Over the last week, an infant with a repaired myelomeningocele has had a high-pitched cry and been irritable. Length, weight, and head circumference have been at the 50th percentile. Today length is at the 50th percentile, weight is at the 70th percentile, and head circumference is at the 90th percentile. The nurse should do which of the following?
A. Tell the parent this is normal for an infant with a repaired myelomeningocele
B. Tell the parent this might mean the baby has increased intracranial pressure
C. Suspect the baby’s intracranial pressure is low because of a leak
D. Refer the baby to the neurologist for follow-up care
Answer:B
Over the last week, an infant with a repaired myelomeningocele has had a high-pitched cry and been irritable. Length, weight, and head circumference have been at the 50th percentile. Today length is at the 50th percentile, weight is at the 70th percentile, and head circumference is at the 90th percentile. The nurse should do which of the following?
A. Tell the parent this is normal for an infant with a repaired myelomeningocele B. Tell the parent this might mean the baby has increased intracranial pressure C. Suspect the baby’s intracranial pressure is low because of a leak D. Refer the baby to the neurologist for follow-up care