What nursing action will the nurse implement after feeding an infant with hydrocephalus?
Maternity test bank questions chapter 141. What occurrence results from obstruction within the ventricles of the brain or inadequatereabsorption of cerebrospinal fluid?a. Meningitisb. Meningocelec. Spina bifida occultad. Hydrocephalus Show
2. The nurse is caring for an infant with hydrocephalus. What nursing action is most important for thisnurse to implement? Get answer to your question and much more 3. The nurse observes that the infant’s anterior fontanelle is bulging after placement of aventriculoperitoneal shunt. How should the nurse position this infant? Get answer to your question and much more 4. What nursing action will the nurse implement after feeding an infant with hydrocephalus? Get answer to your question and much more 5. A newborn was just admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit with a meningomyelocele. What isthe priority preoperative nursing care of this newborn? Background: Infants with congenital or posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus may require a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt to divert the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, thus preventing increase in intracranial pressure. Knowledge on various aspects of caring for a child with a VP shunt will enable new and experienced nurses to better care for these infants and equip parents for ongoing care at home. Purpose: To review the nurses' role in care of infants with hydrocephalus, care after VP shunt placement, prevention of complications, and parental preparation for home care. Methods/search strategy: A literature review involving electronic databases, such as CINAHL and MEDLINE, Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews, and resources from the Web sites of the National Hydrocephalus Foundation and Hydrocephalus Association, was performed to gather evidence for current practice information. Findings and implications for practice and research: Vigilant care can help with early identification of potential complications. The younger the infant at VP shunt placement, the higher the occurrence of complications. All neonatal intensive care unit nurses must be equipped with knowledge and skills to care for infants with hydrocephalus and those who undergo VP shunt placement. Monitoring for early signs of increased intracranial pressure can facilitate timely diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention. Equipping families will be helpful in early identification and timely management of shunt failure. Research on infants with VP shunt placement is essential to develop appropriate guidelines and explore experiences of families to identify caregiver burden and improve parental preparation. Hydrocephalus is a condition characterized by an excess of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricular and subarachnoid spaces of the cranial cavity.
What is Hydrocephalus?Hydrocephalus affects hundreds of thousands of Americans, in every stage of life, from infants to the elderly.
ClassificationThere are two types of hydrocephalus:
PathophysiologyThe pathophysiology of hydrocephalus occurs as follows:
Statistics and IncidencesHydrocephalus cases are affecting the entire world every day.
CausesCauses usually are genetic factors and how the fetus develops.
Clinical ManifestationsClinical features of hydrocephalus are influenced by the patients age, the cause of the hydrocephalus, the location of the obstruction, its duration, and its rapidity of onset.
Assessment and Diagnostic FindingsExamination in infants may include the following:
Medical ManagementThe goal of treatment in clients with hydrocephalus is to reduce or prevent brain damage by improving the flow of CSF which may include surgery to provide shunting for drainage of the excess fluid from the ventricles to an extracranial space such as the peritoneum or right atrium (in older children) or management with medications to reduce ICP if progression is slow or surgery is contraindicated. Pharmacologic TherapyThe following medications are used to treat hydrocephalus.
Surgical ManagementSurgical intervention is the only effective means of relieving brain pressure and preventing additional damage to the brain tissue.
Nursing ManagementManaging a child with hydrocephalus warrants skill and compassion for nurses and all the members of the healthcare team. Nursing AssessmentAccurate information is essential in the assessment of the child with hydrocephalus.
Nursing DiagnosesBased on the assessment data, the major nursing diagnoses are:
Nursing Care Planning and GoalsMain Article: 5 Hydrocephalus Nursing Care Plans The goals for the care of the newborn with hydrocephalus include:
Nursing InterventionsNursing interventions for the newborn with hydrocephalus include:
EvaluationGoals met are evidenced by:
Documentation GuidelinesDocumentation for a patient with hydrocephalus includes:
Practice Quiz: HydrocephalusHeres a 5-item quiz about the study guide. Please visit our nursing test bank page for more NCLEX practice questions. 1. Bennett was rushed to the emergency department with possible increased intracranial pressure (ICP); which of the following is an early clinical manifestation of increased ICP in older children? (Select all that apply.) A. Macewens sign. 1. Answer: D. Diplopia. Diplopia is an early sign of increased ICP in an older child.
2. While performing a physical examination on a newborn, which assessment should be reported to the physician? A. Head circumference of 40 cm. 2. Answer: A. Head circumference of 40 cm. Average circumference of the head for a neonate ranges between 32 to 36 cm; an increase in size may indicate hydrocephalus or increased intracranial pressure.
3. Tiffany is diagnosed with increased intracranial pressure (ICP); which of the following if stated by her parents would indicate a need for Nurse Charlie to reexplain the purpose of elevating the head of the bed at a 10 to 20-degree angle? A. Help alleviate headache. 3. Answer: B. Increase intrathoracic pressure Head elevation decreases, not increases, intrathoracic pressure.
4. While examining a 2-year-old child, the nurse in charge sees that the anterior fontanel is open. The nurse should: 4. Answer: A. Notify the doctor. Because the anterior fontanel normally closes between ages 12 and 18 months, the nurse should notify the doctor promptly of this finding.
5. A parent brings a toddler, age 19 months, to the clinic for a regular check-up. When palpating the toddlers fontanels, what should the nurse expect to find? A. Closed anterior fontanel and open posterior fontanel. 5. Answer: C. Closed anterior and posterior fontanels. By age 18 months, the anterior and posterior fontanels should be closed.
Which nursing interventions are appropriate for an infant with hydrocephalus?Nursing interventions for the newborn with hydrocephalus include:. Preventing injury. ... . Promoting skin integrity. ... . Preventing infection. ... . Promoting growth and development. ... . Reducing family anxiety. ... . Providing family teaching.. What is the management of hydrocephalus?The most common treatment for hydrocephalus is the surgical insertion of a drainage system, called a shunt. It consists of a long, flexible tube with a valve that keeps fluid from the brain flowing in the right direction and at the proper rate. One end of the tubing is usually placed in one of the brain's ventricles.
How is hydrocephalus treated in newborns?Shunt placement: This is the most common treatment for hydrocephalus. During the procedure, a shunt (a thin, flexible tube) is placed in the brain or spinal cord to drain the extra fluid. A one-way valve on the shunt regulates the flow of fluid. Many shunts can also be adjusted externally, using a magnetic device.
Which assessment is the most objective on the infants with hydrocephalus?It manifests itself as an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricular system of the brain with its subsequent progression. One of the most important diagnostic methods of identifying hydrocephalus is Computer Tomography (CT). The enlarged ventricular system is clearly visible on CT scans.
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