A nurse is preparing to care for an infant with a diagnosis of intussusception. The nurse reviews the child's record and expects to note which symptom of this disorder documented?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse reviews the child's record and expects to note the symptom of bright red blood and mucus in the stools. Intussusception is a telescoping of one portion of the bowel into another. The condition results in an obstruction to the passage of intestinal contents. The child with intussusception typically has severe abdominal pain that is crampy and intermittent, causing the child to draw in the knees to the chest. Vomiting may be present, but is not projectile. Bright red blood and mucus are passed through the rectum and commonly are described as currant jelly-like stools. Watery diarrhea and ribbon-like stools are not manifestations of this disorder.

A Nurse Is Preparing to Care for an Infant with a Diagnosis