The nurse caring for a 14-year-old girl with DI understands which of the following about this disorder?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Diabetes Insipidus (DI) is a condition characterized by the inability of the kidneys to conserve water, leading to excessive thirst and excretion of large volumes of dilute urine. Central DI, the most common form in children, is treated with a synthetic form of the hormone vasopressin, also known as desmopressin. Vasopressin helps the kidneys to retain water, thereby reducing urine output and preventing excessive dehydration. Since DI is a chronic condition, treatment with vasopressin is typically required on a lifelong basis to manage symptoms and prevent complications. It is important for healthcare providers to understand the long-term nature of DI treatment in order to provide appropriate care and support to patients with this condition.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Monitoring head circumference is essential in children with meningitis to assess for possible development of hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a potentially serious complication that can occur following meningitis. An increase in head circumference can indicate the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain due to hydrocephalus. Regularly measuring the head circumference allows healthcare providers to detect any early signs of hydrocephalus and take appropriate actions such as further imaging or intervention. Monitoring for convulsions, assessing pupil size, and watching for vomiting are important aspects of care for a child with meningitis but are not specific to monitoring for hydrocephalus.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Strabismus, or misalignment of the eyes, is a common condition in newborns due to the lack of binocularity. Binocularity refers to the ability of both eyes to focus simultaneously on a single point, which is not fully developed in newborns. As a result, it is normal for a newborn's eyes to appear misaligned at times. This lack of coordination between the eyes typically resolves as the infant's visual system matures and they develop the ability to focus both eyes together. Therefore, the presence of strabismus in a newborn is usually considered a normal finding related to the immature visual development rather than a sign of pathology such as congenital cataracts, absence of red reflex, or pupil reactivity issues.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The nurse should inform the mother that the baby can be discharged once the Plastibell rim falls off. The Plastibell method involves placing a small plastic ring over the foreskin, which cuts off circulation and causes the foreskin to fall off on its own within a week to 10 days after the procedure. Once the Plastibell rim has fallen off, it indicates that the circumcision site has healed, and the baby is ready to be discharged. The other options, such as the newborn voiding, receiving vitamin K, or yellow exudate forming over the glans, are important aspects of post-circumcision care but are not indicative of the baby being ready for discharge.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. This virus has an affinity for sensory nerve fibers, particularly those located in the posterior root ganglia and the posterior horn of the spinal cord. When the virus becomes reactivated, it travels along these nerves to the skin, leading to the characteristic painful rash and blisters that are seen in herpes zoster. The involvement of these specific nerve fibers explains the typical dermatomal distribution of the rash in shingles.