Pancreatic enzymes are administered to the child with cystic fibrosis. What information should be included in patient education concerning the administration of these enzymes?
Administer pancreatic enzymes between meals if at all possible.
Pancreatic enzymes can be swallowed whole or sprinkled on a small amount of food taken at the beginning of a meal.
Do not administer pancreatic enzymes if the child is receiving antibiotics.
Decrease the dose of pancreatic enzymes if the child is having frequent, bulky stools.
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is choice A: Administer pancreatic enzymes between meals if at all possible.
Choice A rationale:
Administer pancreatic enzymes between meals if at all possible. This is the correct choice. When educating the parents and child with cystic fibrosis about the administration of pancreatic enzymes, it's important to emphasize that these enzymes should be given between meals whenever feasible. Administering them between meals, when the stomach is less acidic and less likely to release the enzymes prematurely, ensures optimal digestion of food and absorption of nutrients. This approach aligns with the physiological need to supplement pancreatic enzyme function due to the inadequate natural enzyme production in cystic fibrosis.
Choice B rationale:
Pancreatic enzymes can be swallowed whole or sprinkled on a small amount of food taken at the beginning of a meal. This choice is a valid option for administering pancreatic enzymes. While it's true that the enzymes can be taken either by swallowing the capsules whole or by opening them and sprinkling the contents on a small amount of food at the start of a meal, this method can vary based on individual preferences and abilities. However, the primary focus should be on timing (between meals) to achieve the best enzymatic action.
Choice C rationale:
Do not administer pancreatic enzymes if the child is receiving antibiotics. This statement is not accurate. There is no general contraindication to administering pancreatic enzymes while a child is on antibiotics. However, it's important for the healthcare provider to be aware of all the medications the child is taking to ensure there are no potential drug interactions or effects on absorption. Always consult with the healthcare team before adjusting the administration of any medication.
Choice D rationale:
Decrease the dose of pancreatic enzymes if the child is having frequent, bulky stools. This statement is not consistent with typical practice. If a child is experiencing frequent, bulky stools, it may actually indicate that the pancreatic enzyme dosage needs adjustment (increasing the dose rather than decreasing). Bulky stools can suggest poor digestion and absorption, which might require more enzymes to properly break down nutrients. Dosage adjustments should always be made under the guidance of the healthcare provider based on factors such as stool consistency, weight gain, and nutritional status.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice C. Asthma.
Choice A rationale:
A foreign body in the trachea can cause acute respiratory distress and a sudden cough, but it is unlikely to cause chronic nonproductive cough and diffuse wheezing during the expiratory phase of respiration. The symptoms in the scenario are more suggestive of a chronic condition.
Choice B rationale:
Bronchiolitis primarily affects infants and young children, causing symptoms such as fever, rhinorrhea, and wheezing. While wheezing can be present, the diffuse wheezing during the expiratory phase described in the scenario is more characteristic of asthma.
Choice C rationale:
Asthma is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways, leading to episodes of bronchoconstriction and increased airway reactivity. The chronic, nonproductive cough and diffuse wheezing during the expiratory phase are classic signs of asthma. Expiratory phase wheezing occurs due to the narrowing of the smaller airways during expiration.
Choice D rationale:
Pneumonia is an infection of the lung tissue and can cause productive cough, fever, and crackles on auscultation. While wheezing might occur in pneumonia due to inflammation and narrowing of the airways, it's not the most likely cause of the symptoms described in the scenario.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A. Meconium ileus.
Choice A rationale:
Meconium ileus. This is the earliest recognizable clinical manifestation of cystic fibrosis (CF). Meconium ileus refers to the blockage of the small intestine by thick, sticky meconium, the earliest stool of a newborn. It occurs in the first 24-48 hours of life and can be a sign of underlying cystic fibrosis.
Choice B rationale:
Foul-smelling, frothy, greasy stools. Foul-smelling, frothy, greasy stools are characteristic of malabsorption, which can occur in cystic fibrosis. However, this manifestation typically appears after meconium ileus and is not the earliest recognizable clinical sign.
Choice C rationale:
History of poor intestinal absorption. While poor intestinal absorption is a common consequence of cystic fibrosis, it is not one of the earliest recognizable clinical manifestations. Meconium ileus takes precedence as the primary early sign.
Choice D rationale:
Recurrent pneumonia and lung infections. Recurrent pneumonia and lung infections are common in later stages of cystic fibrosis due to the buildup of thick mucus in the respiratory tract. However, they are not among the earliest recognizable clinical manifestations of the disease. Meconium ileus is the earliest indicator in this context.
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