Congenital Anomalies Overview

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the most common bladder anomaly in newborns?

Vesicoureteral reflux

Epispadias

Exstrophy of the bladder (correct)

Hypospadias

Which population is more affected by exstrophy of the bladder?

Males twice as often as females (correct)

Neither, it affects adults primarily

Females only

Equally among genders

What initial procedure is crucial for managing an exposed bladder in a newborn?

Covering it with sterile gauze soaked in normal saline (correct)

Applying a topical ointment

Waiting for the infant to stabilize first

Immediate surgical closure

What is a significant emotional response from parents upon seeing their newborn with a congenital anomaly?

Self-blame and grief Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the 'Knowing' aspect of the Caring Theory in nursing support for families?

Understanding the family's emotions and grief Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'Enabling' component of Caring Theory involve?

Providing information and guidance Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about surgical repair for exstrophy of the bladder is true?

Staged surgical repairs are typically done before school age. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of nursing in supporting families with congenital anomalies?

Providing parental and family support during the crisis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are classified as Central Nervous System anomalies?

Encephalocele Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of live births is affected by congenital anomalies?

2%-3% Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common type of congenital anomaly?

Cardiac anomalies Signup and view all the answers

Which gastrointestinal anomaly is characterized by a defect in the abdominal wall?

Omphalocele Signup and view all the answers

What is a key nursing management strategy for infants with congenital anomalies?

Providing supportive care and monitoring Signup and view all the answers

Which respiratory system anomaly involves a failure of normal airway development?

Choanal Atresia Signup and view all the answers

What factors are often linked to the occurrence of congenital anomalies?

Increased maternal age Signup and view all the answers

What is the most severe neural tube defect characterized by the absence of both cerebral hemispheres?

Anencephaly Signup and view all the answers

What proportion of congenital defects has no identifiable cause?

50% Signup and view all the answers

Which nursing intervention is essential for managing a patient with diaphragmatic hernia?

Placing the infant in high semi-Fowler's position Signup and view all the answers

Cyanosis and noisy respirations in infants may indicate which condition?

Choanal Atresia Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary treatment for anencephaly that is compatible with life?

Palliative care and family support Signup and view all the answers

What condition involves herniation of the bowel through an abdominal wall defect and is NOT usually associated with other congenital anomalies?

Gastroschisis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common sign of gastrointestinal obstruction in infants?

Persistent rash on the abdomen Signup and view all the answers

Which nursing intervention should be performed for a newborn diagnosed with gastroschisis?

Cover the exposed bowel with saline-soaked gauze Signup and view all the answers

What is a definitive nursing intervention for managing choanal atresia in an infant?

Insert oral airway Signup and view all the answers

Infants with which condition may exhibit bowel sounds heard in the thoracic cavity?

Diaphragmatic Hernia Signup and view all the answers

What type of congenital anomaly is characterized by an imperforate anus?

Anorectal Malformation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a risk factor for omphalocele?

Adequate prenatal care Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant sign of respiratory distress in infants with diaphragmatic hernia?

Unequal chest expansion Signup and view all the answers

Which congenital condition results in herniation of abdominal contents contained within a peritoneal sac?

Omphalocele Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of nursing care for a newborn undergoing surgery for congenital gastrointestinal anomalies?

Maintenance of adequate respiratory function Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Newborn Congenital Anomalies

Congenital anomalies are defects present at birth caused by genetics or environmental factors
Between 2-3% of live births have congenital anomalies
Congenital anomalies are the leading cause of infant deaths under 1 year of age
50% of congenital anomalies have no identifiable cause
Cardiac anomalies are the most common type of congenital anomaly

Central Nervous System Anomalies

Encephalocele is a herniation of the brain and meninges, usually found in the occipital area of the skull
Encephalocele treatment is surgery
Anencephaly is the most severe neural tube defect
Anencephaly results in the absence of both cerebral hemispheres and the overlying skull
Many with anencephaly are stillborn
Anencephaly is incompatible with life
Anencephaly is associated with palliative care

Respiratory System Anomalies

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a condition where the intestines herniate into the chest cavity, compressing the lungs
Symptoms of diaphragmatic hernia include barrel chest and scaphoid abdomen, asymmetric chest expansion, respiratory distress, displacement of heart sounds, spasmodic attacks of cyanosis, difficulty feeding, and bowel sounds in the thoracic cavity
Nursing interventions for diaphragmatic hernia include maintaining adequate respiratory status, gastric decompression, placing the infant in a high semi-Fowler’s position, turning to the affected side, and involving parents in care
Choanal atresia is a common nasal anomaly where the posterior nares are blocked by a membrane or bone
Symptoms fo choanal atresia include cyanosis, retractions at rest, color improvement with crying, noisy respirations, difficulty breathing during feeding, and copious/thick mucous
Nursing interventions for choanal atresia include passing a feeding tube to confirm the diagnosis, inserting an oral airway, and keeping the infant prone to prevent aspiration on secretions

Gastrointestinal System Anomalies

Omphalocele is a herniation of abdominal contents contained in the peritoneal sac
Omphalocele may contain the intestines, liver, and spleen
Risk factors for omphalocele include young/advanced maternal age, obesity, use of SSRIs alcohol or tobacco
Gastroschisis is a herniation of the bowel through an abdominal wall defect
Gastroschisis is not usually associated with other congenital anomalies
Risk factors for gastroschisis include maternal age less than 20, low maternal weight, IUGR, tobacco, recreational drug and antidepressant use, genitourinary infections, exposure to atrazine
Nursing interventions for omphalocele and gastroschisis include covering the exposed abdominal contents with saline-soaked sterile gauze to avoid insensible water loss, thermoregulation, preventing infection, decompressing the gut with an orogastric tube to low wall suction, and monitoring perfusion

Gastrointestinal Obstruction

Obstructions can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract
Symptoms of gastrointestinal obstruction include bilious emesis, abdominal distention, failure to pass meconium, and respiratory distress if obstruction is high
Nursing interventions for a Gastrointestinal obstruction include holding feeds, placing an orogastric tube to low wall suction, and immediate surgical intervention

Genitourinary System Anomalies

Exstrophy of the bladder is the most common bladder anomaly
Exstrophy of the bladder is more common in males
Epispadias is often concurrent with exstrophy of the bladder
Nursing interventions for exstrophy of the bladder include covering the exposed bladder with sterile gauze soaked in normal saline, surgical closure of the bladder typically within 48 hours of birth, and staged surgical repairs completed before school age

Most Important Intervention for Congenital Anomalies of the Newborn

The most important intervention is parental and family support
Families are in crisis when they first see their newborn, even if they have a pre-existing diagnosis
Deformities are emotionally traumatic for families
Parents often blame themselves
Grief and loss are common emotions, even if the infant survives
Individuals deal with grief and loss uniquely

Nursing Theory for Supporting Families with a Newborn with Congenital Anomalies

The Nursing Theory of Caring is a valuable model of practice for helping families in crisis.
The Theory of Caring is comprised of five caring processes: knowing, being with, doing for, enabling, and maintaining belief
By implementing the Theory of Caring, nurses can better support families through a difficult time.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the critical aspects of congenital anomalies in newborns, including types and causes. Learn about cardiovascular, central nervous system, and respiratory system anomalies, along with their impacts on infant health and survival. This quiz highlights important medical knowledge regarding congenital conditions present at birth.