You are caring for a neonate who has Down syndrome. Which of the ...

[daltonest1984]

You are caring for a neonate who has Down syndrome. Which of the following orders would be most helpful to obtain from the pediatrician if the order has not already been written?
 
  a. echocardiogram
  b. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
  c. electromyelogram
  d. computed tomography (CAT) scan

Question 2

Which of the following factors is known to directly increase the incidence of Down syndrome (DS)?
 
  a. alcohol and drug use c. age of mother
  b. vitamin deficiencies d. age of father

[mohan]

Answer to Question 1

A

Feedback
A Correct. An order for an echocardiogram should be obtained from the pediatrician if the order has not already been written. Congenital heart defects (especially septal defects) are common in children with DS. Early detection can vastly improve both the duration and the quality of the life of these children.
B Incorrect. An order for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan would not be justified in this situation.
C Incorrect. An order for an electromyelogram would not be justified in this situation.
D Incorrect. An order for a computed tomography (CAT) scan would not be justified in this situation.

Answer to Question 2

C

Feedback
A Incorrect. Alcohol and drug use is not a factor known to directly increase the incidence of DS.
B Incorrect. Vitamin deficiencies are not a factor known to directly increase the incidence of DS.
C Correct. The exact cause of DS is unknown, however, the incidence increases as the mother's age increases. The incidence for women over 30 years of age is 1 in 1,500, and increases in women over 40 years to 1 in 100 live births.
D Incorrect. Age of father is not a factor known to directly increase the incidence of DS.