Chapter 22: Nursing Care of the Child With an Alteration in Mobility/Neuromuscular or Musculoskeletal Disorder

A nurse is caring for an 11-year-old with an Ilizarov fixator and is providing teaching regarding pin care. The nurse should provide which instruction?

"Cleansing by showering should be sufficient." The Ilizarov fixator uses wires that are thinner than ordinary pins, so simply cleansing by showering is usually sufficient to keep the pin site clean.

A nurse is caring for a 6-year-old boy with a fractured ulna. He is fearful about the casting process and is resisting treatment. How should the nurse respond?

"Look over there at the neon fish in our aquarium." The best response for a 6-year-old is to use distraction throughout the cast application. He is resisting the application of the cast, so the best approach at this point is distraction. Telling him that application will not hurt is not helpful; nor is asking the child whether he wants pain medication. It is helpful to enlist the cooperation of the child by showing the child cast materials before beginning the procedure; but if he is resisting treatment, distraction would be the best approach.

The child with a surgically repaired myelomeningocele has a neurogenic bladder. How will the nurse best explain this problem to the parents?

"Old urine remains in the bladder because of poor emptying or overfilling, putting your child at risk for urinary tract infection." Parents need to understand that lack of urinary control is not the greatest problem. The larger threat is of urinary tract infection, which can result in kidney damage. Only one of the responses by the nurse carries the infection message. Continence is important. This along with the infection risk can be managed by clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) or other procedures.

A nurse is providing instructions for home cast care. Which response by the parent indicates a need for further teaching?

"Pale, cool, or blue skin coloration is to be expected." It is very important to teach parents to identify the signs of neurovascular compromise (pale, cool, or blue skin) and tell them to notify the physician immediately. The other statements are correct

A nurse is caring for a 13-year-old boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. He says he feels isolated and that there is no one who understands the challenges of his disease. How should the nurse respond?

"There are a lot of kids with the same type of muscular dystrophy you have at the MDA support group." The best response would be to remind the boy that there are many children with muscular dystrophy that could be found at the local support group. Teenagers do not like to be told that they "have" to do anything. Telling the boy that he needs to be active or simply suggesting activities does not address his concerns.

The nurse is caring for an infant girl in an outpatient setting. The infant has just been diagnosed with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The mother is very upset about the diagnosis and blames herself for her daughter's condition. Which response best addresses the mother's concerns?

"This is not your fault and we will help you with her care and treatment." Because the mother is crying and experiencing the initial shock of the diagnosis, the nurse's primary concern is to support the mother and assure her that she is not to blame for the DDH. While education is important, the nurse should let the mother adjust to the diagnosis and assure her that the baby and her family will be supported now and throughout the treatment period

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." A child with an overuse injury needs to avoid the causative activity for six to eight weeks. The other suggestions are also important, but the nurse must emphasize to the boy and his parents that they must tell the coaches "no soccer for six weeks." In some situations, it is helpful to supply a written directive from the nurse or physician to help the parent avoid undue pressure from coaches

The child has been diagnosed with rickets. The child's mother is educated about the importance of providing the child with 10 micrograms (400 International Units) of an oral vitamin D supplement each day. The child's mother purchases over-the-counter vitamin D drops. The supplement is noted to contain 5 mcg of vitamin D in each 0.5 mL. How much of the supplement should the mother administer to the child each day?

1 The supplement has 5 mcg of vitamin D in each 0.5 mL. The child is supposed to receive 10 mcg each day of supplemental vitamin D. Desired/Have x Quantity = dose 10 mcg/5 mcg x 0.5 mL = 1.0 mL Ratio/proportion: 0.5 mL/5 micrograms = x/10 micrograms = 1.0 mL

A group of students are reviewing information about bone healing in children. The students demonstrate understanding of this information when they state:

A child's bones heal more quickly than those of an adult. Bone healing occurs in the same fashion as in the adult, but it occurs more quickly in children because of the rich nutrient supply to the periosteum. The closer a fracture is to the growth plate, the more quickly the fracture heals. The capacity for remodeling (the process of breaking down and forming new bone) is increased in children compared with adults. Children's bones produce callus more rapidly and in larger quantities than do adults' bones.

A group of students are reviewing information about the skeletal development in children. The students demonstrate understanding of the information when they identify that ossification is complete by what age?

