Question 1

A child is brought to the pediatric clinic because he has been vomiting for the past 2 days. An acid-base imbalance that the nurse would expect to occur from this persistent vomiting is:

Accepted Answer

Hydrochloric acid and sodium chloride from the stomach are lost from persistent vomiting. This results in alkalosis.

Question 2

An appropriate intervention for a 3-month-old infant who has gastroesophageal reflux is to:

Accepted Answer

After feedings, the infant is placed in a prone position to avoid increased intraabdominal pressure.

Question 3

The nurse explains that the treatment of choice for a child with intussusception is:

Accepted Answer

A barium enema is the treatment of choice for intussusception because the passage of the barium frequently "un-telescopes" the bowel. Surgery is scheduled only if reduction is not achieved.

Question 4

A child has been diagnosed with ascariasis (roundworm). The statement made by her mother that may suggest a cause for her condition is:

Accepted Answer

The child can ingest roundworm eggs from contaminated soil.

Question 5

The nurse would expect the stools of a child with celiac disease to have which appearance?

Accepted Answer

Celiac disease causes malabsorption. Stools that are large, bulky, and frothy may indicate malabsorption.

Question 6

On the second day of hospitalization for a 3-month-old brought in for treatment for gastroenteritis, the nurse makes all of the assessments listed below. Which assessment finding indicates ineffectiveness of treatment?

Accepted Answer

Weight loss is the most significant indicator of dehydration because an infant's weight is comprised of 77% water.

Question 7

A mother reports that her child has been scratching the anal area and complaining of itching. Based on this information, the nurse might suspect this child has:

Accepted Answer

With pinworms, the nurse or parent may notice that the child scratches the anal area and complains of itchiness. The other choices do not cause this reaction.

Question 8

Intussusception would be suspected when parents describe the child's stools as:

Accepted Answer

Bowel movements of blood and mucus that contain no feces ("currant jelly" stools) are common about 12 hours after the onset of the obstruction.

Question 9

The nurse interviewing parents of an infant with pyloric stenosis would expect the parents to report if the infant has had:

Accepted Answer

Vomiting is the outstanding symptom of pyloric stenosis. Food is ejected with considerable force, which is described as projectile vomiting.

Question 10

The finding in a newborn suggestive of tracheoesophageal fistula is:

Accepted Answer

After birth, a newborn with tracheoesophageal fistula will vomit and choke when the first feeding is introduced.

Question 11

The nurse that is teaching a parent about pyrvinium (Povan) would include the information that the drug will cause:

Accepted Answer

The nurse should advise parents that pyrvinium stains clothing and turns stools red.

Question 12

A mother reports that her 2-year-old child experiences constipation frequently. The nurse would recommend to the mother to include what food in the child's diet?

Accepted Answer

Dietary modifications for constipation include eating more high-roughage foods such as whole-grain breads and cereals.

Question 13

Parents ask the nurse how their infant developed a Meckel's diverticulum. The nurse's response is based on the knowledge that this condition occurs when:

Accepted Answer

If the vitelline duct fails to disappear completely after birth, a blind pouch may form.

Question 14

The nurse is aware that rapid respirations are a possible cause of dehydration because they:

Accepted Answer

Rapid respirations cause increased insensible fluid loss.

Question 15

The nurse, planning a parent education program about lead poisoning prevention, would include the information that the sources of lead in the community are most likely:

Accepted Answer

The primary source of lead is paint from old, deteriorating buildings.

Question 16

After reviewing dietary restrictions for celiac disease, the nurse determines that a parent understands the information when she states that a grain that can be eaten by a child with celiac disease is:

Accepted Answer

Rice is a gluten-free grain that can be eaten by children afflicted with celiac disease. These children will have a lifelong restriction of wheat, oats, barley, and rye.

Question 17

A child is brought to the emergency department because he ingested an unknown quantity of acetaminophen (Tylenol). After gastric lavage is completed, the nurse might expect this child to receive:

Accepted Answer

Gastric lavage is followed by N-acetylcysteine (Mucomyst), the antidote for acetaminophen.

Question 18

The instruction the nurse would give to parents about preventing the spread and reinfection of pinworms is to:

Accepted Answer

One intervention to prevent the further spread of pinworms is to keep the child's fingernails short. Pinworms are not spread from person to person.

Question 19

A frightened mother calls the pediatrician's office because her child swallowed dishwashing detergent. The most appropriate action is to:

Accepted Answer

Inducing vomiting is no longer recommended because it may pose additional problems. The child should be taken immediately to the nearest emergency department along with the packaging of the ingested substance.

Question 20

An infant is admitted to the hospital with severe isotonic dehydration. In planning the infant's care, the nurse is aware the infant is at risk for:

Accepted Answer

Shock is the greatest threat to life in isotonic dehydration.

Quiz 28: The Child with a Gastrointestinal Condition