NUR 307 - Chapter 44: 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.

The nurse is caring for a 14-year-old boy in Buck traction for a slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). What information would the nurse include when completing a neurovascular assessment of the affected leg? Select all that apply.

- Color - Sensation - Pulse - Capillary refill A neurovascular assessment includes assessing for color, movement, sensation, edema, and quality of pulses. Vital signs are not a component of a neurovascular assessment.

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 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 is assessing a preadolescent client reporting pain and swelling just below the knee. The client states it hurts worse after running. What treatment would the nurse expect to be prescribed for this client?

NSAIDs, ice, and limiting exercise The child's symptoms suggest Osgood-Schlatter disease, which is a thickening and enlargement of the tibial tuberosity probably from overuse. Treatment includes administration of NSAIDS, ice, and limiting strenuous activity. Ankle and knee strengthening exercises, applications of ice, and use of acetaminophen is not indicated for this disorder.

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.

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 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 assessing a child and notes S-shaped curvature of the spine. What terminology would the nurse use when documenting this assessment finding?

idiopathic scoliosis Idiopathic scoliosis is an S-shaped curvature of the spine. Kyphosis is an outward curvature of the cervical spine. Lordosis is an inward curving of the lumbar spine. Sway back is another term used for lordosis.

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.

A nurse is assessing a newborn and observes webbing of the fingers and toes. The nurse documents this finding as:

syndactyly. Syndactyly refers to webbing of the fingers and toes. Polydactyly refers to the presence of extra digits on the hand or foot. Metatarsus adductus is a medial deviation of the forefoot. Pectus carinatum is a protuberance of the chest wall.

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.

The nurse is working with a group of caregivers of school-aged 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.

A nurse is performing a physical examination of a child with a suspected fracture. Which assessment technique would the nurse assume would not be used?

Auscultation The physical examination specific to fractures includes inspection, observation, and palpation. The nurse may assume that auscultation is not used; however, auscultation of the child's lungs may reveal adventitious sounds that are often present when respiratory muscle function is impaired.

The nurse receives a report on a child admitted with severe muscular dystrophy. The nurse suspects the child has been diagnosed with the most severe form of the disease, known as:

Duchenne. Studies have shown that Duchenne is the most severe form of muscular dystrophy. Myotonia isn't a form of the disease; it's a symptom.

Which characteristic is true of cerebral palsy?

It appears at birth or during the first 2 years of life. Cerebral palsy is an irreversible, nonprogressive disorder that results from damage to the developing brain during the prenatal, perinatal, or postnatal period. Although some children with cerebral palsy are intellectually disabled, many have normal intelligence.

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 is assessing a 10-year-old girl recently fitted with a cast on her wrist. Which assessment finding would alert the nurse to a possible infection?

Drainage on the cast Drainage on the cast could indicate an infection. Pale fingers would suggest impaired circulation. Delayed capillary refill would suggest impaired circulation. Diminished pulse would suggest impaired circulation.

The nurse is speaking with a parent of a child diagnosed with scoliosis. The parent states, "I hate to think about my child having to wear a huge brace to treat this disorder. My best friend growing up had to wear one and she hated it." What is the best response by the nurse?

"The newer type of braces fit under the arms and are made to fit under clothing. They aren't nearly as big as they used to be." Bracing is the primary treatment for scoliosis. The braces used today are designed by computer-aided techniques and fit under the arms rather than extending to the neck. Braces must be worn 23 hours a day. Surgical intervention is only performed in severe cases.

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." Bisphosphonates are used in the palliative, not curative, treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta. The medication increases bone mineral density, therefore reducing the risk of the child developing fractures. The medication does not actually prevent fractures from happening.

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.

The nurse is caring for a child recently fitted with braces on both legs due to cerebral palsy (CP). What would the nurse emphasize in the discharge teaching?

"Check the skin that is covered by the braces for redness and breakdown." Assessing skin integrity should be the priority, as braces can lead to pressure ulcers and infection. Compliance is important, but attention to skin care is the priority teaching. Following the schedule is important for compliance, but skin integrity is the priority. Advising the parents to remove the brace if it is painful is inaccurate; the child may require pain management or further consultation with the physical therapist.

A nurse is caring for a 10-year-old who is in skeletal traction following injuries sustained in a car accident. Which statement accurately describes a recommended nursing measure for this type of traction?