Adolescence Ossification and conversion of cartilage to bone continue throughout childhood and are complete at adolescence.

Why will it be necessary for the nurse to be very supportive of parents' attempts to feed the infant with recently repaired myelomeningocele?

Assuming the usual feeding position will be difficult. Because the repaired area will need to be protected, having to use an alternate feeding position is likely. The infant may need to be fed prone with the head turned to the side and may not be able to be held. Being able to provide food for the infant is central to parenting the child. Difficulty nurturing a child can be very stressful. Little pain will be experienced and should easily be controlled owing to loss of sensation in the area. The sucking reflex should not be affected by the myelomeningocele or its repair. Nausea and vomiting are unlikely after recovery from the anesthetic.

In understanding the development of the musculoskeletal system, the nurse recognizes that what is implanted in a gel-like substance during fetal life?

Cartilage During fetal life, tissue called cartilage, which is a type of connective tissue consisting of cells implanted in a gel-like substance, gradually calcifies and becomes bone.

A child is born with a talipes disorder. The child later receives a cast on the affected leg to correct the problem. Which measure should the nurse mention to the mother to ensure good circulation in the affected leg?

Check the infant's toes for coldness or blueness. Review with parents how to check the infant's toes for coldness or blueness and how to blanch a toenail bed and watch it turn pink to assess for good circulation. The other answers are other interventions pertaining to caring for a child with a talipes disorder but are not associated specifically with ensuring good circulation.

The nurse is working with a group of caregivers of school-age children discussing fractures. The nurse explains that if the fragments of fractured bone are separated, the fracture is said to be:

Complete If the fragments of fractured bone are separated, the fracture is said to be complete. If fragments remain partially joined, the fracture is termed incomplete. Greenstick fractures are one kind of incomplete fracture, caused by incomplete ossification, common in children. Spiral fractures twist around the bone.

Complications associated with bleeding most often involve joints and muscles. Adjunct measures to control bleeding include:

Compression Complications associated with bleeding most often involve joints and muscles. Adjunct measures include rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). In addition, corticosteroids such as prednisone may be used to reduce inflammation in the joint

The nurse caring for a client diagnosed with muscular dystrophy would expect which laboratory values to be most abnormal?

Creatine kinase Serum creatine kinase levels are elevated early in the disorder, when significant muscle wasting is actively occurring. Bilirubin is a by-product of liver function. Potassium and sodium levels can change due to various factors and aren't indicators of muscular dystrophy.

The nurse is planning to teach the parents of a child with newly diagnosed muscular dystrophy about the disease. Which definition should she use to best describe this condition?

Degeneration of muscle fibers Degeneration of muscle fibers with progressive weakness and wasting best describes muscular dystrophy. Demyelination of myelin sheaths is a description of multiple sclerosis. Lesions within the brain cortex and the upper motor neurons suggest a neurologic, not a muscular, disease.

The nurse caring for a client in a body cast knows that immobility can cause contractures, loss of muscle tone, or fixation of joints. Which nursing interdisciplinary intervention is recommended to help prevent these adverse conditions?

Encourage active and passive range-of-motion activities to prevent ineffective tissue perfusion. The nurse should turn the client and encourage active and passive range-of-motion activities to prevent ineffective tissue perfusion. The client should be instructed to cough and breathe deeply to prevent respiratory complications. Normal capillary refill is 1 to 3 seconds. The client should be given small, frequent meals with increased fiber, protein, and vitamin C to prevent malnutrition.

The nurse is teaching a health and wellness course to young women of childbearing age. Which vitamin will the nurse encourage all to take daily?

Folic acid It is recommended that all women of childbearing age ingest 0.4 mg of folic acid daily. Ascorbic acid is vitamin C, niacin is a B vitamin, and calcium is a mineral, not a vitamin.

The mother of a 3-year-old with a myelomeningocele is thinking about having another baby. The nurse should inform the woman that she should increase her intake of which acid?

Folic acid above 0.4 mg/day The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a woman who has had a child with a neural tube defect increase her intake of folic acid to above 0.4 mg per day 1 month before becoming pregnant and continue this regimen through the first trimester. A woman who has no family history of neural tube defects should take 0.4 mg/day. All women of childbearing age should be encouraged to take a folic acid supplement because the majority of pregnancies in the United States are unplanned. Ascorbic acid hasn't been shown to have any effect on preventing neural tube defects.

