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 D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Monitoring for infection is important, but the white blood cell count is within normal limits, so it is not the immediate priority.
B. Although the hemoglobin is slightly low, it is not critically low, so transfusion of packed red blood cells is not immediately necessary.
C. Intravenous immunoglobulins are not indicated based on the current lab values.
D. The platelet count is critically low, placing the client at high risk for bleeding. Initiating bleeding precautions is the priority to prevent hemorrhage.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. While monitoring blood pressure is important, a blood pressure of 98/62 mm Hg may not immediately warrant notification unless there are signs of hypotension or other symptoms. The focus should be on careful management of fluid and electrolytes.
B. In cases of acute renal failure, potassium levels can become elevated due to impaired renal function. Therefore, IV fluids should typically be low in potassium to prevent hyperkalemia.
C. In acute renal failure, a diet high in protein and sodium is not recommended. Instead, dietary restrictions are usually advised to manage waste products and fluid balance.
D. Administering IV fluids slowly helps to prevent fluid overload, which is crucial in managing renal failure and maintaining hemodynamic stability.