Question

Steffan van Elbing, 3 years old, is brought to the local clinic. He is from the nearby Mennonite community and his parents tell the nurse that Steffan is "different" from other children in the community. During your nursing assessment you learn that Steffan was born at home and has never been seen by a physician.

You note that Steffan has microgenia, an unusually round face, macroglossia, almond-shaped eyes, upslanting palpebral fissures, short limbs, a single transverse palmar crease, poor muscle tone, and a larger than normal space between the big and second toes. (Learning Objectives 1, 3, and 4)
A. What would the nurse know to include in the nursing assessment?
Steffan is found to have a moderate intellectual disability.
B. Discuss the therapeutic management of Steffan.

Answer 1

Answer: A. the child is suspected to have a genetic disorder known as down syndrome (trisomy 21). There is higher risk of thyroid dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea, ear infection, congenital heart defect. So therefore special care for the child is advisable.

B. Therapeutic management can include

Physical therapy including activities and exercise.

Speech language therapy

Emotional and behavioural therapies

Drugs and supplements like amino acids

Step-by-step explanation: