A 2-week-old infant with Down syndrome is being seen in the clinic. His mother tells the nurse that he is difficult to hold, that "he's like a rag doll. He doesn't cuddle up to me like my other babies did."
What is the nurse's best interpretation of this lack of clinging or molding?
a. Sign of detachment and rejection
b. Indicative of maternal deprivation
c. A physical characteristic of Down syndrome
d. Suggestive of autism associated with Down syndrome
ANS: C
Infants with Down syndrome have hypotonicity of muscles and hyperextensibility of joints, which complicate positioning. The limp, flaccid extremities resemble the posture of a rag doll. Holding the infant is difficult and cumbersome, and parents may feel that they are inadequate. A lack of clinging or molding is characteristic of Down syndrome, not detachment. There is no evidence of maternal deprivation. Autism is not associated with Down syndrome, and it would not be evident at 2 weeks of age.
You might also like to view...
The nurse knows that when clients are unable or unwilling to perform assigned family roles, the family experiences:
1. Stress and disequilibrium. 2. Recognition and communication. 3. Personal and political advocacy. 4. Acceptance.
A baby has just been born with anencephaly. Which action by the labor and delivery charge nurse takes priority?
A. Admit the baby to the NICU. B. Consult the palliative care team. C. Place the infant in protective isolation. D. Prepare the infant for surgery.
A procedure that can be used in testing causal models is:
A) Factor analysis B) Discriminate analysis C) LISREL D) Power analysis
The nurse should instruct the patient with a diagnosis of cholelithiasis to make which lifestyle modification to alleviate symptoms?
1. Reduce sodium intake. 2. Increase fluids. 3. Reduce smoking. 4. Reduce fat consumption.