Question

Cerebral Palsy: Scenario: T.M. is an 8-year-old with cerebral palsy who has been admitted to your unit following surgery for a femoral osteotomy and tendon lengthening to stabilize hip joints and to help reduce spasticity. He is admitted with a hip spica cast, and epidural for pain management, and a Foley catheter. He also has a gastrostomy tube that was in place before the surgery.

Answer 1

4, Assess the patient for any pressure injury and check patient skin integrity and look for any redness, irritation in the hip spica cast area. check gastrostomy tube for patent and area for any infection.
5, Education:
advise the child and mother that after removal of the catheter if they are not getting urine for 4 hours should inform the doctor.
Can inform if there is burning and irritation and trouble urinating.
advice them to have more fluids
Observe the abdomen for any distension and pain
Monitor the urine output every hourly and time of voiding.
6, discharge :
-Advice mother to provide liquids and diet of tolerated
-If a child unable to urinate and feel discomfort should contact the doctors immediately.
-Provide pain medication as directed and inform if pain not reduced.
-Keep the dressing area dry and intact and watch for any redness
-cover the immobilizer while taking the bath
-Make home safety to avoid fall
-notify doctor if there is any fever, shortness of breath, burning while urinating, redness around the incision site, swelling of legs and pain, etc.