The nurse is monitoring a child with hydrocephalus who received a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt yesterday. Which assessment finding indicates to the nurse that the shunt is functioning normally?

Choice B rationale The absence of continuous headaches in the child indicates that the VP shunt is functioning normally. A VP shunt is used to treat hydrocephalus by draining excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain to the abdomen. If the shunt is functioning properly, it should relieve pressure on the brain and reduce symptoms such as headaches. Choice A rationale While growth in height could be a positive sign of overall health and development, it does not specifically indicate that a VP shunt is functioning properly. Choice C rationale The presence of an intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring probe does not indicate whether the shunt is functioning properly. The probe is a device used to measure ICP and does not provide information about the functionality of the shunt. Choice D rationale Being afebrile with normal vital signs postoperatively is a positive sign, but it does not specifically indicate that the shunt is functioning properly.