Inquire through: | Professional | Confidential Support
CHAPTER 16:Nursing Care of the Child With
an Alteration in Intracranial Regulation/
Neurologic Disorder Verified and Updated
Questions and Answers (100% Correct
Answers)
When providing care to a newborn infant who was born at 29 weeks' gestation, the
nurse integrates knowledge of potential complications, being alert for signs and
symptoms of what condition?
A) Neonatal conjunctivitis
B) Facial deformities
C) Intracranial hemorrhage
D) Incomplete myelinization
Answer: Intracranial hemorrhage
Premature infants have more fragile capillaries in the periventricular area than term
infants, which puts them at greater risk for intracranial hemorrhage. Neonatal
conjunctivitis can occur in any newborn during birth and is caused by viruses,
bacteria, or chemicals. Facial deformities are typical of babies of alcoholic mothers.
Incomplete myelinization is present in all newborns.
The nurse knows that children have larger heads in relation to the body and a higher
center of gravity. When developing a teaching plan for parents, the nurse includes
information about an increased risk for which problem?
A) Febrile seizures
B) Head trauma
C) Caput succedaneum
D) Posterior plagiocephaly
Answer: Head trauma
, Inquire through: | Professional | Confidential Support
The larger head size in relation to the body, coupled with a higher center of gravity,
causes children to hit their head more readily when involved in motor vehicle
accidents, bicycle accidents, and falls. Febrile seizures are not related to anatomy or
physiology. Caput succedaneum is an edematous area on the scalp caused by
pressure of the uterus or vagina during head-first delivery. Posterior plagiocephaly is
caused by early closure of the lamboid suture.
The nurse is caring for a child hospitalized with Reye syndrome who is in the acute
stage of the illness. The nurse would assess the child most carefully for what
finding?
A) Indications of increased intracranial pressure
B) An increase in the blood glucose level
C) A decrease in the liver enzymes
D) A presence of protein in the urine
Answer: Indications of increased intracranial pressure
Reye syndrome is characterized by brain swelling, liver failure, and death in hours if
treatment is not initiated. Therefore, increased intracranial pressure could occur.
Liver enzyme levels typically increase. Blood glucose levels and protein in the urine
are not characteristic of this illness.
The physician has ordered rectal diazepam for a 2-year-old boy with status
epilepticus. Which instruction is essential for the nurse to teach the parents?
A) Monitor their child's level of sedation.
B) Watch for fever indicating infection.
C) Gradually reduce the dosage as seizures stop.
D) Monitor for an allergic reaction to the medication.
Answer: Monitor their child's level of sedation.
Diazepam is useful for home management of prolonged seizures and requires that
the parents be educated on its proper administration. Monitoring the child's level of
sedation is key when giving diazepam because it slows the central nervous system.
Parents need to monitor the overall health of the child, including temperature when
needed, but that has nothing to do with the diazepam. When the use of an
anticonvulsant is stopped, gradual reduction of the dosage is necessary to prevent
CHAPTER 16:Nursing Care of the Child With
an Alteration in Intracranial Regulation/
Neurologic Disorder Verified and Updated
Questions and Answers (100% Correct
Answers)
When providing care to a newborn infant who was born at 29 weeks' gestation, the
nurse integrates knowledge of potential complications, being alert for signs and
symptoms of what condition?
A) Neonatal conjunctivitis
B) Facial deformities
C) Intracranial hemorrhage
D) Incomplete myelinization
Answer: Intracranial hemorrhage
Premature infants have more fragile capillaries in the periventricular area than term
infants, which puts them at greater risk for intracranial hemorrhage. Neonatal
conjunctivitis can occur in any newborn during birth and is caused by viruses,
bacteria, or chemicals. Facial deformities are typical of babies of alcoholic mothers.
Incomplete myelinization is present in all newborns.
The nurse knows that children have larger heads in relation to the body and a higher
center of gravity. When developing a teaching plan for parents, the nurse includes
information about an increased risk for which problem?
A) Febrile seizures
B) Head trauma
C) Caput succedaneum
D) Posterior plagiocephaly
Answer: Head trauma
, Inquire through: | Professional | Confidential Support
The larger head size in relation to the body, coupled with a higher center of gravity,
causes children to hit their head more readily when involved in motor vehicle
accidents, bicycle accidents, and falls. Febrile seizures are not related to anatomy or
physiology. Caput succedaneum is an edematous area on the scalp caused by
pressure of the uterus or vagina during head-first delivery. Posterior plagiocephaly is
caused by early closure of the lamboid suture.
The nurse is caring for a child hospitalized with Reye syndrome who is in the acute
stage of the illness. The nurse would assess the child most carefully for what
finding?
A) Indications of increased intracranial pressure
B) An increase in the blood glucose level
C) A decrease in the liver enzymes
D) A presence of protein in the urine
Answer: Indications of increased intracranial pressure
Reye syndrome is characterized by brain swelling, liver failure, and death in hours if
treatment is not initiated. Therefore, increased intracranial pressure could occur.
Liver enzyme levels typically increase. Blood glucose levels and protein in the urine
are not characteristic of this illness.
The physician has ordered rectal diazepam for a 2-year-old boy with status
epilepticus. Which instruction is essential for the nurse to teach the parents?
A) Monitor their child's level of sedation.
B) Watch for fever indicating infection.
C) Gradually reduce the dosage as seizures stop.
D) Monitor for an allergic reaction to the medication.
Answer: Monitor their child's level of sedation.
Diazepam is useful for home management of prolonged seizures and requires that
the parents be educated on its proper administration. Monitoring the child's level of
sedation is key when giving diazepam because it slows the central nervous system.
Parents need to monitor the overall health of the child, including temperature when
needed, but that has nothing to do with the diazepam. When the use of an
anticonvulsant is stopped, gradual reduction of the dosage is necessary to prevent