Nursing care for anterior-abdominal wall defects in newborn: 2 case studies

Abstract

This case study report aimed to compare the nursing diagnosis between two newborns with anterior-abdominal wall defects case 1 undergoing surgery with G-6-PD deficiency, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, paleness, hyperkalemia, congenital pneumonia, dyspnea, infection, shock, and Case 2 with congenital heart disease, congenital pneumonia, and dyspnea. The research instrument was Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns Assessment. The same nursing diagnoses were as follows: 1) Ineffective gas exchange, 2) Ineffective control of body temperature, 3) Risk of insufficient nutrition, 4) Risk of infection in the body, 5) Risk of delayed growth and development, and 6) Parents having stress and anxiety. The different nursing diagnoses were as follows: Case 1: 1) Parents lacking confidence in wound care at home, 2) Risk of low blood sugar and 3) Risk of heart attack and Case 2:  1) Having surgical wound pain and 2) Risk of brain damage from high bilirubin. The important nursing care for both case studies included breathing, body temperature control, gastric catheterization, and receiving fluid and nutrients. In terms of the differences in nursing care, for Case 1, The parents were empowered to perform continuing care at home, while in Case 2, The parents were educated about complications after surgery. The results of this study suggest that nurses can use the finding to develop nursing practice guidelines and support nursing care standards for newborns with anterior-abdominal wall defects.