Abnormal urethra opening on the dorsal opening of penis

Abnormal urethra opening on the ventral opening of penis

Abnormal urethra opening at the tip of the penis

Abnormal urethra opening at the scrotal sac

DSSSB - 28 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Easy

Epispadias means?

Appeared in: DSSSB - 28 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

Epispadias is a congenital anomaly where the urethral meatus is located on the dorsal (top) surface of the penis.
This is in contrast to the normal position at the tip of the glans penis.
The term 'dorsal' refers to the upper side or back of an organ or structure.
Epispadias is often associated with a more severe condition called bladder exstrophy.

Option B: An abnormal urethral opening on the ventral (underside) of the penis is the definition of hypospadias, not epispadias.
Option C: A urethral opening at the tip of the penis is the normal anatomical location, not an abnormality like epispadias.
Option D: An opening at the scrotal sac or perineum is a severe form of hypospadias (perineal hypospadias), where the opening is on the ventral aspect of the genital area, not the dorsal aspect.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definition and anatomical location of epispadias as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in the pre- and post-operative care of infants undergoing surgical repair for epispadias. This includes wound care, pain management, monitoring for signs of infection, and ensuring proper function of urinary catheters or stents.
Providing emotional support and education to the parents is a key nursing responsibility. Parents are often distressed about the appearance of their child's genitals and the need for surgery.
Long-term follow-up is necessary to monitor for complications such as urinary tract infections, strictures, and issues with continence or sexual function as the child grows.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the key term in the question: 'Epispadias'.
Recall the medical terminology for anatomical directions: 'dorsal' means top/back, and 'ventral' means bottom/front.
Associate 'epispadias' with the dorsal surface. A helpful mnemonic is that 'epi' means 'upon' or 'above', so the opening is 'upon' the penis.
Contrast this with 'hypospadias', where 'hypo' means 'under', so the opening is 'under' the penis.
Evaluate the options based on this definition. Option A correctly places the opening on the dorsal surface.
Eliminate the other options: B describes hypospadias, C describes the normal location, and D describes a severe form of hypospadias.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QCcpElOoHv0Pq5Tg9N5NVF

E6 Obstetrics Williams p. 24-43

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 1088-1090

Practise the full DSSSB - 28 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.