can be associated with increased metabolic demands during fever, the main reason for the increased heart rate in this case is the fever itself, not the body's attempt to cool down. Fever is a response to infection or illness and can cause an increase in heart rate as part of the body's normal immune response.
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