What priority nursing intervention is needed for a spina bifida patient?

Nursing care planning goals for clients with spina bifida include prevent infection, maintain skin integrity, prevent trauma related to disuse, increase family coping skills, education about the condition, and support.

What are the complications associated with myelomeningocele?

Possible Complications

Fluid buildup on the brain (hydrocephalus) Loss of bowel or bladder control. Brain infection (meningitis) Permanent weakness or paralysis of legs.

How do I manage myelomeningocele?

Myelomeningocele requires surgery to close the opening in the baby’s back within 72 hours of birth. Performing the surgery early can help minimize the risk of infection associated with the exposed nerves. It may also help protect the spinal cord from more trauma.

What is important when caring for a child with myelomeningocele in the preoperative stage?

Pre-operative management for myelomeningocele includes lesion stabilisation, positioning, infection control, prevention of latex sensitivity, monitoring of skin integrity, monitoring of respiratory function, management of neurogenic bladder and bowel, maintenance of thermoregulation and the provision of family support.

Which care is appropriate for an infant with a myelomeningocele?

Babies born with a meningocele or a myelomeningocele usually require care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for evaluation and for surgery to close the defect.

Why does a myelomeningocele require protection after birth?

Postnatal Surgery
In treating myelomeningocele and meningocele, the key priorities are to prevent infection from developing in the exposed nerves and spinal cord through the spinal defect, and to protect the exposed nerves and spinal cord from additional trauma.

Does spina bifida affect the heart?

The baby may also have other problems related to spina bifida that include the following: hydrocephalus (increased fluid and pressure in the head area; occurs in about 80 to 90 percent of cases) heart problems.

What is the most serious complication of spina bifida?

Myelomeningocele is the most serious type of spina bifida. With this condition, a sac of fluid comes through an opening in the baby’s back. Part of the spinal cord and nerves are in this sac and are damaged.

How does the neonatal nurse position a newborn with myelomeningocele pre operatively?

1. Maintain a sterile, latex-free environment. 2. Place the baby in a side-lying position to avoid pressure on the back lesion.

What is the most common problem for children born with a myelomeningocele?

Accumulation of fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus).
Babies born with myelomeningocele commonly experience accumulation of fluid in the brain, a condition known as hydrocephalus.

Does spina bifida affect blood pressure?

People with Spina Bifida are more prone to hypertension than in the general population, we think because they have a higher frequency of some risk factors. It is therefore important to take blood pressure issues seriously and sooner, rather than later.

What is the difference between spina bifida and myelomeningocele?

When people talk about spina bifida, most often they are referring to myelomeningocele. Myelomeningocele is the most serious type of spina bifida. With this condition, a sac of fluid comes through an opening in the baby’s back. Part of the spinal cord and nerves are in this sac and are damaged.

What are the symptoms of myelomeningocele?

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of a Myelomeningocele?

  • weakness, loss of feeling, or trouble moving body parts below the level of the myelomeningocele.
  • problems with bladder (pee) and bowel (poop) control.
  • too much spinal fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus)
  • problem with how the brain is formed (Chiari malformation)

What is the best position for the nurse to place a newborn with a meningocele?