An infant who is developmentally delayed has a ventricular peritoneal (VP) shunt for hydrocephalus. The nurse makes a postoperative home visit to assess the child's progress. During the visit, the mother tells the nurse, "When the shunt is removed, the pressure in my baby's head will be gone." Which response should the nurse provide?

"Many infants outgrow the need for a shunt after the neonatal period."

"The shunt will be replaced as your child grows to reduce pressure in the brain."

"Other pathways in the brain will drain fluid after the shunt is removed."

"The shunt will have to be reinserted only if an infection or blockage develops."

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: "Many infants outgrow the need for a shunt after the neonatal period." is not a correct response that the nurse should provide. This statement is false, as most infants with hydrocephalus will need a shunt for life. Only a small percentage of infants with post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus may outgrow the need for a shunt .

Choice B reason: "The shunt will be replaced as your child grows to reduce pressure in the brain." is the correct response that the nurse should provide. This statement is true, as the shunt will need to be adjusted or replaced as the child grows to accommodate the changes in the size and shape of the head and the amount of fluid drainage. The nurse should educate the mother about the signs and symptoms of shunt malfunction and the need for regular follow-up visits.

Choice C reason: "Other pathways in the brain will drain fluid after the shunt is removed." is not a correct response that the nurse should provide. This statement is false, as the shunt is not removed unless there is a serious complication or the child no longer needs it. The shunt is a permanent device that bypasses the blocked or impaired pathways in the brain and allows the fluid to drain into the abdomen. Without the shunt, the fluid will accumulate in the brain and cause increased pressure and damage.

Choice D reason: "The shunt will have to be reinserted only if an infection or blockage develops." is not a correct response that the nurse should provide. This statement is false, as the shunt is not removed and reinserted unless there is a serious complication or the child no longer needs it. The shunt is a permanent device that stays in place unless it malfunctions or becomes infected. The nurse should educate the mother about the signs and symptoms of shunt infection and the need for prompt treatment.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Measuring abdominal circumference provides immediate, objective data about the degree of abdominal distention, which is a key sign of intestinal obstruction in a neonate who hasn’t passed meconium and is vomiting bilious secretions. Establishing a baseline girth measurement guides further assessment, helps detect rapidly worsening distention, and informs decisions about decompression and imaging studies.

Choice B reason: Although initiating an IV infusion is critical for fluid and electrolyte replacement in any vomiting infant, securing intravenous access should follow a focused assessment. Prioritizing assessment ensures you understand the severity of the obstruction and tailor fluid resuscitation and other interventions appropriately.

Choice C reason: Monitoring strict urinary output is not the first action that the nurse should take. This is because urinary output is not the most sensitive indicator of fluid status in infants, especially those with renal insufficiency or oliguria. Monitoring urinary output may also delay more urgent interventions, such as fluid resuscitation and decompression.

Choice D reason: Preparing for anorectal manometry is not the first action that the nurse should take. This is because anorectal manometry is a diagnostic test that measures the pressure and function of the anal and rectal muscles. It is not indicated for infants with suspected meconium ileus, which is a mechanical obstruction of the bowel by thick and sticky meconium. Preparing for anorectal manometry may also delay more urgent interventions, such as fluid resuscitation and decompression.

A. Take the child to a hair salon for a shampoo and a shorter haircut. B. Rewash the child's hair following a 24-hour isolation period. C. Wash the child's bed linens and clothing in hot soapy water. D. Dispose of the child's brushes, combs, and other hair accessories.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Taking the child to a hair salon for a shampoo and a shorter haircut is not a good instruction that the nurse should provide. This is because a hair salon may not accept a child with head lice, as they can spread to other customers and staff. A shorter haircut may also not help to get rid of the lice or their eggs, which can attach to any length of hair.

Choice B reason: Rewashing the child's hair following a 24-hour isolation period is not a good instruction that the nurse should provide. This is because a 24-hour isolation period is not necessary or effective for treating head lice. Head lice do not survive long without a human host, and they do not spread through the air or by jumping. Rewashing the child's hair may also wash off the permethrin shampoo, which needs to stay on the hair for 10 minutes to kill the lice and their eggs.

Choice C reason: Washing the child's bed linens and clothing in hot soapy water is a good instruction that the nurse should provide. This is because head lice and their eggs can be transferred to the child's bedding and clothing through direct contact. Washing these items in hot water (at least 130°F or 54°C) and drying them on high heat can kill any remaining lice or eggs. Alternatively, the items can be sealed in plastic bags for two weeks to suffocate the lice.

Choice D reason: Disposing of the child's brushes, combs, and other hair accessories is not a good instruction that the nurse should provide. This is because it is not necessary to throw away these items, as they can be treated and reused. The nurse should advise the parents to soak the items in hot water (at least 130

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

An infant born 2 days ago has not passed a meconium stool and begins to vomit bilious secretions. Which action should the nurse take first?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A preschool-age boy in a daycare facility scratches his head frequently, and the nurse confirms the presence of head lice. The nurse washes the child's hair with permethrin shampoo and calls his parents. Which instruction should the nurse provide to the parents about treatment for head lice?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nurse is providing discharge instructions to the caregiver of an infant with recurrent otitis media. Which statement made by the caregiver should the nurse recognize as needing additional education about minimizing subsequent infections?

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A 10-year-old boy has been seen frequently by the school nurse over the past three weeks after school begins in the fall. He reports headaches, stomach aches, and difficulty sleeping. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

When providing care for a child who is in balanced suspension skeletal traction using a Thomas splint and Pearson attachment to the right femur, which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?

A 9-year-old boy is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). Which stage of Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development is the nurse addressing when teaching this client about insulin injections?

A school-age child with bronchial asthma has a prescription for albuterol. The child's parent tells the nurse that the medication is used when the child is having difficulty breathing. Which is the best response by the nurse?

The nurse is assessing the lung sounds of a preschooler. Which action should the nurse implement to ensure the child's cooperation?