An infant with hydrocephalus is hospitalized for surgical placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Which intervention should the nurse include in postoperative care?

An infant with hydrocephalus is hospitalized for surgical placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Which intervention should the nurse include in postoperative care?

• A. Observe closely for signs of infection.
• B. Pump the shunt reservoir to maintain patency.
• C. Administer sedation to decrease irritability.
• D. Maintain Trendelenburg position to decrease pressure on the shunt.

Answer: (A)

Postoperative care after ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement centers on preventing and detecting infection promptly. The shunt creates a direct path from the brain to the abdomen, so infection can travel along the device and cause serious complications like meningitis or shunt malfunction. The infant may show subtle signs, so the nurse should vigilantly monitor the incision for redness, drainage, or swelling and watch for fever, irritability, poor feeding, vomiting, or lethargy. Regular neuro checks and monitoring head circumference in an infant help catch problems early, enabling timely treatment and potential shunt revision if needed. Other interventions that involve manipulating the shunt or positioning the infant in ways that alter intracranial dynamics are not considered beneficial postoperatively and can risk overdrainage or increased intracranial pressure. Sedation to suppress irritability can obscure important clinical changes.

Postoperative care after ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement centers on preventing and detecting infection promptly. The shunt creates a direct path from the brain to the abdomen, so infection can travel along the device and cause serious complications like meningitis or shunt malfunction. The infant may show subtle signs, so the nurse should vigilantly monitor the incision for redness, drainage, or swelling and watch for fever, irritability, poor feeding, vomiting, or lethargy. Regular neuro checks and monitoring head circumference in an infant help catch problems early, enabling timely treatment and potential shunt revision if needed.

Other interventions that involve manipulating the shunt or positioning the infant in ways that alter intracranial dynamics are not considered beneficial postoperatively and can risk overdrainage or increased intracranial pressure. Sedation to suppress irritability can obscure important clinical changes.