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 A sign of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is Gowers sign, or the inability of the child to rise from the floor in the standard fashion because of weakeness. Signs of hydrocephalus are not typically associated with DMD. Kyphosis and scoliosis occur more frequently than lordosis. A child with DMD has an enlarged appearance to their calf muscles due to pseudohypertrophy of the calves.

A type of traction sometimes used in the treatment of the child with scoliosis is called:

Halo traction. When a child has a severe spinal curvature or cervical instability, a form of traction known as halo traction may be used to reduce spinal curves and straighten the spine. Halo traction is achieved by using stainless steel pins inserted into the skull while counter-traction is applied by using pins inserted into the femur. Weights are increased gradually to promote correction

Which finding will cause the nurse to refer a 6-month-old child for further neuromuscular testing?

Head lag when pulled from supine to sitting Head lag in the child requires referral. By 4 to 5 months, the infant should be able to maintain the head in a neutral position. The other assessment findings are normal for age, indicating no need for referral

A 14-year-old girl is diagnosed as having scoliosis. When doing scoliosis screening with her, an important observation would be to note:

Her posterior spine when she bends forward. A lateral curvature of the spine (scoliosis) is best revealed when the child bends forward. Bending to the side would not provide an accurate assessment of the spine nor would assessing the iliac crest or the chest.

Through which mechanism is Duchenne muscular dystrophy acquired?

Heredity Muscular dystrophy is hereditary and acquired through a recessive sex-linked trait. Therefore, it isn't caused by viral, autoimmune, or environmental factors.

The nurse will teach parents of children with myelomeningocele to maintain an environment free of what element?

Latex A latex-free environment is important because research shows that up to 73% of children with repeated surgeries for spina bifida are sensitive to latex. Those with known sensitivity must be managed in a latex-free environment in the health care setting and in the home, in the school, and beyond. Children at risk for latex sensitivity should wear medical alert identification. The other options may present risks to individual children but are not a threat to those with spina bifida as a group

The child diagnosed with muscular dystrophy often exhibits a forward curvature of the lumbar spine. This description is accurate regarding what condition?

Lordosis Lordosis, a forward curvature of the lumbar spine or swayback, is seen by school age in the child with muscular dystrophy.

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 : With rickets, serum calcium and phosphate levels are low and alkaline phosphate levels are elevated. Radiographs show changes in the shape and structure of the bone.

The nurse caring for a client with suspected muscular dystrophy would prepare her client for which diagnostic test?

Muscle biopsy Muscle biopsy provides definitive diagnosis of muscular dystrophy demonstrating the absence of dystrophin. X-ray is best for identifying an osseous deformity. Ambulation assessment alone wouldn't confirm diagnosis of this client's disorder. EEG wouldn't be appropriate in this case

You meet a child with a slipped capital femoral epiphysis. In what type of child does this usually occur?

Obese adolescent boys A slipped capital epiphyseal femur injury most typically occurs in overweight preadolescent or adolescent boys. Stress increases the risk. A thin child would not have an increased risk, and the age range is past preadolescent and school age. (less)

The nurse is conducting a physical examination of a 9-month-old infant with a suspected neuromuscular disorder. Which finding would warrant further evaluation?

Presence of Moro reflex The persistence of a primitive reflex in a 9-month-old would warrant further evaluation. Symmetrical spontaneous movement and absence of the Moro and tonic neck reflex are expected in a normally developing 9-month-old child.

The nurse is caring for a 10-year-old child in traction. After performing a skin assessment, she notices that the skin over the calcaneus appears slightly red and irritated. What should be the first intervention?

Reposition the child's foot on a pressure-reducing device. The nurse's first action is to remove continuous pressure from this area. The other actions can help decrease potential for skin breakdown, but the pressure must be relieved first.

Which nursing diagnosis will the nurse prepare for the infant who is placed prone to protect the myelomeningocele repair site?

Risk for impaired skin integrity The skin of the infant's knees and elbows is exposed to both pressure and friction. Leakage of urine and stool makes skin cleanliness a challenge. Should voluntary movement of the legs be affected, they become more vulnerable to skin integrity problems. The neuromuscular dysfunction the infant experiences is neither peripheral nor vascular. Disorganized infant behavior does not reflect the reality of the situation, and risk for activity intolerance is not appropriate because little activity occurs.

Which diagnostic measure is most accurate in detecting neural tube defects?

