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 D
Explanation
A. Playing on the backyard swings and running around outside are exercises our child will really enjoy. Encouraging physical activity is beneficial as it helps with lung function and overall health.
B. Three to four times a day we will perform chest therapy and postural drainage on our child. This is correct and necessary to help clear mucus from the lungs.
C. A high protein, high-calorie diet may need to be supplemented with a high-calorie formula. This is important for meeting the nutritional needs of children with cystic fibrosis due to their higher caloric requirements.
D. Pancreatic enzymes will not be necessary if our child has a good appetite and regular bowel movements. This is incorrect; children with cystic fibrosis typically need pancreatic enzyme supplements with every meal and snack to aid digestion, regardless of appetite or bowel regularity.
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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