Health Promotion and Maintenance
96. A nurse is caring for a newborn infant diagnosed with hypospadias. The parents ask when the surgical repair will be complete. The nurse knows that the most likely time for completion of the surgical repair will be:
. Within the first month of life.
. Not until the child reaches puberty.
. Nearer the child's first birthday.
. Before the child begins school.
Test-Taking Tip
Since toilet training and the development of body image begins in toddlerhood, hypospadias repair is best completed prior to this state of development.
Content Area: Child Health, Genitourinary; Integrated Process: Nursing Process, Implementation; Cognitive Level: Comprehension; Client Need/Subneed: Physiological Integrity/Reduction of Risk Potential/Potential for Alterations in Body Systems
Health Promotion and Maintenance
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Answer 1 is incorrect because this is too early for completion of the surgical repair. Delaying surgery for several months to a year allows time to treat the infant with male hormones to increase the amount of penile tissue prior to surgery. Additionally, surgery on newborns carries an increased risk of complications and should be avoided unless medically necessary. Answer 2 is incorrect because the surgical repair is completed much earlier. Answer 3 is correct because the surgical repair of hypospadias generally begins within the first few months of life and continues in stages, finishing between 6 and 18 months of age, before the child begins toilet training. Answer 4 is incorrect because the surgical repair is completed much earlier.