Perform pin-site care on a daily or weekly basis after the first 48 to 72 hours. At sites with mechanically stable bone-pin interfaces, pin-site care should be done on a daily or weekly basis (after the first 48 to 72 hours). The nurse should never remove or add traction weights without specific physician orders, or allow weights to touch the floor or drag on the bed parts; weights should hang free. A chlorhexidine 2 mg/mL solution may be the most effective cleansing solution for pin care.

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.

A mother is angry about her son's diagnosis of osteosarcoma. She is telling him that if he had not played football last year and broken his leg, this would not have happened. What is the nurse's best response to the mother's statement?

"Playing sports does not cause osteosarcoma. It may draw attention to the weakened bone from the tumor, though." Osteosarcoma does not result from bone injuries but may be diagnosed when there is a fracture secondary to bone weakening from the tumor. Playing sports has no effect on development of osteosarcoma.

The nurse is providing teaching about the disease to a client newly diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and his family. Which facts are accurate and should be shared with this family? Select all that apply.

- JIA can affect any number of joints. - The client will need to take several medications, including NSAIDS. - Administer NSAIDS with food to decrease the incidence of gastric irritation. Patients with JIA have painful swollen joints in varying numbers from one to more than five. The most common age is from 1 to 3 years and from 8 to 10 years. NSAIDS are the drug of choice for reduction of inflammation. Clients are encouraged to exercise as long as it does not increase the pain of the disease. Since NSAIDS are very irritating to the GI tract, it is recommended that NSAIDS be taken with food or milk.

The nurse is caring for a child diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and notes the presence of a Gower sign on the assessment form. What action by the child would support this assessment?

when on the floor, rising to the knees and pressing the hands against the ankles, knees, and thighs to stand A Gower sign is when children "walk up their front." When on the floor, the only way they can stand is to roll on their stomach and push themselves up to their knees. They then press their hands against their ankles, knees, and thighs. The presence of a waddling gait, difficulty climbing stairs, and a short heel cord are all present in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but they are not the Gower sign. Meeting milestones late is also a symptom of this disorder, but it is not the Gower sign.

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? Select all that apply.

- Prone - Right side lying - Left side lying Postoperatively, the nurse would position the infant in the prone or side-lying position to allow the incision to heal.

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.

A nurse who is discussing Duchenne muscular dystrophy characterizes it correctly using which descriptors?

Duchenne muscular dystrophy causes progressive muscular weakness that ends in death. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common of several muscular dystrophies and is a progressive, fatal disorder. It involves mainly skeletal muscles, but other muscles are affected over time. Onset occurs in early childhood. The disorder is X-linked recessive. An enzyme is lacking that is necessary for the maintenance of muscle cells. No structural abnormalities of the spinal cord or peripheral nerves are noted.

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.

A nurse is conducting a physical examination on an 11-year-old boy with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. Which assessment finding would be expected?

Trendelenburg gait The nurse would expect to note a Trendelenburg gait due to pain. Lordosis is an excessive curvature of the spine and is not associated with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. Kyphosis is an excessive curvature of the spine and is not associated with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. Loss of strength in ankle dorsiflexion is associated with some neuromuscular disorders but not this condition.

The nurse is caring for a child who has had an open reduction with cast placement on the forearm. While assessing the cast, the nurse notes serosanguineous fluid on the cast. What action by the nurse is appropriate?

Using a ballpoint pen, outline the fluid stain. Mark the time it is outlined. Although oozing of serosanguineous fluid after an open reduction is a common, it does need to be noted and documented. The nurse should outline the stain with a ballpoint pen or crayon rather than a marker, mark the time so it can be determined how rapidly the spot is increasing. If the stain is small, notification of the health care provider and replacement of the cast is not necessary.

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.

A 9-year-old child is scheduled for a computed tomography with contrast medium. What would be most important for the nurse to assess?

Allergies Assessing for allergies would be the priority because a contrast medium is being used. Pain is an important assessment but is unrelated to the test scheduled. Swelling is an important assessment finding, but this is unrelated to the test scheduled. Although a white blood cell count is important for determining an infection, it is unrelated to the test scheduled.

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 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 caring for an adolescent with calcaneal apophysitis. What treatment would be prescribed for this disorder? Select all that apply.

