a 3 day old infant presents with abdominal distention is vomiting and has not passed any meconium stools what disease should the nurse suspect
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

ATI Nursing Care of Children 2019 B

1. What disease should be suspected in a 3-day-old infant presenting with abdominal distention, vomiting, and failure to pass meconium?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Hirschsprung disease should be suspected in a newborn with abdominal distention, vomiting, and failure to pass meconium. This condition arises from a congenital absence of nerve cells in a portion of the colon, leading to severe constipation and intestinal obstruction. Pyloric stenosis typically presents with non-bilious projectile vomiting in the first few weeks of life. Intussusception classically manifests with sudden onset of colicky abdominal pain and currant jelly stools. Celiac disease may present with chronic diarrhea, failure to thrive, and abdominal distention but is less likely in this scenario.

2. A child diagnosed with a soft tissue tumor is being treated with chemotherapy. Prior to administering the chemotherapy, which laboratory test should the nurse monitor to determine if the child has any capability of fighting infections?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is crucial for determining the child's ability to fight infections. Neutrophils play a key role in combating bacterial infections. Monitoring the ANC is essential before administering chemotherapy, as a low ANC indicates an increased risk of infection. Hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and platelets are important for assessing oxygen-carrying capacity, anemia, and clotting function, respectively, but they do not directly reflect the child's capability to fight infections.

3. At which age should the nurse expect most infants to begin to say mama and dada with meaning?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: By around 10 months, infants often start to say "mama" and "dada" with meaning, associating these words with their parents.

4. Children may believe that they are responsible for their parents' divorce and interpret the separation as punishment. At which age is this most likely to occur?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: At around 8 years old, children may feel they are responsible for their parents' divorce and view it as a punishment, which can impact their emotional well-being.

5. A child has a nasogastric (NG) tube after surgery for Hirschsprung disease. What is the purpose of the NG tube?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary purpose of an NG tube post-surgery for Hirschsprung disease is to prevent abdominal distention by decompressing the stomach and intestines. This helps prevent complications and promotes healing.

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