A nurse is caring for a 3-day-old newborn and suspects Hirschsprung disease. What finding best supports the nurse's concern?
The infant has passed several tar-like stools.
The infant has not gained weight and has stooled once.
The infant has not stooled.
The infant has passed hard, pellet-like stools.
The Correct Answer is C
Rationale:
A. Passing tar-like stools is normal for newborns within the first few days of life and does not indicate Hirschsprung disease.
B. Limited stooling and poor weight gain may suggest feeding issues but are not as indicative of Hirschsprung disease as the absence of stool.
C. The absence of stool (failure to pass meconium within 24-48 hours) is a classic sign of Hirschsprung disease, a condition where the absence of ganglion cells in the intestines leads to a blockage.
D. Passing hard, pellet-like stools may indicate constipation but is not specific to Hirschsprung disease, especially in a newborn.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. While pain management is important, the primary treatment for pyloric stenosis is surgical correction, not just analgesic medication.
B. Preparation for surgical correction, specifically a pyloromyotomy, is the standard treatment for pyloric stenosis to relieve the obstruction.
C. A barium enema is not used in the diagnosis or treatment of pyloric stenosis; it is typically used to diagnose other gastrointestinal conditions.
D. Thickened feedings with rice cereal are not indicated for pyloric stenosis and would not resolve the obstruction.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Lethargy is an early sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) due to possible shunt malfunction and requires immediate medical attention.
B. Seizure activity can be a late sign of shunt malfunction and is also concerning but lethargy typically appears earlier.
C. Rapid weight gain is less directly related to shunt malfunction and more associated with conditions like hypothyroidism or edema.
D. Disinterest in school could suggest general malaise but is not a specific or early sign of shunt malfunction.