The nurse is admitting an infant who has severe growth deficiency and facial characteristics of indistinct philtrum, a thin upper lip, and short palpebral fissures. Which question should the nurse ask to assess the cause of these clinical findings?

Question

The nurse is admitting an infant who has severe growth deficiency and facial characteristics of indistinct philtrum, a thin upper lip, and short palpebral fissures.  Which question should the nurse ask to assess the cause of these clinical findings?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

11ecbb05_cac7_e0cf_b433_7181dca74508_MD0009_00 Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a leading cause of intellectual disability and developmental delay in the United States. Diagnosis includes history of prenatal exposure to any amount of alcohol, growth deficiency, neurological symptoms (eg, microcephaly), or specific facial characteristics (indistinct philtrum, thin upper lip, epicanthal folds, flat midface, and short palpebral fissures). Asking about alcohol use during pregnancy can identify newborns and infants who are at risk for FAS. Family support, early intervention, and prevention for subsequent pregnancies are important for families with an infant with this diagnosis. (Option A) Advanced maternal age has been associated with a higher incidence of trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). Characteristic features include a single palmar crease and a short neck with excess skin (nuchal fold). (Option B) Cigarette smoking is linked to perinatal loss, sudden infant death syndrome, low birth weight, and prematurity. Specific facial characteristics or syndromes are not typically caused by tobacco exposure in utero. (Option D) Valproate (Depakote), a medication used to control seizures, is an FDA pregnancy category D drug that can cause neural tube defects such as spina bifida, but not the distinct facial features of FAS. Educational objective: Consumption of any amount of alcohol during pregnancy places a fetus at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome. Clinical manifestations include intellectual disability, developmental delay, and distinct facial characteristics (indistinct philtrum, thin upper lip, epicanthal folds, flat midface, and short palpebral fissures).

The Nurse Is Admitting an Infant Who Has Severe Growth