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 A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Myelomeningocele is a type of spina bifida where there is a protrusion of the meninges and spinal cord through a defect in the vertebrae. This condition can result in partial to complete paralysis in the lower extremities due to the involvement of the spinal cord.
B. A unilateral port-wine birthmark is typically associated with conditions like Sturge-Weber syndrome, not myelomeningocele.
C. A protruding sac containing abdominal contents is characteristic of omphalocele, not myelomeningocele.
D. Fusion of cranial suture lines is not associated with myelomeningocele but rather with craniosynostosis.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder that affects the clotting process, and the partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is typically prolonged in individuals with hemophilia, indicating a deficiency in clotting factors.
B. Hemoglobin levels may remain normal unless the client experiences significant bleeding episodes.
C. Platelet count is usually normal in hemophilia, as the disorder affects clotting factors rather than platelet production.
D. Hematocrit levels may also remain normal unless there is significant bleeding, which would lower hematocrit due to blood loss.