Nokea
What are the MOST important initial steps in assessing and managing a newborn?
- A. Drying and warming the infant, obtaining an APGAR score.
- B. Clearing the airway, keeping the infant warm.
- C. Suctioning the airway, obtaining a heart rate.
- D. Keeping the infant warm, counting respirations.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most crucial initial steps in assessing and managing a newborn involve clearing the airway to ensure proper breathing and keeping the infant warm to maintain body temperature. Airway clearance helps prevent respiratory distress, while warmth is essential to prevent hypothermia, a common issue in newborns. These steps are vital in the immediate care of a newborn to support their transition to extrauterine life and ensure their well-being. Choice A is incorrect because obtaining an APGAR score is important but not as critical as clearing the airway. Choice C is incorrect as suctioning the airway is not always necessary and obtaining a heart rate is secondary to ensuring a clear airway and warmth. Choice D is incorrect because counting respirations is not as immediate and crucial as clearing the airway.
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What action should you take if a newborn's heart rate is 50 beats/min?
- A. Begin chest compressions.
- B. Reassess in 30 seconds.
- C. Administer blow-by oxygen.
- D. Start positive-pressure ventilations.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: If a newborn's heart rate is below 60 beats per minute, the appropriate action is to start positive-pressure ventilations. Ventilations help deliver oxygen to the newborn's body and support respiratory function, which is critical in cases of bradycardia. Chest compressions are not recommended until the heart rate is below 60 despite adequate ventilation. Reassessment is essential but not the immediate action required in this scenario. Administering blow-by oxygen alone may not effectively address the underlying cause of bradycardia, making positive-pressure ventilations the priority intervention in this case.
Following the initial steps of resuscitation, a newborn remains apneic and cyanotic. What should you do next?
- A. begin ventilations with a bag-mask device.
- B. gently flick the soles of their feet for up to 60 seconds.
- C. immediately suction their mouth and nose.
- D. start CPR if the heart rate is less than 80 beats/min.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: If a newborn remains apneic and cyanotic after the initial resuscitation steps, the next appropriate action is to begin ventilations with a bag-mask device. This helps provide oxygen to the newborn and can be crucial in supporting their respiratory efforts. Option B of flicking the soles of their feet is not recommended in this scenario as the priority is addressing the respiratory distress. Option C of suctioning their mouth and nose is not the immediate next step if the newborn is not spontaneously breathing. Option D of starting CPR based only on the heart rate is not the first-line intervention for an apneic and cyanotic newborn.
Which of the following is an abnormal finding when assessing the abdomen of a newborn?
- A. The umbilical cord has two arteries and one vein.
- B. The presence of green vomit.
- C. The liver is palpable 1 to 2 cm below the costal margin.
- D. The abdomen is soft and nondistended.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The presence of green vomit in a newborn is an abnormal finding and indicates a possible intestinal obstruction. This finding requires immediate attention and further investigation. Choices A, C, and D are normal findings in a newborn's abdomen assessment. A newborn typically has an umbilical cord with two arteries and one vein, a liver that may be palpable 1 to 2 cm below the costal margin due to its normal size in a neonate, and a soft, nondistended abdomen as expected in healthy newborns.
A 3-year-old female has had severe diarrhea and vomiting for 4 days. She is now unresponsive with rapid, shallow respirations and thready radial pulses. Her heart rate is 160 beats/min, and her oxygen saturation is 88%. You should:
- A. Ventilate her with a bag-valve mask.
- B. Start chest compressions.
- C. Administer high-flow oxygen via a non-rebreathing mask.
- D. Place her in the recovery position.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In a pediatric patient presenting with unresponsiveness, rapid, shallow respirations, thready pulses, high heart rate, and low oxygen saturation, the priority is to ensure adequate oxygenation. Ventilating the child with a bag-valve mask is crucial in this scenario to support her breathing and improve oxygenation, as indicated by her low oxygen saturation and respiratory distress. Starting chest compressions is not indicated as the child has a pulse. Administering high-flow oxygen via a non-rebreathing mask may not be as effective as providing positive pressure ventilation with a bag-valve mask in this situation. Placing her in the recovery position is not appropriate when the child is unresponsive and in respiratory distress.
When is a newborn considered premature?
- A. Weighs less than 6.5 pounds.
- B. Is born to a heroin-addicted mother.
- C. Is born before 37 weeks gestation.
- D. Has meconium in or around its mouth.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A newborn is considered premature if it is born before 37 weeks gestation. Premature birth increases the risk of various health problems as the baby may not be fully developed. Choice A is incorrect because the weight alone does not determine prematurity. Choice B is incorrect as it refers to a specific situation but not a direct indicator of prematurity. Choice D is incorrect as the presence of meconium does not solely indicate prematurity.