Question

A 4-day-old infant is admitted to the pediatric unit with a cleft lip and palate. surgery to repair the lip is scheduled for later in the week. which assessment finding requires notification of the surgeon and will probably result in cancellation of the surgery?

Answer 1

The nurse should notify the surgeon of sucking ability of the infant. The defect may interfere with the ability of the infant to latch around the nipple and might require a special device for feeding.  

The lip can be repaired during the first weeks of the infant life. However, the palate is better to wait until 6 months to 1 year to be repaid to promote facial growth.