A nurse is caring for an infant who has a hydrocele. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A reason: The inability to retract foreskin is not typically associated with epispadias. This condition is characterized by the urethral opening being on the dorsal side of the penis.

Choice B reason: In epispadias, the urethral opening is located on the dorsal side of the penis, which is a key characteristic of this condition.

Choice C reason: A widened pubic symphysis is often seen in epispadias due to the associated pelvic bone structure abnormalities.

Choice D reason: Bladder exstrophy is commonly associated with epispadias and involves the bladder being exposed outside the abdomen.

Choice A reason:
Bowel sounds are a general indicator of intestinal activity and can be assessed in patients with various conditions. However, they are not specific to the effectiveness of Esomeprazole, which is primarily used to reduce gastric acid production and prevent stress ulcers, particularly in patients with burn injuries⁷.

Choice B reason:
Stool frequency may indicate gastrointestinal motility and function but does not directly assess the effectiveness of Esomeprazole. This drug's main role is to decrease stomach acidity, which would not necessarily change stool frequency unless there was a pre-existing issue related to acid production⁷.

Choice C reason:
Abdominal distention can be caused by a variety of factors, including gas, fluid, or enlargement of organs. While it's important to monitor in burn patients, it does not specifically evaluate the effectiveness of Esomeprazole in preventing gastric acid-related complications⁷.

Choice D reason:
A fecal occult blood test is used to detect bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, which could signify the development of stress ulcers. Since Esomeprazole is prescribed to prevent such ulcers by reducing stomach acid, this test is a direct measure of the drug's effectiveness in burn patients⁷.