A nurse is assessing a pediatric client who may have osteogenesis imperfecta. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect to find? (Select all that apply)

Choice A reason: Genetic disorders affecting muscles, like muscular dystrophy, are distinct from cerebral palsy, which results from brain injury. Cerebral palsy is caused by perinatal brain damage, not inherited muscle disorders, making this statement incorrect as a primary cause of the condition.

Choice B reason: Lack of oxygen to the fetus, or perinatal hypoxia, damages developing brain tissue, causing cerebral palsy. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy disrupts motor control areas, leading to movement and posture impairments, a well-established cause of this neurological condition in infants.

Choice C reason: Poor diet during pregnancy is not a direct cause of cerebral palsy. While malnutrition may affect fetal development, cerebral palsy is primarily linked to brain injury from hypoxia, trauma, or infection, not dietary deficiencies, making this statement inaccurate.

Choice D reason: Birth trauma, such as prolonged labor or forceps use, can cause brain injury leading to cerebral palsy. Physical trauma disrupts motor control regions, resulting in permanent neurological deficits, making this a significant risk factor for the condition in newborns.

Choice E reason: Premature babies are at higher risk for cerebral palsy due to underdeveloped brains vulnerable to hypoxia, hemorrhage, or infection. Preterm birth increases the likelihood of periventricular leukomalacia, damaging motor pathways, a key contributor to cerebral palsy’s neurological impairments.

Choice A reason: Baclofen is not primarily a pain reliever. It is a muscle relaxant used in cerebral palsy to reduce spasticity. Post-surgical pain is managed with analgesics, not baclofen, which targets muscle tone rather than nociceptive pathways, making this response incorrect.

Choice B reason: Baclofen does not prevent seizures. It reduces muscle spasticity in cerebral palsy by acting on GABA receptors in the spinal cord. Anticonvulsants, like levetiracetam, are used for seizures, which are not a universal feature of cerebral palsy, making this inaccurate.

Choice C reason: Baclofen is not used for bladder control in cerebral palsy. While spasticity can affect bladder function, medications like oxybutynin target bladder issues. Baclofen focuses on skeletal muscle relaxation, not smooth muscle in the bladder, making this an incorrect response.

Choice D reason: Baclofen is a muscle relaxant that reduces spasticity in cerebral palsy by inhibiting spinal reflexes via GABA receptors. Post-hamstring surgery, it controls muscle spasms, improving mobility and comfort, making this the correct explanation for its use in this condition.