A nurse on an oncology unit is assessing a child who has a brain tumor. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A reason: Keeping the baby in an upright position after feedings is an effective strategy to prevent or reduce gastroesophageal reflux, as it allows gravity to help the stomach contents stay down. The parent should hold the baby upright for at least 20 to 30 minutes after each feeding, and avoid placing the baby in a car seat or swing, which can increase the abdominal pressure.

Choice B reason: Feeding the baby formula rather than breast milk is not necessary for gastroesophageal reflux, as breast milk is easier to digest and less likely to cause reflux than formula. The parent should continue to breastfeed the baby, unless there is a medical reason to switch to formula. The parent should also avoid overfeeding the baby, and burp the baby frequently during and after feedings.

Choice C reason: Positioning the baby lying on his stomach is not recommended for gastroesophageal reflux, as it can increase the risk of aspiration, suffocation, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The parent should place the baby on his back to sleep, and elevate the head of the crib or bassinet by 30 degrees to reduce the reflux.

Choice D reason: Thickening the baby's formula with honey is not advised for gastroesophageal reflux, as honey can cause botulism, a serious and potentially fatal illness, in infants under one year of age. The parent should not add any thickening agents to the formula, unless prescribed by the provider. Some studies suggest that thickening the formula with rice cereal may reduce the reflux, but the evidence is inconclusive and the practice may have adverse effects, such as increased caloric intake, constipation, or food allergies.

Choice A reason: Tracheoesophageal fistula is a congenital anomaly that results from an abnormal connection between the trachea and the esophagus. It causes respiratory distress, choking, coughing, and cyanosis during feeding, and increased risk of aspiration pneumonia.

Choice B reason: Inguinal hernia is a protrusion of abdominal organs through the inguinal canal into the scrotum or labia. It causes a bulge in the groin area that may increase in size with crying or straining. It may also cause pain, vomiting, and impaired blood flow to the herniated tissue.

Choice C reason: Intussusception is a telescoping of one segment of the bowel into another, causing obstruction and impaired blood supply. It causes a palpable mass in the upper right quadrant, stools mixed with blood and mucus (resembling currant jelly), abdominal pain, vomiting, and shock.

Choice D reason: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is a narrowing of the pyloric sphincter due to hypertrophy of the surrounding muscle. It causes projectile vomiting, dehydration, weight loss, and a palpable olive-shaped mass in the upper right quadrant.