Nursing Care of the Newborn

Nursing Care of the Newborn Related

Review Nursing Care of the Newborn related questions and content

The nurse is performing a gestational age assessment on a newborn. Which characteristic indicates the greatest gestational maturity?

  • A. The infant's arms and legs are extended.
  • B. There is some peeling and cracking of the skin.
  • C. There are few rugae on the scrotum and the testes are high in the scrotum.
  • D. The arm can be positioned with the elbow beyond the midline of the chest.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because peeling and cracking of the skin, known as desquamation, is characteristic of a newborn born at term or post-term. This indicates the skin has been in contact with amniotic fluid for an extended period, typical of a more mature gestational age. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not specifically indicate gestational maturity. Arms and legs extended (A) can be seen in preterm infants. Few rugae on the scrotum and high testes (C) can be normal variations in newborns. The arm positioning (D) does not provide a direct indicator of gestational age.

You may also like to solve these questions

A newborn that is a large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infant is in which percentile(s) for weight?

  • A. Below the 90th
  • B. Less than the 10th
  • C. Greater than the 90th
  • D. Between the 10th and 90th
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because a newborn classified as large-for-gestational-age (LGA) is above the 90th percentile for weight based on their gestational age. This means the infant's weight is greater than 90% of other infants of the same gestational age. Choices A and B are incorrect as they indicate being below the 90th percentile, which is not the case for an LGA infant. Choice D is also incorrect as an LGA infant's weight is specifically above the 90th percentile, not between the 10th and 90th percentile.

What newborn blood test determines blood type and testing for Rh incompatibility?

  • A. direct bilirubin level
  • B. indirect bilirubin level
  • C. RBC count with type and cross match
  • D. Coombs test
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The Coombs test detects antibodies against red blood cells, indicating Rh incompatibility.

A nurse is beginning a newborns physical assessment and notes that the infant is jumpy and seems irritable when being handled and when the nurse or parents speak. What action by the nurse is best?

  • A. Ask the mother to attempt to breastfeed the infant.
  • B. Conduct the assessment quickly then swaddle the baby.
  • C. Increase the heat in the room so the baby wont get chilled.
  • D. Postpone the assessment until the infant has calmed.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: An infant who seems irritable and overreacts to voices

The nurse is completing an initial assessment of the newborn. The newborn’s ears appear to be parallel to the outer and inner canthus of the eye. How does the nurse document the ear placement?

  • A. low set
  • B. high set
  • C. a normal position
  • D. facial paralysis
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Ears positioned parallel to the outer and inner canthus are considered normal.

The nurse determines the fundus of a postpartum client to be boggy. Initially, what should the nurse do?

  • A. Document the findings.
  • B. Massage the uterine fundus until it is firm.
  • C. Catheterize the client.
  • D. Call the physician immediately.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Massaging the uterus helps to contract it and control postpartum bleeding, making it the first step in managing a boggy uterus.

Copyright © 2025 Nokea. All rights reserved.