Significant level of alpha-fetoprotein present in amniotic fluid Screening for significant levels of alpha-fetoprotein is 90% effective in detecting neural tube defects. Prenatal screening includes a combination of maternal serum and amniotic fluid levels, amniocentesis, amniography, and ultrasonography and has been relatively successful in diagnosing the defect. Flat plate X-rays of the abdomen, L/S ratio, and maternal serum albumin levels aren't diagnostic for the defect.

The type of traction in which a pin, wire, tongs, or other device is surgically inserted through a bone is:

Skeletal traction Skeletal traction exerts pull directly on skeletal structures by means of a pin, wire, tongs, or other device surgically inserted through a bone. Skin traction applies pull on tape, rubber, or a plastic material attached to the skin, which indirectly exerts pull on the musculoskeletal system. Examples of skin traction are Bryant traction, Buck extension traction, and Russell traction

The nurse is discussing types of treatment used when working with children who have orthopedic disorders. Which form of treatment covers the lower part of the body, usually from the waist down, and either one or both legs while leaving the feet open?

Spica cast The hip spica cast covers the lower part of the body, usually from the waist down, and either one or both legs while leaving the feet open. The cast maintains the legs in a frog-like position. Usually, there is a bar placed between the legs to help support the cast.

Based on knowledge of the progression of muscular dystrophy, which activity would a nurse anticipate the client having difficulty with first?

Standing Muscular dystrophy usually affects postural muscles of the hip and shoulder first. Swallowing and breathing are usually affected last. Sitting may be affected, but a client would have difficulty standing before having difficulty sitting.

The nurse is caring for a child diagnosed with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. Of the following nursing interventions, which would be most important for the nurse to include in working with this child and the child's caregivers?

The nurse should help the caregivers to understand and the child to effectively use the corrective devices. Nursing care focuses on helping the child and caregivers to manage the corrective device and on the importance of compliance to promote healing and to avoid long-term disability.

A neonatal nurse examines an infant and notes decreased hip motion that causes pain upon movement. This nurse suspects Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, a common pediatric hip disorder that causes pain and decreased hip motion, possibly leading to a femoral head deformity.

True Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is a common pediatric hip disorder that causes pain and decreased hip motion, possibly leading to a femoral head deformity. It has an incidence of 1 per 1,200 live births, with some hereditary factors influencing incidence.

A client with muscular dystrophy has lost complete control of his lower extremities. He has some strength bilaterally in the upper extremities, but poor trunk control. Which mechanism would be the most important to have on the wheelchair?

Wheelchair belt This client has poor trunk control; a belt will prevent him from falling out of the wheelchair. Antitip devices, head rest supports, and extended breaks are all important options but aren't the most important options in this situation.

The nurse is caring for a child after an accident in which the child fractured his arm. A cast has been applied to the child's right arm. Which actions should the nurse implement?

• Document any signs of pain. • Monitor the color of the nail beds in the right hand. • Check radial pulse in the both arms. Monitoring for signs of pain, decreased circulation, or change or variation in pulses in the extremity is important for the child in a cast. Pain can indicate serious complications, such as compartment syndrome. Wearing a gown or sterile gloves is unnecessary. Checking posterior pulses would be appropriate when a lower extremity is casted.

A nurse is preparing a plan of care for an infant who has undergone surgery to repair a myelomeningocele. The nurse would include placing the infant in which positions postoperatively?

• Left side lying • Right side lying • Prone

What methods can a nurse use to evaluate extremity function in an 18-month-old?

• Observe the child in developmentally appropriate play. • Elicit from the parent a description of fine and gross motor activities. • Look for symmetric motion in the arms and legs. Observing play, eliciting parental descriptions, and looking for symmetry in motion are all developmentally appropriate and effective methods of assessing extremity function in this toddler. Expecting the child to cooperate in squeezing fingers or pushing feet against resistance is not realistic and is likely to cause reluctance to participate in later assessments.

The young boy has fractured his left leg and has had a cast applied. The nurse educates the boy and his parents prior to discharge from the hospital. The parents should call the physician when which incidents occur?

• The boy has had a fever of greater than 102° F (38.9°C) for the last 36 hours. • New drainage is seeping out from under the cast. • The boy's toes are light blue and very swollen. The parents should call the physician when the following things occur: The child has a temperature greater than 101.5F° (38.7° C) for more than 24 hours, there is drainage from the casted site, the site distal to the casted extremity is cyanotic, or severe edema is present.

