A child is hospitalized after a serious motor vehicle crash and has developed increased urination. What action by the nurse takes priority?

Hydrocephalus refers to a condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation ofcerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricles of the brain. In infants, hydrocephalus cancause the head to enlarge rapidly as a result of the increased pressure exerted by theaccumulatingfluid.Thisisknownas"rapidheadgrowth."Theincreasedintracranialpressurecanlead to irritabilityand poorappetite in infants.

The distended scalp veins are another common sign of hydrocephalus. As the fluidaccumulates,itputs pressureon thebloodvessels inthe brain,causingtheveinsin thescalptobecome morevisible and distended.

Cerebral palsy in (option A) is incorrect because is a neurological disorder that affects bodymovementandmusclecoordination,butitdoesnottypicallypresentwithrapid headgrowthordistended scalp veins.

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) in (option B) is incorrect becauseitisacondition characterized byexcessivesecretionofantidiuretichormone,leadingtofluidimbalance, but it does not usually cause rapid head growth or distended scalp veins. Reye'ssyndrome (D) is a rare condition that primarily affects the liver and brain, and it does nottypicallypresent with rapid headgrowthor distended scalp veins.

Therefore, based on the signs described, hydrocephalus (C) is the most likely disorder in thiscase.Itisimportantto seekmedicalattentionpromptlyforaproperdiagnosisand appropriatemanagementofhydrocephalus in infants.

The statement that accurately describes the difference between the central nervous system (CNS) of a child and an adult is option A. The brain of a term infant weighs less than half of the weight of the adult brain. The brain undergoes significant growth and development during childhood and continues to develop until early adulthood. At birth, the brain is only a fraction of its adult weight, and it continues to grow and mature over time.

infant has 150 mL of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compared with 50 mL in the adult in (option B), is incorrect. The volume of CSF in the CNS is not a significant difference between children and adults.

coordination and fine motor skills develop as myelination of peripheral nerves progresses in (option C), is an incorrect statement. Myelination is an ongoing process that occurs throughout childhood and contributes to the development of coordination and fine motor skills.

papilledema is a common manifestation of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in the very young child in (option D), is not correct. Papilledema refers to swelling of the optic disc and is not commonly seen in very young children. Signs of increased ICP in young children may present differently compared to adults and can include altered mental status, irritability, vomiting, and changes in vital signs.