Wong's Essentials of Pediatric Nursing 11th Edition Test Bank - Health Problems of Newborns Related

Review Wong's Essentials of Pediatric Nursing 11th Edition Test Bank - Health Problems of Newborns related questions and content

Rh hemolytic disease is suspected in a mothers second baby, a son. Which factor is important in understanding how this could develop?

  • A. The first child was a girl.
  • B. The first child was Rh positive.
  • C. Both parents have type O blood.
  • D. She was not immunized against hemolysis.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Hemolytic disease of the newborn results from an abnormally rapid rate of red blood cell (RBC) destruction. The major causes of this are maternal-fetal Rh and ABO incompatibility. If an Rh-negative mother has previously been exposed to Rh-positive blood through pregnancy or blood transfusion, antibodies to this blood group antigen may develop so that she is isoimmunized. With further exposure to Rh-positive blood, the maternal antibodies agglutinate with the RBCs of the fetus that has the antigen and destroy the cells. Hemolytic disease caused by ABO incompatibilities can be present with the first pregnancy. The gender of the first child is not a concern. Blood type is the important consideration. If both parents have type O blood, ABO incompatibility should not be a possibility.