Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

When admitting an infant diagnosed with intussusception, which findings should the nurse expect?

1. Steatorrhea

2. Vomiting

3. Lethargy

4. Constipation

The correct answer is: Vomiting

When an infant is diagnosed with intussusception, one of the hallmark findings that a nurse would expect is vomiting. Intussusception occurs when a part of the intestine telescopes into an adjacent segment, leading to obstruction. This obstruction can impede the normal passage of stool and can cause the infant to vomit, often with a characteristic appearance such as bilious vomiting, which indicates that the contents are coming from the intestines rather than the stomach. In cases of intussusception, the infant may also exhibit other symptoms like abdominal pain, which can cause them to be irritable and inconsolable, and there may be signs of abdominal distension. The obstruction typically leads to a compromised blood supply to the affected segment of the intestine, leading to further complications if not treated promptly, which can also contribute to the vomiting. Other options, while they may present in different scenarios, are not expected findings specifically associated with intussusception. For example, while lethargy might be seen in various critically ill conditions, it is not a primary indicator of intussusception. Similarly, steatorrhea (fatty stools) is more related to malabsorption issues rather than obstruction. Constipation may occur in certain conditions but is