Question

A major nursing intervention for an infant born with myelomeningocele is to:

a. Protect the sac from injury.
b. Prepare the parents for the child's paralysis from the waist down.
c. Prepare the parents for closure of the sac at around 2 years of age.
d. Assess for cyanosis.

Answer 1

The primary nursing intervention for an infant with myelomeningocele is to protect the sac from injury to prevent further damage or infection, with early surgery typically required to close the defect.

Step-by-step explanation:

A major nursing intervention for an infant born with myelomeningocele is to protect the sac from injury. This is essential because the myelomeningocele form of spina bifida involves spinal nerves and can result in severe neurological symptoms due to nerves being affected. Surgery is often necessary to close the defect and should be performed as early as possible to minimize the risk of further damage or infection.