Hooray! Let's Learn About Hirschsprung's Disease!

What type of stooling pattern should a nurse suspect in a child with Hirschsprung's disease?

A) Pale gray stools

B) Currant-jelly stools

C) Loose, yellow stools

D) Thin, ribbon-like stools

Answer:

A nurse should suspect Hirschsprung's disease in a child who has thin, ribbon-like stools.

In the case of a nurse trying to identify Hirschsprung's disease in a child based on stooling pattern, the answer would be D) Thin, ribbon-like stools. Hirschsprung's disease is a health condition that affects the large intestine (or colon) and creates difficulties with passing stool. This is usually identified in infants where it's noticed they haven't had a bowel movement in the first 48 hours after birth. Children with this disease typically have stools that are thin and ribbon-like due to a blockage in the intestine caused by the lack of nerve cells in a segment of the colon.

So, when you see those thin, ribbon-like stools in a child, it's time to suspect Hirschsprung's disease and provide the necessary medical attention!