When planning care for the infant, the nurse should prepare the infant for a dropdown and frequently dropdown.
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A rationale A rectal biopsy is a definitive diagnostic tool for conditions like Hirschsprung's disease, which presents similarly to the clinical scenario implied. However, administering oral laxatives may not be appropriate in this context, as it could exacerbate symptoms or be contraindicated depending on the specific underlying pathology of the infant's digestive system. The choice of intervention must align with the specific disease process. Choice B rationale A pyloromyotomy is the surgical procedure of choice for pyloric stenosis, a condition in which the pyloric sphincter is hypertrophied, obstructing gastric emptying. A hallmark symptom is projectile vomiting, which leads to malnutrition and dehydration. Consequently, measuring abdominal circumference frequently is a crucial nursing intervention to monitor for abdominal distention or changes related to the infant's condition and to assess for potential complications post-operatively. Choice C rationale A radiologist-guided gas enema, also known as a therapeutic air enema, is a common non-surgical treatment for intussusception, which is the telescoping of a bowel segment into another. This procedure utilizes air pressure to reduce the intussusception. Transporting the client is a generic nursing action and not a specific, focused intervention directly related to the procedure's scientific principles or the infant's immediate care needs. Choice D rationale A rectal biopsy is used to confirm the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease by detecting the absence of ganglion cells in the distal colon. However, explaining the purpose of the procedure to an infant is developmentally inappropriate, as infants lack the cognitive ability to comprehend such information. The explanation should be directed to the parents or legal guardians, not the infant themselves.