What interventions will the nurse perform when feeding a child with pyloric stenosis? (Select all that apply)

Choice A reason: Right-side positioning after feeding may reduce reflux in some infants but is less effective than upright positioning, which uses gravity to keep stomach contents down. Right-side lying also poses a sudden infant death syndrome risk, making it less ideal than upright positioning for managing gastroesophageal reflux in infants.

Choice B reason: Prone positioning is contraindicated for infants due to increased sudden infant death syndrome risk. It does not effectively reduce gastroesophageal reflux compared to upright positioning, which leverages gravity to prevent regurgitation. Prone positioning is unsafe and not recommended, making it an incorrect choice for reflux management.

Choice C reason: Left-side positioning is not optimal for gastroesophageal reflux, as it may not prevent stomach contents from refluxing into the esophagus. Upright positioning is more effective, using gravity to minimize regurgitation and esophagitis. Left-side lying also carries sleep-related risks, making it less appropriate than upright positioning.

Choice D reason: Upright positioning after feeding is optimal for gastroesophageal reflux, as gravity keeps stomach contents from refluxing into the esophagus, reducing regurgitation and esophageal irritation. This position minimizes aspiration risk and promotes comfort, making it the recommended choice for infants with reflux to prevent complications like esophagitis.

Choice A reason: Hirschsprung’s disease involves absent ganglion cells, causing functional obstruction, not a physical “kink” in the intestine. Surgery removes the aganglionic segment, not a structural bend. This statement is incorrect, as it misrepresents the disease’s pathophysiology and surgical goal, indicating a need for further parental education.

Choice B reason: Hirschsprung’s surgery often involves a temporary ostomy to bypass the aganglionic colon, allowing normal bowel function post-resection. The ostomy is typically reversed later. This statement reflects understanding that the ostomy is temporary, aligning with the surgical goal of restoring continuity, indicating correct parental comprehension.

Choice C reason: Normal bowel movements may not occur immediately post-surgery, as a temporary ostomy or recovery period is common in Hirschsprung’s disease. This statement is overly optimistic, suggesting a misunderstanding of the staged surgical process, which includes temporary measures before achieving normal function, requiring further clarification.

Choice D reason: Feeding tubes are not typically required in Hirschsprung’s surgery, which addresses colonic dysfunction, not feeding issues. This statement indicates a misunderstanding of the procedure’s purpose, which is to restore bowel function via resection or ostomy, not nutritional support, making it incorrect and irrelevant to the surgical goal.