What is the priority nursing intervention to perform on an infant immediately following repair of a myelomeningocele?
Assess motor function in lower extremities
Maintain skin integrity
Monitor intake and output
Monitor head circumference
The Correct Answer is D
A. Assess motor function in lower extremities: While important for overall neurological assessment, immediate post-repair monitoring of motor function is secondary to monitoring for signs of hydrocephalus (head circumference).
B. Maintain skin integrity: Essential for preventing infection but does not address the immediate post-surgical complication of hydrocephalus.
C. Monitor intake and output: Important for general post-operative care but does not address the immediate concern of monitoring for hydrocephalus.
D. Monitor head circumference: Following repair of a myelomeningocele, infants are at risk for developing hydrocephalus due to abnormal cerebrospinal fluid dynamics. Monitoring head circumference helps detect early signs of increased intracranial pressure, a common complication post-surgery.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Umbilical cord compression. This typically results in variable decelerations, not late decelerations.
B. Fetal head compression. This is usually associated with early decelerations.
C. Uteroplacental insufficiency. Late decelerations occur after the peak of contractions and are indicative of insufficient blood flow and oxygen to the fetus, suggesting a problem with the placenta's ability to provide adequate oxygen.
D. Maternal bradycardia. Maternal bradycardia does not cause fetal decelerations.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Hypoplastic heart syndrome: Characterized by underdevelopment of the left side of the heart, not mixing of blood.
B. Atrioventricular canal defect: An atrioventricular canal defect allows oxygenated and deoxygenated blood to mix due to the presence of a common atrioventricular valve and defects in the atrial and ventricular septa. This defect results in a mixture of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, which can cause varying levels of oxygenation in the blood delivered to the body.
C. Tetralogy of Fallot: Involves a ventricular septal defect leading to right-to-left shunting, but not a direct mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.
D. Coarctation of the aorta: Involves narrowing of the aorta, not mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.
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