The mother of a child with cognitive impairment calls the nurse because her son has been gagging and drooling all morning.The nurse suspects foreign body ingestion.What physiologic occurrence is most likely responsible for the presenting signs?
A) Gastrointestinal perforation may have occurred.
B) The object may have been aspirated.
C) The object may be lodged in the esophagus.
D) The object may be embedded in stomach wall.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Gagging and drooling may be signs of esophageal obstruction.The child is unable to swallow saliva,which contributes to the drooling.Signs of gastrointestinal (GI)perforation include chest or abdominal pain and evidence of bleeding in the GI tract.If the object was aspirated,the child would most likely have coughing,choking,inability to speak,or difficulty breathing.If the object was embedded in the stomach wall,it would not result in symptoms of gagging and drooling.

The Mother of a Child with Cognitive Impairment Calls the Nurse