NREMT Paramedic Practice

What symptom is NOT typically associated with pyloric stenosis?

1. Progressive vomiting

2. Dehydration

3. Increased appetite

4. Dry mucous membranes

The correct answer is: Increased appetite

Pyloric stenosis is a condition that primarily affects infants, where the pylorus (the opening from the stomach to the small intestine) becomes narrowed, leading to difficulty in gastric emptying. Symptoms commonly associated with this condition include non-bilious projectile vomiting, dehydration, and signs of fluid loss such as dry mucous membranes. In contrast, an increased appetite is not typically associated with pyloric stenosis. Infants with this condition often appear hungry and demand to feed frequently; however, their inability to retain food due to the obstruction means they are not actually receiving proper nutrition. As a result, despite their increased desire to eat, they may end up losing weight and displaying signs of malnourishment. This highlights the clinical picture of pyloric stenosis, where the inability to feed effectively due to vomiting and the subsequent physiological consequences creates a cycle that leads to more cravings without fulfillment, reinforcing why increased appetite is not a characteristic symptom of this condition.