The nurse is caring for 3-day-old girl with Down syndrome whose mother had no prenatal care. What is the priority nursing diagnosis?
A) Imbalanced nutrition, less than body requirements related to the effects of hypotonia
B) Deficient knowledge related to the presence of a genetic disorder
C) Delayed growth and development related to a cognitive impairment
D) Impaired physical mobility related to poor muscle tone
Ans: A
Children with Down syndrome may have difficulty sucking and feeding due to lack of muscle tone and the structure of their mouths and tongues. This can lead to poor nutritional intake and makes this the priority diagnosis. This also uses the strategy that physiologic needs have priority using Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Deficient knowledge due to lack of information about the disorder is a close second in priority, as the mother did not know of her daughter's condition before birth and has much to learn now. This child is at risk for a number of complications such as infection, heart disease, and leukemia and will require frequent assessment. Most children with Down syndrome experience some degree of intellectual disability, but early intervention will allow the child maximum development within the limits of the disease. Mobility is delayed but should not be a problem at this time.
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