Question

A nurse is reinforcing education for the parents of a child who has been diagnosed with spina bifida. Which statement by the parents would indicate an understanding of spina bifida?

Answer 1

The parents would need to demonstrate knowledge of spina bifida, its causes, and its symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

In order to indicate an understanding of spina bifida, the parents would need to demonstrate knowledge of the condition, its causes, and its symptoms. They may mention that spina bifida is a birth defect of the spinal cord that occurs when the neural tube does not completely close during development, leading to the emergence of meninges and neural tissue through the vertebral column. The parents might also explain that there are three classes of spina bifida: occulta, meningocele, and myelomeningocele, with myelomeningocele being the most severe form involving protrusion of meninges and spinal nerves, resulting in severe neurological symptoms.