Health Promotion and Maintenance
94. A nurse should suspect Hirschsprung's disease in a child who has which type of stooling pattern?
Health Promotion and Maintenance
94. A nurse should suspect Hirschsprung's disease in a child who has which type of stooling pattern?
Test-Taking Tip
Since Hirschsprung's disease results in obstruction of the lower GI tract, the expected stooling pattern will reflect stools that have become compressed by the obstruction.
Content Area: Child Health, Gastrointestinal; Integrated Process: Nursing Process, Assessment; Cognitive Level: Comprehension; Client Need/Subneed: Physiological Integrity/Basic Care and Comfort/Elimination
Health Promotion and Maintenance
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Answer 1 is incorrect because pale gray stools are associated with conditions related to insufficient bile output (e.g., cirrhosis). Answer 2 is incorrect because currant-jelly stools are associated with a diagnosis of intussusception. Answer 3 is incorrect because loose, yellow stools are normal for a breastfed newborn. Answer 4 is correct because the child with Hirschsprung's disease will have infrequent stools that appear thin and ribbon-like.
