Question

Formulate a nursing care plan for the preoperative and postoperative care of a child with myelomeningocele

Answer 1

Ans) Nursing Management for Meningocele:

- If the skin covering the sac is intact and the child has normal neurologic functioning, surgical correction may be delayed.

- However, as in a child with myelomeningocele, immediately report any evidence of leaking cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to ensure prompt intervention to prevent infection.

- Nursing management will be supportive. Provide preoperative and postoperative care similar to the child with myelomeningocele:

• to prevent rupture of the sac

• to prevent infection

• to provide adequate nutrition and hydration.

- Monitor for symptoms of constipation or bladder dysfunction that may result due to increasing size of the lesion. Resulting hydrocephalus has been associated with some cases of meningocele.

- Therefore, monitor head circumference and watch for signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure (ICP).