Potential condition- Intussusception

Intussusception is a condition where one part of the intestine folds into another part, causing an obstruction. It is common in infants and toddlers and typically presents with the following signs- Severe abdominal pain, which causes the child to pull their knees to their chest (classic sign of colicky abdominal pain), red, jelly-like stools (which indicate the presence of blood and mucus in the stool) and palpable mass in the right upper quadrant (which could be the telescoping portion of the bowel).

Actions to Take

• Place child on NPO status:

The child should be placed on nothing by mouth (NPO) status to prepare for potential procedures, such as an enema or surgery. This prevents aspiration during any intervention and ensures the bowel is not further irritated by food or liquid intake.

• Prepare child for an air enema:

Air enema is a non-invasive treatment for intussusception. It is often used to reduce the telescoping bowel by using air under fluoroscopic guidance. This treatment can resolve the condition in many cases without the need for surgery. The nurse must ensure the child is properly prepared for this procedure (e.g., ensuring the child is NPO, monitoring vitals, and explaining the procedure to the family).

Parameters to Monitor

• Stool patterns:

Monitoring the stool patterns is essential to assess the progress and severity of intussusception. The presence of red, jelly-like stools (blood and mucus) is characteristic of intussusception, and any changes in stool appearance can help evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. The nurse should monitor if the stool pattern changes after the air enema or surgical intervention.

• Abdominal pain:

Abdominal pain is a hallmark symptom of intussusception, and the nurse should continually assess the child's pain level. The child may experience intermittent, severe cramp-like pain due to the bowel obstruction. Monitoring and managing the pain effectively is crucial for patient comfort and well-being.

A. Improved hydration is important for managing symptoms but is not directly related to the effectiveness of a cool mist humidifier.
B. Stridor is a hallmark sign of airway obstruction and inflammation in laryngotracheobronchitis. A decrease in stridor indicates that the airways are less inflamed and the child is improving, which is a positive outcome of the humidification treatment.
C. A barking cough is characteristic of croup (laryngotracheobronchitis), and while treatment may help reduce symptoms, it may not resolve completely with the use of a humidifier.
D. While a decreased temperature may indicate improvement in a fever, it is not directly tied to the use of a humidifier. Stridor is a more specific sign of airway improvement in this condition.