A nurse is collecting data from a child who has been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? (Select All that Apply.)
Delayed motor development
Lung defects
Scoliosis
Insomnia
Muscle weakness
Correct Answer : A,C,E
A. Delayed motor development. Children with muscular dystrophy often experience delayed milestones, such as difficulty walking, running, or climbing stairs. This is due to progressive muscle weakness, which affects motor skill acquisition.
B. Lung defects. While respiratory muscle weakness can occur in later stages of muscular dystrophy, congenital lung defects are not a primary characteristic of the condition. Respiratory complications typically arise due to muscle deterioration rather than structural lung defects.
C. Scoliosis. Progressive muscle weakness leads to postural instability, increasing the risk of scoliosis (abnormal spinal curvature). This is particularly common in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) as the muscles supporting the spine weaken.
D. Insomnia. Sleep disturbances are not a primary symptom of muscular dystrophy. However, respiratory complications or discomfort in later stages may contribute to sleep issues, but insomnia is not a defining feature.
E. Muscle weakness. Progressive muscle weakness is the hallmark of muscular dystrophy. It typically starts in the proximal muscles (hips, thighs, shoulders) and worsens over time, leading to mobility challenges and loss of independence.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D"]
Explanation
A. Provide frequent and routine verbal updates with the parents. Regular updates help reduce parental anxiety and build trust between the healthcare team and the family. Keeping parents informed reassures them that their child is receiving appropriate care.
B. Encourage the parents to participate in the toddler's plan of care when appropriate. Involving parents in simple caregiving tasks (e.g., soothing the child, assisting with feedings) fosters a sense of control and connection, easing their distress.
C. Perform more frequent health care rounds on the toddler. Increased monitoring ensures early detection of respiratory complications and reassures parents that their child's condition is being closely managed.
D. Conduct interprofessional rounds at the child's bedside so the parents can be included. Including parents in bedside rounds allows them to hear updates from multiple specialists, ask questions, and feel more engaged in decision-making regarding their child's care.
E. Reinforce education to the parents on all nursing interventions to alleviate added anxiety about tasks they are unfamiliar with. While educating parents is important, overwhelming them with detailed explanations of every intervention may actually increase anxiety rather than alleviate it. Teaching should be concise and tailored to what the parents need to know at the moment.
F. Provide the parents with the nurse's personal cell phone number to contact if they have questions while they are away from the hospital. Personal phone numbers should not be given out for professional and ethical reasons. Instead, parents should be provided with the hospital unit’s contact information for any concerns.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Print out a copy of the asthma action plan and thoroughly review it with the child and the school nurse prior to discharge. While an asthma action plan is essential, it is not sufficient if the parent is not actively engaged. The parent also needs education and support to properly manage the child's condition at home.
B. Write out a detailed schedule of the child's medications and a list of their healthcare providers’ addresses and phone numbers in case they should need it. Providing a medication schedule is helpful, but it does not address the root issue—parental disengagement. Simply handing out information does not ensure the parent understands or feels empowered to manage the child's asthma.
C. Empower the child's parent to help manage the asthma by offering comprehensive education on the condition, treatment plan, and managing potential complications at home. Parental education and engagement are crucial for managing uncontrolled asthma. Offering clear explanations, demonstrating medication use (such as inhalers and spacers), and discussing signs of worsening asthma can help the parent feel more confident and involved in their child’s care.
D. Contact child protective services to intervene in the family since the child's parent does not seem adequately prepared to manage the client's illness at home. CPS involvement is not appropriate unless there are signs of medical neglect (e.g., refusal to seek care, persistent non-adherence). In this case, the best first step is education and support to encourage parental involvement.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.