Which type of spinal neural tube defect does the nurse recognize as common and usually benign?

The child with a surgically repaired myelomeningocele has a neurogenic bladder. How will the nurse best explain this problem to the parents?

a) "Old urine remains in the bladder because of poor emptying or overfilling, putting your child at risk for urinary tract infection."
b) "Your child dribbles urine because the bladder either is overactive, pushing urine out, or is not active enough, becoming overfilled and causing urine to leak."
c) "While your child is young, urine leaking from the bladder will not be a problem because diapering is expected."
d) "Your child cannot properly control holding urine or emptying the bladder. "

Which diagnostic measure is most accurate in detecting neural tube defect?

Fetal ultrasound is the most accurate method to diagnose spina bifida in your baby before delivery. Ultrasound can be performed during the first trimester (11 to 14 weeks) and second trimester (18 to 22 weeks).

What is spina bifida myelomeningocele?

Myelomeningocele is the most serious type of spina bifida. With this condition, a sac of fluid comes through an opening in the baby's back. Part of the spinal cord and nerves are in this sac and are damaged.

When does Myelomeningocele occur?

Myelomeningocele (MMC), one of the most severe forms of fetal spina bifida, is a condition where the fetus' spinal cord fails to close during development. This happens between 20 and 28 days of gestation, often before a woman knows she is pregnant.

Which characteristic is true of cerebral palsy?

In general, cerebral palsy causes impaired movement associated with exaggerated reflexes, floppiness or spasticity of the limbs and trunk, unusual posture, involuntary movements, unsteady walking, or some combination of these.