NCC Maternal Newborn Nursing Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Resource for Exam Success!

The condition characterized by difficulty in ventilation and a scaphoid abdomen is indeed congenital diaphragmatic hernia. This condition occurs when there is a defect in the diaphragm, which allows abdominal contents, such as the stomach and intestines, to move into the thoracic cavity. This displacement can severely compress the lungs, leading to respiratory distress due to reduced lung volume and impaired ventilation.

A scaphoid abdomen is a notable physical finding in congenital diaphragmatic hernia, where the abdomen appears flattened or sunken in appearance. This happens because the intestines are pushed upward into the chest cavity, leaving less abdominal content to maintain a normal contour. The presence of respiratory difficulties combined with this specific abdominal appearance are critical indicators of this condition and help clinicians make a timely diagnosis.

Understanding congenital diaphragmatic hernia is important, as early recognition and intervention are crucial for improving neonatal outcomes. Therefore, the characteristics of difficulty in ventilation and the distinctive scaphoid abdomen strongly support the diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.