What should the nurse include in the teaching plan for parents of an infant diagnosed with phenylketonuria (PKU)?
ExplanationA. In phenylketonuria, the absence of the hepatic enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase prevents metabolism (hydroxylation to tyrosine) of the amino acid phenylalanine. The increased fluid levels of phenylalanine in the body and the alternate metabolic by-products (phenylketones) are associated with severe mental retardation if not identified and treated early.
B. Testing for PKU cannot be done until after several days of milk ingestion.
C. Medications are not part of therapy for PKU.
D. PKU is transmitted by an autosomal recessive gene.