- application of ice before and after athletic events - addition of a lift or cup to the heel of the shoe of the affected size - heel stretching exercises after the pain has subsided Calcaneal apophysitis is an overuse injury common in overweight children between ages 8 and 15 years. Treatment includes adding a lift or cup to the heal of the shoe, ice application before and after sporting events, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, and once the pain has subsided, heel stretching exercises. Acetaminophen does not have anti-inflammatory properties and would not be indicated for this disorder. Immobilization and/or casting is not required.

A 12-year-old female client has been diagnosed with scoliosis with a curvature of 30 degrees. What type of treatment would the nurse anticipate being started on this client?

Bracing For spinal curvatures of 25 to 40 degrees, the usual treatment is bracing. Curvatures greater than 40 degrees may be treated with traction or spinal instrumentation and fusion. Exercise may be implemented for very mild curvatures to strengthen the back muscles.

A nurse is working with a 12-year-old girl with osteomyelitis who is recovering from surgery. What nursing interventions should be implemented? Select all that apply.

- Administration of IV antibiotics at the hospital - Instruct the parents on how to care for an IV line at home - Instruct the parents regarding the importance of maintaining bed rest - Institute infection-control precautions related to drainage tubes Osteomyelitis is infection of the bone. Medical therapy includes limitation of weight bearing on the affected part, bed rest, immobilization, and a short administration of an IV antibiotic such as oxacillin (Bactocill), as indicated by the blood culture. Intravenous therapy is usually initiated in the hospital and then continued at home for as long as 2 weeks. When the child is discharged from the hospital, be certain to review with parents measures to care for the antibiotic intravenous line if this will be continued at home. Keep in mind young children are active, even if they are on bed rest so need age appropriate activities so they maintain rest, not activity. If a child had surgery and drainage tubes are in place, institute infection-control precautions, because the drain evacuates infected material. Neither casting nor traction is required for osteomyelitis.

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 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 intellectual disability, craniofacial defects, and cardiac abnormalities, but not spina bifida.

The nurse is caring for a school-age child diagnosed with juvenile arthritis (JA). Currently, the child's hips and knees are inflamed and painful. What statement by the parent would indicate a need for further education?

"I will keep my child home from school when there is a flare up to help reduce the amount of time my child is in pain." Children with JA should be encouraged to attend school, even if it is a shortened day because this increases activity. Using an elevated toilet seat may help decrease pain in the knees. A daily exercise program should be completed, and incorporating exercises into a game or dance can make them more enjoyable for the child. Warm baths can help can help reduce pain and increase movement in the involved joints.

The parents of a infant born with an abnormality on the back are told by the neonatologist that their child has a myelomeningeocele. 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 myelomeningocele is the more severe form of spina bifida cystica, in which the spinal cord and nerve roots herniate into the sac through an opening in the spine, compromising the meninges and usually resulting in neurological impairment. A meningocele includes the meninges and spinal fluid only. A myelomeningocele usually contains the bowel and bladder innervation but involves many more nerves also. A myelomeningocele is not just a cyst that resolves within a year.

An adolescent client who has scoliosis and is wearing a Milwaukee brace tells the nurse that she is ugly and cannot wear the same clothing as her friends. Which response by the nurse best addresses this client's altered self-image?

"Let's look at some clothing that you can wear with the brace that will look like everyone else's clothes but cover it." A positive self-image is very important for adolescents wearing a brace. They want to look like their peers and wear the same clothing, but often that is not possible when wearing a brace. Assisting the adolescent in selecting clothing that looks stylish but still hides the brace is one of the best ways to help this client. Telling her she looks fine, to be confident, or bringing up the times she has been embarrassed does not help the client.

The nurse is observing a child walk down stairs using a swing-through gait. What action by the child would indicate a need for intervention by the nurse?

"The child places the crutches on the lower step before placing the good foot down." To walk downstairs using a swing-through gait, the child places the crutches on the lower step, and then the good foot is placed on the step between the crutches. Both crutches should be moved at the same time. The good foot should not be placed on a lower step than the crutches when going down stairs.

The nurse is assessing a young boy who has been brought to the physician for mobility and balance issues by his parents. Which findings are positively associated with the presence of Duchenne muscular dystrophy? Select all that apply.

