The mother of a child with cognitive impairment calls the nurse ...

[roselinechinyere27m]

The mother of a child with cognitive impairment calls the nurse because her son has been gagging and drooling all morning. The nurse suspects foreign body ingestion. What physiologic occurrence is most likely responsible for the presenting signs?
 
  a. Gastrointestinal perforation may have occurred.
  b. The object may have been aspirated.
  c. The object may be lodged in the esophagus.
  d. The object may be embedded in stomach wall.

Question 2

A toddler's mother calls the nurse because she thinks her son has swallowed a button type of battery. He has no signs of respiratory distress. The nurse's response should be based on which premise?
 
  a. An emergency laparotomy is very likely.
  b. The location needs to be confirmed by radiographic examination.
  c. Surgery will be necessary if the battery has not passed in the stool in 48 hours.
  d. Careful observation is essential because an ingested battery cannot be accurately detected.

[ntsoane kedibone]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Gagging and drooling may be signs of esophageal obstruction. The child is unable to swallow saliva, which contributes to the drooling. Signs of gastrointestinal (GI) perforation include chest or abdominal pain and evidence of bleeding in the GI tract. If the object was aspirated, the child would most likely have coughing, choking, inability to speak, or difficulty breathing. If the object was embedded in the stomach wall, it would not result in symptoms of gagging and drooling.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Button batteries can cause severe damage if lodged in the esophagus. If both poles of the battery come in contact with the wall of the esophagus, acid burns, necrosis, and perforation can occur. If the battery is in the stomach, it will most likely be passed without incident. Surgery is not indicated. The battery is metallic and is readily seen on radiologic examination.