Paediatric GI & Nutrition MCQs for Nursing Exams

Answer: A. Large, pale, frothy and very foul-smelling

Steatorrhoea stools – Large, pale, frothy, very foul-smelling stools; secondary lactose intolerance after gastroenteritis causes watery frothy stools with red raw perianal skin.

Answer: A. Meningitis

Kernigs and Brudzinski’s sign are classic diagnostic feature of meningitis.

Answer: B. Tachycardia

Tachycardia occurs early; hypotension is a late sign.

Answer: A. "Their stools are large and smelly."

Celiac disease is a disorder involving intolerance to the protein gluten, which is found in wheat, rye, oats, and barley. The stools of a child with celiac disease are characteristically malodorous, pale, large (bulky), and soft (loose). Excessive flatus is common, and bouts of diarrhea may occur. Dark urine is commonly associated with concentrated urine, such as when a child has dehydration. The belly of a child with celiac disease, a malabsorption disorder, typically is protuberant. A small belly may be associated with a child who is thin. Short stature is not associated with this malabsorption disorder.

Answer: C. Give the infant finger foods such as dry cereal and chopped meat

A diet of only milk is not sufficient to meet the infant's iron needs. Meat and fortified cereals are high in iron. Finger foods are appropriate for older infants. 1 At this age weaning from the bottle is not the issue; supplementary iron intake is. 2 Although health care and monitoring will be required, the metabolic clinic is not the appropriate referral. 4 Although this will increase iron intake, it is not appropriate for a 1-year-old infant, nor is it desirable.