A nurse in an emergency department is assessing an infant who is dehydrated. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Irritability
Tetany
slow, bounding pulse
Decreased temperature
The Correct Answer is A
The nurse should expect to find irritability in an infant who is dehydrated. Dehydration in infants can lead to changes in behavior and irritability due to the imbalance in fluid and electrolytes. Other common signs of dehydration in infants may include:
Poor skin turgor (skin tenting)
Sunken fontanelles (soft spots on the baby's head)
Dry mucous membranes (dry mouth and tongue)
Decreased urine output or concentrated urine
Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
Increased respiratory rate
Sunken eyes
Decreased tears when crying
B. Tetany is a condition characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and is more commonly associated with hypocalcemia (low calcium levels) rather than dehydration.
C. A slow, bounding pulse is not typically associated with dehydration. Dehydration often leads to a rapid heart rate (tachycardia) as the body attempts to compensate for the loss of fluid.
D. Decreased temperature is not a typical finding in dehydration. Dehydration can lead to fever in some cases due to an underlying infection, but it does not cause a decrease in body temperature on its own.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. "I will keep my baby in an upright position after feedings."
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a condition where the stomach contents flow back into the esophagus, which can cause spitting up or regurgitation in infants. Keeping the baby in an upright position after feedings can help reduce the likelihood of reflux episodes. By holding the baby in an upright position for about 30 minutes after feeding, gravity can aid in keeping the stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus.
The other statements are incorrect or do not address the management of gastroesophageal reflux:
B. "My baby's formula can be thickened with oatmeal." - Thickening formula with oatmeal is not a standard recommendation for managing GER in infants. In some cases, thickening formulas may be recommended, but it should be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
C. "I should position my baby side-lying during sleep." A side-lying position is not recommended for sleep in infants, as it increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The safe sleep position for infants is on their back.
D. "I will have to feed my baby formula rather than breast milk." - The type of feeding (formula or breast milk) does not directly impact the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux. Both breast milk and formula can cause reflux in some infants. It is essential to discuss feeding options with a healthcare provider to determine the best approach for the individual infant's needs.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
In an infant with a history of vomiting and fever, body weight is the most reliable indicator of fluid loss. Monitoring the infant's weight over time can help assess the degree of dehydration and guide the appropriate fluid replacement therapy. A significant decrease in body weight suggests significant fluid loss.
Option A: Skin integrity is important to assess for signs of dehydration, but it is not as reliable as body weight in determining the extent of fluid loss.
Option B: Respiratory rate can be affected by various factors and is not a direct indicator of fluid loss.
Option D: Blood pressure is not the most reliable indicator of fluid loss in an infant with dehydration. In severe cases of dehydration, blood pressure can drop, but it is not as sensitive as body weight in assessing the extent of fluid loss.
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