Nursing Care of the Newborn

Nursing Care of the Newborn Related

Review Nursing Care of the Newborn related questions and content

Postnatal nurses expressed concern about neonatal pain management during painful interventions. Using evidence-based practice from research performed by Thakkar, Arora, Das, Javadekar, and Panigrahi (2016), which method of pain control will be used for heel sticks?

  • A. An anesthetic gel will be applied 20 minutes before the stick.
  • B. The stick will be administered while the neonate is breastfeeding.
  • C. A combination of stimulated sucking and receiving sucrose orally.
  • D. The neonate is stuck while the mother and neonate are en face.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, a combination of stimulated sucking and receiving sucrose orally. Thakkar et al. (2016) found that this method effectively reduced pain response during heel sticks in neonates. Stimulated sucking triggers the release of endorphins, providing natural pain relief, while sucrose activates sweet taste receptors, further reducing pain perception. This dual approach addresses both physiological and psychological aspects of pain management in neonates.

Choice A (anesthetic gel) may not be as effective for heel sticks as it takes time to work and may not provide comprehensive pain relief. Choice B (breastfeeding) may distract the neonate but does not directly address pain management. Choice D (en face positioning) may promote bonding but does not offer a specific pain management strategy. Overall, choice C is supported by research and provides a holistic approach to neonatal pain control during heel sticks.

You may also like to solve these questions

A new mother asks why she has to open a new bottle of formula for each feeding. What is the nurse's best response?

  • A. Formula may turn sour after it is opened.'
  • B. Bacteria can grow rapidly in warm milk.'
  • C. Formula loses some nutritional value once it is opened.'
  • D. This makes it easier to keep track of how much the baby is taking.'
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because bacteria can grow rapidly in warm milk, increasing the risk of contamination and illness for the baby. Opening a new bottle for each feeding ensures the formula is fresh and safe for consumption. Choice A is incorrect because formula does not necessarily turn sour immediately after opening. Choice C is incorrect because nutritional value does not significantly decrease after opening. Choice D is incorrect as it does not address the health and safety concerns associated with bacteria growth in opened formula.

What characteristics are directly related to the newborn’s decreased ability to maintain thermal stability?

  • A. A neonate has decreased subcutaneous fat and a large body surface-to-weight ratio.
  • B. The blood vessels in the neonate are farther from the skin than those of an adult.
  • C. Newborns are unable to rely on brown adipose tissue for heat production.
  • D. The newborn prefers to be in constant motion, increasing the surface area exposed to the environment.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Newborns have less subcutaneous fat and a higher surface-to-weight ratio, making thermoregulation challenging.

Infants who develop cephalohematoma are at an increased risk for

  • A. infection.
  • B. jaundice.
  • C. caput succedaneum.
  • D. erythema toxicum.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: jaundice. Cephalohematoma is a collection of blood between the skull and periosteum of a newborn, often caused by birth trauma. This blood breakdown can lead to an increase in bilirubin levels, causing jaundice. Infection (choice A) is not directly associated with cephalohematoma. Caput succedaneum (choice C) is a scalp swelling that resolves on its own and is not linked to cephalohematoma. Erythema toxicum (choice D) is a benign rash common in newborns and is not related to cephalohematoma or jaundice.

A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a parent on preventing SIDS. What action by the parent signifies that they have effectively grasped what has been taught?

  • A. The parent wraps the baby in layers of blankets.
  • B. The parent puts several stuffed animals in the baby’s crib.
  • C. The parent places the infant on the infant’s back to sleep.
  • D. The parent sleeps or shares a bed with the infant.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Placing the infant on their back reduces SIDS risk.

The nurse is completing a gestational assessment on a newborn whose parent was treated for preeclampsia during labor. The neonate is demonstrating 'frog-like' posturing. The nurse knows this is likely due to what medication during labor?

  • A. fentanyl in the epidural
  • B. penicillin for treatment of group B strep infection
  • C. magnesium sulfate for treatment of preeclampsia
  • D. prenatal vitamins
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: magnesium sulfate for treatment of preeclampsia. Magnesium sulfate is commonly used to manage preeclampsia in pregnant women. Neonates born to mothers who received magnesium sulfate may exhibit 'frog-like' posturing due to the effects of the medication crossing the placenta. The other choices, A: fentanyl in the epidural, B: penicillin for treatment of group B strep infection, and D: prenatal vitamins, are not associated with causing 'frog-like' posturing in newborns. Fentanyl in the epidural is a pain medication, penicillin is an antibiotic, and prenatal vitamins are supplements that do not typically cause this specific posturing.

Copyright © 2025 Nokea. All rights reserved.