Chapter 22

The nurse has been teaching the parents of a child diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta about the use of bisphosphonates for this condition. What statement by a parent indicates a need for further education?

"This medication will cure my child of this disorder."

The nurse is conducting a physical examination of a 10-year-old boy with a suspected neuromuscular disorder. Which finding is a sign of Duchenne muscular dystrophy?

Gowers sign

Through which mechanism is Duchenne muscular dystrophy acquired?

heredity

The parents of a infant born with an abnormality on the back are told by the neonatologist that their child has a myelomeningocele. They ask the nurse what exactly that means. Which would be the nurse's best reply?

"It is a herniation through the skin of the back of your child with both the spinal cord and nerve roots involved."

A nurse is assisting the parents of an infant who requires a Pavlik harness. The parents are apprehensive about how to care for their infant and concerned about holding and playing with the infant. How can the nurse best assist the parents?

"Let's put you in touch with other families who have experienced this."

The nurse is caring for a 10-year-old boy who plays on two soccer teams. He practices four days a week and his team travels to tournaments once a month. He has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in one of his vertebrae. Which instruction is most important to emphasize to the boy and his parents?

"You and your coaches need to understand that you cannot play soccer for at least six weeks."

The nurse is caring for a child who has just had a plaster cast applied to the arm. The nurse is correct in performing which action with this child?

Handling the cast with open palms when moving the arm.

The nurse is caring for a 10-year-old girl in traction. The girl is experiencing muscle spasms associated with the traction. What would the nurse expect to administer if ordered?

diazepam

The nurse is caring for a child with rickets. Which diagnostic test result would the nurse expect to find in the child's medical record?

low serum calcium levels

A nurse is conducting a physical examination of a 5-year-old boy with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 2. What assessment findings would the nurse expect to find?

pectus excavatum ("funnel chest"