Nursing: Intussusception in Children

This article discusses the signs, symptoms, causes, and effects of intussusception in children. It also explores the role of nurses in delivering developmentally appropriate care for this condition. Learn about the pathophysiology of intussusception and the importance of family-centered care. Find out how to prevent and treat this condition.

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Nursing
Name
Institution

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Nursing
Introduction
Intussusception is a condition whereby a part of intestines folds into sections immediately
ahead of it (Susanne, 2010). This condition occurs in children under the age of two years. This
paper will clearly discuss the signs and symptoms of this disease and also its causes. It will also
explain its effects on jay and his parents. The paper will also explain some roles of a nurse in the
prevention of intussusception.
Describe the pathophysiology of the presenting complaint in the case study.
Intussusception is a common abdominal emergency which mostly affects children under
the age of two years (Lisa, 2014). It happens when one the portions of the bowel slides into the
next. This blocks the flow of food and fluids through the bowels. In this case, the intestines swell
and bleed, hence stopping blood supply to the affected part of the intestines (Jennifer, 2010).
This can eventually lead to the impairment of the bowel. This condition is most common to
children below 9 months where boys are affected more than girls.
Children with this condition experience abdominal pain which occurs from time to time
and makes the kid to draw his/her knees up towards the chest (Gerard, 2010). Because of
discomfort, the pain makes a kid to cry or imply other actions which shows discomfort but as it
ceases, he/she can stop crying and adapt normal behavior. The pain comes from time to time and
the its intense also keep changing. Like in this case, jay had spasmodic abdominal pains and
during this, he draws his legs up and had a high pitched cry.
The symptoms associated with intussusception includes adnominal swelling, vomiting
and passing stools (Liam & James, 2012). As the conditions continue, the child becomes weaker

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and he might develop a fever. It can also lead to a life-threatening condition whereby insufficient
blood flow to some of the crucial body organs can make the heart beat to increase and the blood
pressure to reduce. These are some of the symptoms found in jay. Due to vomiting, he has
developed problems with feeding and this made him become weak.
In most cases, doctors don’t understand the causes of intussusception but it might follow
the recent attack of the stomach flu. Bacterial and viral infection can trigger the swelling of the
disease-fighting lymph tissue found along the intestines (Ann, 2017). This may cause one part of
the intestine to be pulled into the other. Intussusception is a medical emergency and if a child is
experiencing abdominal pain or vomiting, one should call a doctor immediately. Most children
who are treated within the shortest time possible, like for instance, before the end of 24 hours
recover completely. Untreated intussusception can bring more problems and increases risks of
tearing of the bowel, tissue damage, infection and in most cases death.
Evaluate the nurse’s role in delivering developmentally appropriate nursing care in
relation to your chosen case study
Nursing of infants is sometimes challenging because their knowledge about life keep
changing as they grow and develop (David, 2017). Growth and development are processes which
take place from birth and continue throughout each stage of the life cycle. Nursing care of
children is directed at promoting the optimal level for each person. It is important for nurses to
understand that infancy and childhood are termed as unique phases in the development of human
beings and should be accompanied by special needs. For the nurses to understand these needs,
they should have proper knowledge in the normal growth and development from the conception.

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There are several theories which explain how basic needs for children changes during
growth and development from conception until death but in this case, will talk about Piaget's
theory. This theory discusses the steady development of cognitive process such as problem-
solving (Jane, 2012). Cognitive development is a process whereby a child becomes an intelligent
person. It also shows at what age a child is supposed to be engaged in health conversation. In his
theory, Piaget discussed various stages of cognitive development.
The first stage is known as sensorimotor and includes children from birth to 2 years. This
stage of intellectual development is characterized by sensations in which simple learning takes
place (Renee & Barbara, 2012). At this stage, children experience difficulties in solving
problems. A child here progresses from reflex activity through repetitive to imitative behaviours.
At this stage, a nurse normally gets information about the health progress of a child from the
parent. This stage is sensitive for the growth and development and nurses should pay a lot of
attention in their care. In this case, nurses cannot discuss health issues with jay but his parents.
The second stage in Piaget's theory is preoperational which includes children from the
age of 2 to 7 years. This stage is characterized by egocentricity whereby children consider their
own viewpoint as the only one possible (Marilyn, 2010). Thinking is usually concrete and
tangible and the children lack the ability to make deductions and generalizations. The children at
this stage are a bit able to solve problems but not in the correct process. Nurses can, therefore,
engage children in some of the health questions though not all. This includes simple questions
like what are they feeling, what they prefer and so on. Though nurses can engage these children
into the health discussion, they cannot do it in the absence of their parents.
Concrete operational is the third stage in Piaget's theory of intellectual development of
the children. This stage includes children from the age of 7-11 years. At this stage, thinking of

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these children becomes logical and are able to solve problems in a systematic way (Maureen,
2013). The children are able to consider other people points of view other than their own.
Children start developing a greater reasoning ability. In this stage, nurses can involve the
children in the discussion of health problems. The presence of a parent at this stage is less
needed. They can also advise these children on what they should be doing to avoid certain health
complications.
The last stage is the formal operational and includes children of above 11 years. At this
stage, thinking is characterized by logical reasoning (Katie, 2014). The adolescent is now able to
solve problems and draw logical conclusions. At this stage, nurses can engage the adolescents in
the discussion of health issues without the presence of parents. Also, adolescents can visit health
facilities on their own.
Family-centred care is an approach to health care which shapes policies, programs and
staff day to day interactions (Colleen, 2014). The admission of jay in the hospital has negatively
affected his siblings. In this case of jay family-centred care involves giving them correct
information regarding their child’s health. This would help in understanding his health
improvements and whether he requires advanced health care. This would also include
encouraging the family that their child would be better and the condition is curable.
It is also good to understand the strengths of the family to avoid giving them information
which can affect their health (Joanne, 2013). Also, nurses should engage parents of jay at all
levels of their healthcare. This would enable them to get all the necessary information about their
child’s health. They should also adopt policies and procedures which can provide the family with
emotional and financial support (Cindy, 2017). Considering cheap and best policies and
procedures would not require the family to strain too much which can lead to health and finance

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problems. To the extended family, nurses should facilitate family support and networking,
understand their cultural beliefs to avoid breaching them during the care of jay.
The hospitalization of jay has brought about negative effects on him and the family. This
has caused jay his social life for he no longer sees his playmates. Jay has also become weak due
to lack of enough food and vomiting. To the family, his parents spend most of their time
alongside jay and this has lowered the standards of living because they no longer go to work.
After being given information about the progress of jay, this has made his parents more
depressed because spending more days in the hospital would mean that they should incur extra
costs. However, the progress of the child has also bought some happiness for the parents because
they now believe that their child will not die.
Conclusion
Intussusception is a common abdominal emergency which mostly affects children under
the age of two years. Children with this condition should receive immediate treatment because it
can easily lead to death. Intussusception happens when one portion of the bowel slides into the
next. This prevents the flow of food and fluids through the bowels which intestines to swell and
start bleeding. It, therefore, stops the blood supply to the affected part of the intestines hence
impairment of the bowel.
Nursing of infants is sometimes challenging because their knowledge about life keep
changing as they grow and develop. There are certain stages in which children cannot be
involved in health discussions. Nursing care of children is directed at promoting the optimal
level for each person. It is important for nurses to understand that infancy and childhood are
unique stages in development and are accompanied by special needs. For the nurses to

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understand these needs, they need knowledge of normal growth and development from the
conception.

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