Which assessment finding causes the nurse to question whether a preschool-aged boy diagnosed with phenylketonuria (PKU)shortly after birth is following the prescribed dietary restrictions?
A) The child's body has a musty odor.
B) The child is a blue-eyed blond.
C) The child appears sleepy and uninterested in the surroundings.
D) The child has a sunburn over his entire body.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A musty odor is a classic symptom of untreated PKU, indicating that the child is not following the prescribed dietary restrictions. PKU is a genetic disorder that prevents the body from breaking down an amino acid called phenylalanine. If phenylalanine builds up in the body, it can cause brain damage and other severe health problems. To prevent brain damage, infants with PKU must follow a special diet that restricts phenylalanine intake from protein. Without this dietary restriction, individuals with PKU will develop symptoms such as the odor of phenylacetic acid in sweat and urine. The other options, including blue eyes and blond hair (B), sleepiness (C), and sunburn (D), are not necessarily related to PKU or dietary restrictions.

Which Assessment Finding Causes the Nurse to Question Whether a Preschool-Aged