Chapter 22: Nursing Care of the Child With
an Alteration in Mobility/Neuromuscular or
Musculoskeletal Disorder Verified and
Updated Questions and Answers (100%
Correct Answers)
1. The nurse is teaching the mother of a 5-year-old boy with a myelomeningocele
who has developed a sensitivity to latex. Which response from his mother indicates a
need for further teaching?
A) "He needs to get a medical alert identification."
B) "I will need to discuss this with his caregivers."
C) "A product's label indicates whether it is latex-free."
D) "He must avoid all contact with latex."
Answer: Ans: C
Feedback: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all medical supplies
be labeled if they contain latex, but this is not the case with consumer products. The
mother must be familiar with products that contain latex. The Spina Bifida
Association of America maintains an updated list of latex-containing products.
Getting a medical alert identification, talking with his caregivers, and avoiding all
contact with latex are correct
2. The nurse is providing postoperative care for a 14-month-old girl who has
undergone a myelomeningocele repair. The girl's mother is extremely anxious and
tells the nurse she is afraid she will never learn how to care for her daughter at
home. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
A) "I will help you become comfortable in caring for your daughter."
B) "You must learn how to care for your daughter at home."
C) "You will need to learn to collaborate with all the caregivers."
D) "There is a lot to learn, and you need a positive attitude."
Answer: Ans: A
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Feedback: The nurse needs to empower families to become the experts on their
child's needs and conditions via education and participation in care. The most
positive approach is to let the mother know the nurse will support her and help her
become an expert on her daughter's care. Telling the mother that she must learn how
to care for her daughter or that she must have a positive attitude is not helpful.
Telling her that she needs to collaborate with the caregivers is true, but does not
address her fears.
3. The nurse is conducting a physical examination of a child with a brachial plexus
injury. Which finding would lead the nurse to be highly suspicious of Erb palsy?
A) The child is unable to close one of his eyes.
B) The involved extremity is adducted, prone, and internally rotated.
C) Asymmetry of the face occurs when the child is crying. D) The mouth is drawn to
the noninvolved side.
Answer: Ans: B
Feedback: Erb palsy is an upper brachial plexus injury and the involved extremity
usually presents as adducted, prone, and internally rotated. Inability to close one
eye, facial asymmetry, or drawing of the mouth to the noninvolved side are
associated with facial nerve palsy as a result of cranial nerve injuries.
4. The nurse is caring for a 10-year-old with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. As part
of the plan of care, the nurse focuses on maintaining his cardiopulmonary function.
Which intervention would the nurse implement to best promote maximum chest
expansion?
A) Deep-breathing exercises
B) Upright positioning
C) Coughing
D) Chest percussion
Answer: Ans: B
Feedback: The nurse should emphasize that the child's position should be arranged
to promote maximum chest expansion. This is usually in the upright position. Deep-
breathing exercises are for strengthening/maintaining respiratory muscles. Coughing
helps clear the airways. Chest percussion helps loosen secretions in lungs
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5. A 6-year-old boy with cerebral palsy has been admitted to the hospital for some
tests. His condition is stable. The boy's mother remains with her son, but she is
obviously exhausted and stressed. Which response by the nurse would be most
appropriate?
A) "Would you like me to bring you a blanket and pillow?" B) "You are doing such a
wonderful job with your son."
C) "He's in good hands; consider going home to get some sleep."
D) "Are you planning to spend the night or to go home?"
Answer: Ans: C
Feedback: Providing daily, intense care can be quite demanding and tiring. When a
child with cerebral palsy is admitted to the hospital, this may serve as a time of
respite for family and primary caregivers. The nurse should remind the mother that
her son is in good hands and urge her to go home. Asking her whether she is
planning to stay might make the mother feel obligated to stay. Asking if she wants a
blanket or pillow does not encourage the mother to leave the hospital. Telling the
mother she is doing a good job is nice, but does not encourage her to take a break.
6. A nurse is caring for a 14-year-old girl following myelography. What is the priority
nursing action?
A) Monitoring for a decrease in spasticity
B) Observing for signs of meningeal irritation
C) Assessing motor function
D) Observing for mental confusion or hallucinations
Answer: Ans: B
Feedback: Following myelography, the nurse should carefully observe for signs of
meningeal irritation because of what is involved in this procedure. Monitoring for a
decrease in muscle spasticity, assessing motor function, and observing for mental
confusion or hallucinations is appropriate following an intrathecal test dose of
baclofen.
7. The nurse has developed a plan of care for a 6-year-old with muscular dystrophy.
He was recently injured when he fell out of bed at home. Which intervention would
the nurse suggest to prevent further injury?