Fracture of the femur typically occurs when a small child is lifted by one hand, as happens when a parent pulls on one arm to lift the child over a curb or up a step.

False If a small child is lifted by one hand, as happens when a parent pulls on one arm to lift the child over a curb or up a step, the head of the radius may escape the ligament surrounding it and become dislocated (nursemaid's elbow). Fracture of the femur is rare and is typically caused by an automobile accident, a fall from a considerable height, or child maltreatment.

Which statement about cerebral palsy would be accurate?

"Cerebral palsy is a condition that doesn't get worse." By definition, cerebral palsy is a nonprogressive neuromuscular disorder. It can be mild or quite severe and is believed to be the result of a hypoxic event during pregnancy or the birth process and doesn't run in families.

The caregiver of a child who has had a cast applied to the leg observes the nurse putting adhesive tape strips around the edge of the cast. The caregiver asks the nurse why she is doing this. The best response by the nurse would be:

"These make a smooth edge on the cast so the skin is better protected." If the cast has no protective edge, it should be petaled with adhesive tape strips. These help keep the skin protected from the rough edge of the cast. If the cast is near the genital area, plastic should be taped around the edge to prevent wetting and soiling of the cast; petaling the cast does not provide protection to keep the cast dry

The nurse caring for an infant with myelomeningocele before surgical intervention will prioritize care in what way?

Cover the sac with a saline-moistened dressing Protection of exposed neural tissue is of high priority. Keeping the cystic mass moist prevents damage to neural elements from drying. Blankets may cause trauma to the sac. An Isolette can be used for warmth, but much attention will have to be directed toward keeping the sac moist. Side-to-side hourly position changes increase the risk of damage to protruding nervous tissue. Unnecessary handling should be avoided

The nurse is caring for an 11-year-old presenting with tenderness in the shoulder. He is the pitcher for his baseball team and reports shoulder pain with active internal rotation but is able to continue past the pain with full range of motion. Based on these reported symptoms, the nurse is aware that the disorder is most likely to be:

Epiphysiolysis of the proximal humerus. Epiphysiolysis of the proximal humerus is an overuse disorder that occurs with rigorous upper extremity activity such as pitching and causes tenderness in the shoulder. Osgood-Schlatter disease causes knee pain and painful swelling or prominence of the anterior portion of the tibial tubercle. Sever disease causes pain over the posterior aspect of the calcaneus. Epiphysiolysis of the distal radius is an overuse disorder that causes wrist pain. It is common in gymnasts.

Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common form that occurs.

True Idiopathic scoliosis, with the majority of cases occurring during adolescence, is the most common scoliosis.

A young female has been prescribed corticosteroids for dermatomyositis. Which statements by her mother indicates the need for further education?

• "I give it to her first thing in the morning before breakfast." • "We are taking her to Disney in the summer." Corticosteroids should be given with food to minimize gastric upset. Corticosteroids can mask infection. This child should avoid large crowds to prevent exposure to infectious organisms. The other parent responses are correct regarding corticosteroids and dermatomyositis

The young child is experiencing muscle spasms and has been given lorazepam. Which statements by the child indicate that the child may be experiencing some common side effects?

• "I need to take a nap." • "I feel sort of dizzy." This child has taken a benzodiazepine. Common side effects associated with this medication are dizziness and sedation. The skeletal muscle relaxes and the spasms will diminish. Nausea and upper gastrointestinal pain are not common side effects associated with this medication

The school nurse cares for children with overuse injuries and refers them for treatment. Which statements accurately describe conservative interventions to prevent or care for these types of injuries?

• Encourage 1 to 2 days off per week of competitive athletics. • Apply ice to the injured area to reduce inflammation. • Perform appropriate stretching during a 20-to 30-minute warmup. Conservative treatment methods for the child with an overuse injury include encouraging 1 to 2 days off per week of competitive athletics, performing appropriate stretching during a 20-to 30-minute warmup, and applying ice to the injured area to reduce the inflammation and irritation. NSAIDs (ibuprofen) are used for inflammation and pain control. The physical therapist institutes a stretching and strengthening program for the appropriate muscle groups. Parents and coaches may not understand that the level of activity that causes overuse symptoms varies from child to child. Notes or telephone conversations from the physician or nurse to the child's coach can clarify any misconceptions about what is expected during the recovery and recuperative periods

A nurse is caring for a child with spina bifida. The child's mother asks the nurse what she did to cause the birth defect. Which statement would be the nurse's best response?