- Serum creatine kinase levels are elevated. - An electromyogram demonstrates the problem is within the nerves, not the muscles. - The child is unable to rise easily into a standing position when placed on the floor. Significant muscle wasting is associated with this diagnosis. Creatine kinase levels increase with muscle wasting. A muscle biopsy will show an absence of dystrophin. Gowers sign will be positive. An electromygoram will indicate the problem is with the muscles, not the nerves. Genetic testing will reveal the presence of the gene associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

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? Record your answer using one decimal place.

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

The nurse is caring for a group of children on the pediatric unit. The nurse should collect further data and explore the possibility of child abuse in which situation?

A 7-year-old with a spiral fracture of the humerus, which the caregiver reports as having been caused when the child was hit by a bat swung by a Little League teammate. Spiral fractures, which twist around the bone, are frequently associated with child abuse and are caused by a wrenching force. When a broken bone penetrates the skin, the fracture is called compound, or open. A simple, or closed, fracture is a single break in the bone without penetration of the skin. In a greenstick fracture, the bone bends and often just partially breaks.

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 nurse is applying a cast to a 12-year-old boy with a simple fracture of the radius in the arm. What is most important for the nurse to do when she has finished applying the cast?

Assess the fingers for warmth, pain, and function Assess fingers or toes carefully for warmth, pain, and function after application of a cast to be certain a compartment syndrome is not developing. Before a cast is applied, not after, a tube of stockinette is stretched over the area, and soft cotton padding is placed over bony prominences. A "window" may be placed in a cast for an open fracture or if an infection is suspected—not to prevent an infection—so that the area can be observed; however, a window is not indicated in this case. The x-ray should be performed before casting, to diagnose the fracture, not afterward.

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 Diazepam is an antianxiety drug that also has the effect of skeletal muscle relaxation; it is used for the treatment of muscle spasm associated with traction or casting. Narcotic analgesics are used for pain relief. Alendronate increases bone mineral density for children with osteogenesis imperfecta. Pamidronate increases bone mineral density for children with osteogenesis imperfecta.

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.

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.

The type of fracture often seen in young children is one in which there is not complete ossification of the bone, and the bone bends and just partially breaks. What type of fracture is this?

Greenstick Greenstick fractures are one kind of incomplete fracture, caused by incomplete ossification, common in children. The bone bends and often just partially breaks.

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 student nurse is developing a care plan for a child who suffered a fractured tibia and will have a cast on his lower leg for approximately 6 weeks. Which nursing diagnosis would be the priority for this client?

Impaired physical mobility related to a cast on the leg Impaired physical mobility would be the priority need for this client. Basic comfort, food, fluid, and other basic needs are considered a higher priority than diversional activities and self-esteem. Pain would be the normally be the highest priority in this list, but this client would have acute inflammation rather than chronic inflammation.

Which condition would alert the nurse that a child may be suffering from muscular dystrophy?

Increased lumbar lordosis An increased lumbar lordosis would be seen in a child suffering from muscular dystrophy secondary to paralysis of lower lumbar postural muscles. Increased lower extremity support may also be seen. Hypertonia isn't seen in this disease. Upper extremity spasticity isn't seen because this disease isn't caused by upper motor neuron lesions. Hyperactive reflexes aren't indications of muscular dystrophy.

An adolescent girl with scoliosis is refusing to wear the prescribed body brace. Which instruction is best to progress her to the treatment goals?

It is important to wear the brace now to improve your spinal alignment, decreasing your symptoms . It is important to have the adolescent understand the treatment and how the treatment will benefit them currently. Body bracing helps to hold the spine in alignment and prevent further curvature decreasing symptoms. The brace will not correct the problem. Herniation and torticollis are not associated with scoliosis.

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.

What will be the nurse's next action after noting dimpling and a tuft of hair located in the lumbosacral area of the preschool child during examination?

Record and refer the finding for follow-up to the pediatrician Dimpling and hair growth may signal spina bifida occulta, which usually is benign. However, some complications can be associated, and further investigation is warranted to prevent possible damage to the spinal cord. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often the diagnostic tool used. No hygienic concerns need prevail. These findings do not suggest development of precocious puberty or any other hormonal problem. The dimpling and hair tuft must be clearly explained to the parents.

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.

The charge nurse is observing a student nurse perform skeletal traction pin care. What action by the student nurse would indicate a need for intervention by the charge nurse?

unhooking a weight while providing pin care Weights should never be moved or unhooked during skeletal traction. Pin care is a sterile procedure. Pins are cleaned with half-strength hydrogen peroxide and then typically covered with sterile cotton gauze.

