A nurse is developing a care plan for a child with Hirschsprung disease.
Which intervention is most appropriate?

Choice B rationale

Regular soda contains high amounts of simple sugars, which will rapidly increase blood glucose levels. For a child with type 1 diabetes experiencing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), a quick-acting source of glucose like juice or glucose tablets is preferred over regular soda due to its predictable and faster absorption.

Choice A rationale

Inserting a nasogastric tube for decompression of the abdomen is a standard intervention for suspected Hirschsprung's disease, which is characterized by a lack of ganglion cells in a segment of the colon, leading to impaired motility and potential bowel obstruction. Decompression helps relieve abdominal distension and pressure.

Choice B rationale

NPO status and initiating IV fluids are appropriate initial management for a child with suspected Hirschsprung's disease to rest the bowel and maintain hydration and electrolyte balance while further diagnostic tests are performed.

Choice C rationale

Monitoring abdominal girth every 4 hours is essential to assess for increasing abdominal distension, which can indicate worsening obstruction in Hirschsprung's disease. An increasing girth would warrant further investigation and intervention.

Choice D rationale

Administering a large-volume liquid enema is contraindicated in suspected Hirschsprung's disease. Due to the aganglionic segment's impaired motility, the enema fluid may not be expelled and could lead to fluid overload or bowel perforation. Diagnostic enemas using contrast are performed under controlled conditions.