Cleft palate/ Cleft lip

Question 1

What would be a top nursing diagnosis for a client with a cleft palate/cleft lip?

anytime you’re putting an oral med in a baby’s mouth, how should you do it?

Answer 1

alteration in nutrition (that’s why they have to be fed with an elongated nipple down in the side of their mouths)

• put it on the side of their mouths

Question 2

when a baby is born with a cleft lip and palate, which problem do they correct first?

Answer 2

the lips because the cartillage is mostly cartillage when you’re a baby, so they wait until there’s more bone. Also, they repair the lip to promote bonding.

Question 3

Why should an infant with cleft lip and palate be burped or bubbled frequently?

Answer 3

they swallow a lot of air

Question 4

the nurse should position the child in the____ position following cleft lip repair.

DO NOT PLACE IN THE___ POSITION.

Answer 4

back or side lying position

• the goal is to protect the suture line*
• prone

Question 5

what should the suture line be cleaned with post-op?

Answer 5

saline

Question 6

when is the best time for cleft palate repair to be done?

Answer 6

before speech develops… between the ages of 1 and 2

Question 7

with cleft palate repair, why do we avoid putting things in child’s mouth (hard things in particula like straws, cookies, thermometer)?

Answer 7

we don’t want to disrupt the suture line (baby has to be on a soft diet until it’s well healed)

Question 8

Are speech defects common after a cleft palate repair?

Answer 8

yes

Question 9

what restraint would the nurse select following cleft lip repair?

Answer 9

elbow restraints (will keep arms straight so they can’t get their hands into their mouths)