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.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Projectile vomiting is a classic sign of pyloric stenosis, where the thickened pylorus muscle obstructs the passage of food from the stomach to the small intestine, causing forceful vomiting.
B. Large amounts of bilious emesis would suggest an obstruction beyond the pylorus, which is not characteristic of pyloric stenosis.
C. Watery diarrhea is not associated with pyloric stenosis, which typically causes dehydration and constipation.
D. Steatorrhea, or fatty stools, is not a feature of pyloric stenosis but rather is associated with malabsorption syndromes.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Fluid intake is usually restricted to prevent fluid overload, which can worsen edema and hypertension in acute glomerulonephritis.
B. Administering antibiotics may be necessary, especially if the condition is secondary to a streptococcal infection, which is a common cause of acute glomerulonephritis.
C. Rest is typically encouraged rather than frequent ambulation, as activity can exacerbate symptoms.
D. Daily weights, not weekly, are crucial for monitoring fluid balance in acute glomerulonephritis.