Pediatric Nursing Demystified

Spastic:

• Scissor-like gait


• Underdeveloped limbs


• Increased deep tendon reflexes


• Contractures


• Involuntary muscle contraction and relaxation


• Flexion
  Athetoid:


• Uncontrolled, involuntary movements


• Drooling


• Writhing


• All extremities move with voluntary movement


• Difficulty swallowing


• Facial grimacing
  Ataxic:


• Wide-based gait


• Unsteadiness


• Clumsiness


• Poor balance


• Unnatural muscle coordination

Test Results

EEG: Identifies the site in the brain that is causing seizures

CT scan: Identifies the site of the disorder in the brain

MRI: Identifies the site of the disorder in the brain

Metabolic labs: To rule out metabolic disorders

Delayed developmental milestones

Treatment

Administer skeletal muscle relaxant (baclofen [Lioresal]) using a pump

to relax skeletal muscles and reduce spasticity.

Administer anticonvulsants (phenytoin [Dilantin], phenobarbital [Bel-

latal]) to control seizures.

Surgery to correct contractures.

Nursing Intervention

 Perform range-of-motion exercises to prevent contractures.

Use special appliances to help the child perform activities of daily living.

Provide protective head gear and bed pads to prevent injury.

Provide a high-calorie diet because the child will have a high metabo-

lism rate due to high motor function.

Explain the disorder and treatment to the family and that efforts should

be made to ensure that the child reaches the optimal developmental level

possible.

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