A baby operated for cleft lip. Which one of the following things used for feeding?

NORCET 3 - 2022 (Shift-2)

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Medium

Appeared in: NORCET 3 - 2022 (Shift-2)

Explanation

Post-cleft lip repair, the primary goal is to prevent stress on the suture line to promote healing and prevent the wound from opening (dehiscence).
A bulb syringe with a soft rubber tip allows the caregiver to gently deposit formula or breast milk into the side of the infant's mouth.
This method bypasses the need for sucking, which would create harmful tension on the newly repaired lip.

Option B: Infants undergoing this surgery are generally not of an age to consume solid foods. Additionally, solids could contaminate the surgical site and cause irritation.
Option C: Gastric lavage is a medical procedure to empty the stomach's contents (stomach pumping); it is not a method for providing nutrition.
Option D: The strong sucking action required for bottle feeding places significant tension on the suture line, increasing the risk of the wound splitting open (dehiscence).

Visual 1: Illustration - A nurse demonstrating the correct technique of feeding an infant with a syringe post-cleft lip repair, showing the tip placed in the side of the mouth.
Visual 2: Diagram - A comparison showing the forces exerted on the lip by bottle feeding (high tension) versus syringe feeding (low tension).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Postoperative feeding methods for an infant after cleft lip repair (cheiloplasty) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Proper feeding technique is a critical nursing responsibility to ensure surgical success and prevent complications like dehiscence, infection, and poor weight gain.
Nurses must provide clear, hands-on education and return demonstration for parents/caregivers on the chosen feeding method before discharge to ensure continuity of care.
What if? If the infant refuses the syringe, a specialized feeder like a Breck or Haberman feeder, which requires minimal suction, might be considered as an alternative, but only with the surgeon's explicit approval.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: It asks for a safe post-operative feeding method.
Next, analyze the specific procedure: Cleft lip repair involves sutures on the lip.
Consider the primary risk associated with this surgery: Tension or stress on the suture line, which could disrupt healing.
Evaluate each option based on this risk. Ask yourself: 'Does this method create tension on the lip?'
Bottle feeding requires sucking (creates tension). Solid food is inappropriate and risks contamination. Gastric lavage is not a feeding method.
The syringe method avoids sucking and therefore minimizes stress on the surgical site. This makes it the safest and most appropriate choice.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Postoperative feeding methods for an infant after cleft lip repair (cheiloplasty).
Stem keywords: cleft lip, operated, baby, feeding
Lead-in keywords: Which one
Negative lead-in flag: false

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