Author Question: The nurse is obtaining a health history on a 3-month-old infant. During the interview, the mother ... (Read 59 times)

evelyn o bentley · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

The nurse is obtaining a health history on a 3-month-old infant. During the interview, the mother states, I think she is getting her first tooth because she has started drooling a lot. The nurse's best response would be:

a. You're right, drooling is usually a sign of the first tooth.
b. It would be unusual for a 3 month old to be getting her first tooth.
c. This could be the sign of a problem with the salivary glands.
d. She is just starting to salivate and hasn't learned to swallow the saliva.

Question 2

In assessing the tonsils of a 30 year old, the nurse notices that they are involuted, granular in appearance, and appear to have deep crypts. What is correct response to these findings?

a. Refer the patient to a throat specialist.
b. No response is needed; this appearance is normal for the tonsils.
c. Continue with the assessment, looking for any other abnormal findings.
d. Obtain a throat culture on the patient for possible streptococcal (strep) infection.

kjo;oj · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
In the infant, salivation starts at 3 months. The baby will drool for a few months before learning to swallow the saliva. This drooling does not herald the eruption of the first tooth, although many parents think it does.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
The tonsils are the same color as the surrounding mucous membrane, although they look more granular and their surface shows deep crypts. Tonsillar tissue enlarges during childhood until puberty and then involutes.