Pediatric Nursing Demystified

Blue sclera

Fractures occurring for no obvious reason

Short statue in all but type I

Test Results

Radiograph: Shows fractures or healed fractures

Treatments

No known cure

Physical therapy to strengthen muscles and prevent osteoporosis

Nursing Interventions

Handle patients gently to prevent fractures and bruising.

Teach the parents how to care for the patient.

Torticollis

What Went Wrong?

The sternocleidomastoid muscle is damaged from intrauterine malposition of

the fetus in or from birth trauma resulting in unusual contraction of the ster-

nocleidomastoid muscle causing the head to bend toward the affected muscle.

Torticollis can also occur from trauma not related to birth.

Signs and Symptoms

Neck is flexed toward the affected sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Test Results

Decreased range of motion of the head to the unaffected sternocleido-

mastoid muscle

Treatments

Low-impact neck stretching exercise to strengthen the neck.

Apply heat to encourage healing.

Frequent shiatsu massages to relieve tension caused by the contracting

muscle.

Nursing Interventions

Provide support to the patient’s neck and head.

Teach the parents how to care for the patient.

Scoliosis

What Went Wrong?

Scoliosis is the lateral curvature of the spine (see Fig. 13-2). The cause is

unknown. There are three types of scoliosis:

(^288) Pediatric Nursing Demystified