A nurse is collecting data from an infant who has Hirschsprung's disease. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?
Abdominal distention.
Steatorrhea.
Blood-tinged emesis.
Dysphagia.
The Correct Answer is A
Abdominal distention. Choice A reason:
Abdominal distention is a common manifestation of Hirschsprung's disease in infants. This condition is characterized by the absence of ganglion cells in the distal segment of the colon, leading to a functional obstruction. The absence of ganglion cells causes the affected part of the colon to become narrow and unable to relax, resulting in a buildup of stool and gas, leading to abdominal distention.
Choice B reason:
Steatorrhea, which is the presence of fatty, bulky, and foul-smelling stools, is not typically associated with Hirschsprung's disease. This manifestation is more commonly seen in conditions affecting the pancreas, liver, or small intestine, where the digestion and absorption of fats are impaired.
Choice C reason:
Blood-tinged emesis (vomiting) is not a typical manifestation of Hirschsprung's disease. This symptom is more commonly associated with gastrointestinal bleeding, which can be caused by various factors such as ulcers, esophageal varices, or gastritis.
Choice D reason:
Dysphagia, which refers to difficulty swallowing, is also not a characteristic manifestation of Hirschsprung's disease. Dysphagia is more commonly seen in conditions affecting the esophagus or throat, such as esophageal strictures or neurological disorders affecting swallowing reflexes.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: The nurse should plan to ask the client to empty their bladder before performing Leopold maneuvers. The rationale behind this is to ensure that the client's bladder is empty to allow for better palpation of the uterus and fetal position. A full bladder can interfere with accurate assessment and may lead to incorrect findings during the examination.
Choice B reason:
The nurse should assist the client into a left-lateral position. This position is ideal for performing Leopold maneuvers because it helps to displace the uterus away from the vena cava, reducing the risk of supine hypotension syndrome. Moreover, the left-lateral position promotes optimal blood flow to the placenta, which is essential for the well-being of the fetus during the examination.
Choice C reason:
The nurse should apply an external fetal monitor to the client's abdomen after completing the Leopold maneuvers. The purpose of Leopold maneuvers is to determine the fetal position and presentation manually. Once this information is obtained, applying the external fetal monitor allows continuous monitoring of the fetal heart rate and uterine contractions to assess the baby's well-being and the progression of labor.
Choice D reason:
The nurse should not instruct the client to perform nipple stimulation when planning to assist with Leopold maneuvers. Nipple stimulation is a method to induce or augment labor, and it is not related to the process of assessing fetal position and presentation using Leopold maneuvers. It may lead to unnecessary contractions and confusion during the examination.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Airborne precautions are implemented for diseases that spread through small airborne particles, such as tuberculosis or measles. These diseases can remain suspended in the air for extended periods and be inhaled by others. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is primarily spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, making airborne precautions unnecessary.
Choice B reason:

Droplet precautions are appropriate for illnesses that spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. Pertussis falls into this category as it is transmitted mainly through respiratory droplets. By implementing droplet precautions, the nurse will minimize the risk of transmission to others, including healthcare workers and other patients.
Choice C reason:
Standard precautions are the baseline infection prevention practices used for all patients to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings. While important, they may not be sufficient to control the transmission of pertussis, as it requires additional measures like droplet precautions due to its specific mode of transmission.
Choice D reason:
Neutropenic precautions are used for patients with compromised immune systems, particularly those with low white blood cell counts (neutropenia). The purpose is to protect these vulnerable individuals from exposure to infectious agents. However, pertussis precautions are different and do not fall under the neutropenic category.
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