An infant with hydrocephalus is hospitalized for surgical placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Postoperative nursing care would include what?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Postoperative nursing care for an infant with hydrocephalus who underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement includes monitoring closely for signs of infection, as infection is the greatest hazard in the postoperative period. Signs of cerebrospinal fluid infection to watch for include elevated temperature, poor feeding, vomiting, decreased responsiveness, and seizure activity. The child should be placed with the operative side of the head up to reduce pressure on the valve. The shunt reservoir should not be pumped to maintain patency, as this can disrupt its function. Maintaining a Trendelenburg position to decrease pressure on the shunt is contraindicated as it can lead to increased intracranial pressure and compromise the shunt's effectiveness.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Airway obstruction. When planning nursing care for an infant with Meconium aspiration syndrome, a primary consideration for complications is the potential of airway obstruction. After the passage of meconium into the amniotic fluid, the infant may inhale or swallow the fluid, leading to meconium aspiration into the lower airways and causing a partial airway obstruction. This can result in respiratory distress and hypoxemia. Hypoglycemia (choice A) is a metabolic condition unrelated to meconium aspiration. Bowel obstruction (choice B) with meconium may indicate other conditions like cystic fibrosis or Hirschsprung disease, not directly related to meconium aspiration syndrome. Carbon dioxide retention (choice D) is not a primary consideration in meconium aspiration syndrome; instead, the focus is on addressing the airway obstruction and potential respiratory compromise.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Growth restriction in weight, length, and chest and head circumference. Infants born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy exhibit growth failure in weight, length, chest, and head circumference. This growth failure is directly related to the number of cigarettes smoked by the mother. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because infants exposed to maternal smoking do not tend to be large for gestational age, experience growth restriction in weight only, or be preterm but size appropriate for gestational age.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because sitting steadily typically occurs closer to 6-8 months of age, not 3 or 4 months. Choice A is incorrect because sitting ability and the age of first tooth eruption are not related. Choice B and C are incorrect as most infants do not sit steadily at 3 or 4 months, and it is more common for infants to achieve this milestone around 6-8 months.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. A total weight gain of 15 lb in one year for a 2-year-old is excessive and may indicate an underlying issue such as a metabolic disorder or overfeeding. This rapid weight gain can put the child at risk for health problems. Choices A, B, and C are not typically concerning findings in a 2-year-old. A prominent abdomen can be normal at this age due to a toddler's slightly protruding belly, a forward curve of the spine at the sacral area is a typical finding in young children, and an increase in height of 5 inches in a year is within the expected range of growth for a 2-year-old.