"The cause is unknown and there are many environmental factors that may contribute to it." There is no one known cause of spina bifida, but scientists believe that it's linked to hereditary and environmental factors; neural tube defects, including spina bifida, have been strongly linked to low dietary intake of folic acid. Maternal age doesn't have an impact on spina bifida. An amniocentesis is performed to help diagnose spina bifida in utero but doesn't cause the disorder. Maternal alcohol intake during pregnancy has been linked to mental retardation, craniofacial defects, and cardiac abnormalities, but not spina bifida

While an adolescent wears a body brace for scoliosis, you would teach her:

To continue with age-appropriate activities. Wearing a body brace should not interfere with normal activities, which are necessary to maintain adolescent self-esteem. Sex changes continue with or without bracing; the provider will determine the length of time for wearing the brace each day

The nurse is teaching a group of peers regarding different types of fractures seen in children. Which statement best describes a complete fracture?

A fracture in which the bone breaks into two pieces. A fracture in which the bone breaks into two pieces is called a complete fracture. A fracture in which the bone bends without breaking is called a plastic or bowing deformity. A fracture in which the the bone buckles rather than breaks is called a buckle fracture. An incomplete fracture of the bone is called a greenstick fracture.

The nurse is caring for a newborn with facial nerve palsy from birth trauma. The mother is very upset and concerned about the child's prognosis. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?

"In most cases treatment is not necessary, only observation." The nurse should reassure the mother by reminding her that in most cases treatment is not necessary, only observation. Asking about signs of improvement might alarm the mother because in some cases it can take many months for the palsy to resolve. Asking whether this was a result of pressure from forceps does not address the mother's concerns about the child's prognosis. The mother may not understand or know why the condition occurred. Telling the mother that this is the most common facial nerve palsy does not address the mother's concerns about the child's prognosis.

The nurse is taking the history of a 4-year-old boy. His mother mentions that he seems weaker and unable to keep up with his 6-year-old sister on the playground. Which question should the nurse ask to elicit the most helpful information?

"Would you please describe the weakness you are seeing in your son?" The nurse needs to obtain a clear description of weakness. This open-ended question would most likely elicit specific examples of weakness and shed light on whether the boy is simply fatigued. The other questions would most likely elicit a yes or no answer rather than any specific details about his weakness or development.

A young child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy is placed on both prednisone and calcium. Parents view these two medications as rather "common" and question their importance for the child. What explanation by the nurse will be most helpful to the parents?

"Prednisone helps to keep muscle fibers strong and delays progression of the disease. Calcium protects against osteoporosis caused by both prednisone and lack of weight bearing." Studies have shown that boys treated with prednisone have improved muscle strength and function. This is thought to be due to the protection that prednisone provides to muscle fibers. Calcium is needed to prevent osteoporosis, which is a side effect of prednisone that also occurs when weight bearing is limited. Respiratory infection is a risk in that those muscles weaken with progression of the disease, but reactive airway disease is not a particular risk. No peripheral nerve involvement is observed in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Side effects of prednisone include weight gain and appetite stimulation, but these are not the reasons for the prednisone therapy. Calcium does augment dietary intake of the mineral and is important for tooth development, and it may play a role in prevention of muscle cramps, but these are not the main reasons for taking the calcium supplement

The nurse is observing a 3-year-old boy who is sitting and playing in the waiting area of his pediatrician's office. The nurse calls the boy and his mother back for the boy's appointment. The boy rolls onto his stomach and pushes himself to his knees. Then he presses his hands against his ankles, knees, and thighs, walking up the front of his body, to stand. Which condition should the nurse suspect in this client?

Duchenne muscular dystrophy By age 3, children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy can rise from the floor only by rolling onto their stomachs and then pushing themselves to their knees. To stand, they press their hands against their ankles, knees, and thighs (they "walk up their front"); this is a Gower sign. Symptoms of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy begin after the child is 10 years old, and the primary symptom is facial weakness. The child becomes unable to wrinkle the forehead and cannot whistle. Congenital myotonic dystrophy begins in utero and typically leads to death before age 1 year because of inability to sustain respiratory function. The symptoms of juvenile arthritis are primarily stiff and painful joints.