Nutrition HESI Practice Exam Related

Review Nutrition HESI Practice Exam related questions and content

A nurse is caring for a new mother who is breastfeeding her term newborn. The newborn weighed 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) at birth and weighs 3.3 kg (7.3 lb) on the second day of life. The mother expresses concern about the weight loss and asks the nurse about the amount of her breast milk. Which of the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?

  • A. Why don't you switch to formula to ensure your baby is eating enough?
  • B. It is common for new mothers to worry that they are not producing enough milk for their baby.
  • C. A healthy newborn can lose 6% of his birth weight before starting to gain weight.
  • D. Your newborn will need to remain in the hospital so his weight can be monitored.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. A healthy newborn can lose up to 6% of their birth weight within the first few days of life, which is considered normal. This weight loss is usually due to fluid shifts and initial adjustments. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Choice A is inappropriate as switching to formula is not necessary at this point. Choice B, while acknowledging the mother's concerns, does not provide factual information about newborn weight loss. Choice D is unnecessary and may cause unnecessary stress to the mother and newborn since monitoring weight loss at home is sufficient unless there are other concerns.