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.

An infant was born with a severely deformed hand. He is now 6 months old. The nurse informs the parents that the orthopedic surgeon has recommended amputation of the hand and fitting of a prosthesis. The mother objects and tells the nurse that they would like to wait and see how the hand develops. Which of the following should the nurse say in response?

"With a deformity such as this, the hand is highly unlikely to improve." Depending on the condition, in many children, there is a potential for better function if the malformed portion of an extremity is amputated before a prosthesis is fitted. This creates a difficult decision for parents because it is one they cannot undo later. They need assurance hands with malformed fingers, for example, will not later grow to become normal and a well-fitted prosthesis will allow their child a more usual childhood and adult life than if the original disorder was left unchanged. It is not the nurse's place to insert her opinion about the matter.

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 nurse is caring for a child diagnosed with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. What is the most important nursing intervention for the nurse to include in working with this child and his caregivers?

The nurse should help the caregivers to understand and help 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 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.

In caring for a child in traction, which intervention is the highest priority for the nurse?

The nurse should monitor for decreased circulation every 4 hours. Any child in traction must be carefully monitored to detect any signs of decreased circulation or neurovascular complications. Cleaning pin sites is appropriate for a child in skeletal traction. Providing age-appropriate activities and monitoring intake and output are important interventions for any ill child but would not be the highest priority interventions for the child in traction.

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.

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.

The nurse is caring for a school-age child diagnosed with transient synovitis. What statement by a parent indicates a need for further education regarding this diagnosis?

"I will get the prescription for the antibiotics filled as soon as we leave the office today." Transient synovitis is an inflammatory disease, not an infection; therefore, antibiotics are not needed. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and limited activity are prescribed. Surgical intervention is not needed. Ibuprofen can cause GI distress, so it should be administered with food to help reduce this distress.

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 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 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.

The student nurse is preparing a presentation on bones and bone growth. What information should the student include? Select all that apply.

- Calcium and vitamin D play important roles in bone growth and bone breakdown. - Calcitonin plays a role in remodeling of bone. - Periosteum is the outer covering of the bone. Calcium, vitamin D, and calcitonin are involved in original bone formation, replacement of old by new bone tissue (remodeling), and bone breakdown (resorption). Adipose cell formation happens in the yellow, not red, marrow. The diaphysis is the lengthy central shaft of the long bone; the epiphysis is the rounded end portion of the long bone.

The nurse is caring for a child who fractured his harm in an accident. A cast has been applied to the child's right arm. Which actions should the nurse implement? Select all that apply.

- Document any signs of pain. - Check radial pulse in the both arms. - Monitor the color of the nail beds in the right hand. 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.

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? Select all that apply.

- 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.

The nurse is caring for a child who had a cast on his lower leg placed two hours ago. When assessing the child's foot, the nurse notes that the toes are cool and the child reports extreme pain. What is the best action by the nurse?

Notify the health care provider of the findings immediately. Cool fingers or toes, extreme pain, and impaired movement are symptoms of compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome can severely decrease blood flow to the area causing damage and necrosis to the surrounding area. If compartment syndrome occurs, the cast needs to be released immediately; therefore, the health care provider must be notified of these assessment findings immediately. Administration of pain medication, positioning, and ice are interventions that may be prescribed after a cast is placed, but they are not the first treatment for compartment syndrome.

The nurse is caring for an 8-month-old in Bryant traction for developmental dysplasia of the hip and is monitoring for complications. Which assessment finding would alert the nurse to a possible complication?

A weak pedal pulse A diminished pedal pulse could be a sign of neurovascular compromise caused by pressure from the elastic bandages. Brisk capillary refill is a normal finding. Mild fussiness is to be expected and is nonspecific when an infant is immobilized and has both legs extended vertically. Bryant traction is a type of skin traction and does not use pins.

The nurse assists with the application of a full-body plaster cast to a child. The child immediately becomes diaphoretic and reports feeling hot. Which nursing intervention would be indicated?

Advise the child that this is to be expected. Plaster becomes hot as it sets. This effect is reduced with newer plastic casts. This is a normal expectation about which to educate the child before the application of the cast. If discomfort continues, notify the provider. Infection would not present in this way with a cast application. Never moisten a cast.

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.