Question

A mother of an infant diagnosed with Hirschsprung's disease asks the nurse about the disorder. The nurse plans to base the response on which of the following?

a) Excess production of stomach acid
b) Lack of ganglion cells in the colon
c) Abnormal development of the liver
d) Inflammation of the pancreas

Answer 1

Hirschsprung's disease is characterized by the lack of ganglion cells in the colon, causing a blockage and difficulty passing stool.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should base the response on option b) Lack of ganglion cells in the colon. Hirschsprung's disease, also known as congenital megacolon, is a condition where there are missing ganglion cells in the colon. These ganglion cells are responsible for coordinating the muscle contractions that move stool through the colon, so their absence leads to a blockage of the colon and difficulty passing stool. This can cause symptoms such as chronic constipation, abdominal distension, and failure to thrive.