Question

Dominic Greene is an 8-month-old infant who is admitted to the health care facility for surgery later this afternoon. His preoperative orders include a urine specimen for urinalysis and an enema four hours before surgery. Catherine, Dominic’s mother, is with him at the bedside.
a. How would the nurse go about securing the urine specimen from Dominic?

b. What measures would be necessary when administering the enema to Dominic? Would it be appropriate for the nurse to ask Catherine, Dominic’s mother, to help restrain Dominic for the enema? Why or why not?

Answer 1

To get the urine sample from Dominic, the nurse will first make sure that Dominic has been fed with sufficient fluid by his mother. Then she will softly wash the genitals of the infant and pat it dry with a cleaned and soft towel. After washing her hands with soap, she will fasten the bag around the child's genitals using the sticky strip. She can then check the bag after sometime and remove it by cutting off the corners if Dominic has weed. She can then pour the sample form the bag to the test tube and transport it for urinalysis carefully.

The nurse would take the followingmeasure while administring the enema to Dominic -

1. Properly lubricate the tip of the insertion tube for a smooth passage and not applying force as it can tear the thin lining of the anus.

2. Allowing Dominic to relax and soothe him while keeping the tip pressed gently against the anus.

3. If Dominic shows signs of nausea, swelling or too much pain, consult doctor immediately.

Yes itwould be appropriate for the nurse to ask Dominic’s mother, to help restrain Dominic for the enema because these kind of activities are very irritating for infants and they are not at all comfortable. Under such conditions, presence of their mother makes it easy and comfortable for them as well as the healthcare personal to undergo the test or treatment. Infants are totally dependent on their mother for everything and only her presence can turn out the things smoothly.