Final answer:
When caring for an infant with pyloric stenosis, a nurse should monitor for dehydration, maintain fluid balance, prepare for surgery, provide post-op care, and educate parents.
Step-by-step explanation:
In caring for an infant diagnosed with pyloric stenosis, a nurse would anticipate several tasks. These include monitoring the infant for signs of dehydration due to vomiting, maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance through IV therapy, preparing the infant for surgery since pyloric stenosis often requires a surgical intervention known as pyloromyotomy to relieve the obstruction, and providing post-operative care which includes pain management, feeding guidance, and monitoring for complications.
It is essential for the nurse to also educate the parents about the condition, what to expect during the treatment process, and how to care for their child after surgery. The nurse may also work with a multidisciplinary team to ensure a comprehensive care plan is in place for the infant.
Postnatally, the medical team must ensure that gastric emptying occurs properly in infants. Pyloric stenosis can interfere with this process, and thus, careful medical management is essential.