When preparing a class on newborn care for expectant parents, what content should be taught concerning the newborn infant born at term gestation?
- A. Milia are white marks caused by sebaceous glands and typically resolve within 2 to 4 weeks.
- B. Meconium is the first stool and is typically dark green or black in color.
- C. Vernix caseosa is a white, cheesy substance mainly found in skin folds, providing a protective layer.
- D. Pseudostrabismus in newborns usually self-resolves without the need for intervention.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Vernix caseosa is a white, cheesy substance that acts as a protective barrier on the skin of newborns, particularly present in skin folds. It helps to prevent dehydration and protect the delicate skin of the newborn from the amniotic fluid in utero. Educating expectant parents about the presence and function of vernix caseosa can help them understand the importance of its preservation during the immediate postnatal period.
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Upon arrival in the nursery, a newborn infant is breathing satisfactorily but appears dusky. What action should the LPN/LVN take first?
- A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
- B. Suction the infant's nares, then the oral cavity.
- C. Check the infant's oxygen saturation rate.
- D. Position the infant on the right side.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The priority action in this scenario is to check the infant's oxygen saturation rate. This will provide crucial information on the infant's oxygen levels and the need for immediate oxygen therapy. Assessing oxygen saturation is essential in determining the severity of hypoxia and guiding further interventions to ensure adequate oxygenation.
The nurse is caring for a one-year-old child following surgical correction of hypospadias. Which nursing action has the highest priority?
- A. Monitor urinary output
- B. Auscultate bowel sounds
- C. Observe appearance of stool
- D. Record percent of diet consumed
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
At 35 weeks gestation, a client complains of 'pain whenever the baby moves.' The nurse notes a temperature of 101.2 F (38.4 C) with severe abdominal or uterine tenderness on palpation. What condition do these findings indicate?
- A. Round ligament strain.
- B. Chorioamnionitis.
- C. Abruptio placenta.
- D. Viral infection.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
A 4-week-old premature infant has been receiving epoetin alfa (Epogen) for the last three weeks. Which assessment finding indicates to the healthcare provider that the drug is effective?
- A. Slowly increasing urinary output over the last week.
- B. Respiratory rate changes from the 40s to the 60s.
- C. Changes in apical heart rate from the 180s to the 140s.
- D. Change in indirect bilirubin from 12 mg/dl to 8 mg/dl.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Epoetin alfa stimulates erythropoiesis, leading to an increase in red blood cell production and improving oxygen-carrying capacity. As the oxygenation status improves, there is a reduction in heart rate. Therefore, changes in apical heart rate from the 180s to the 140s indicate that the drug is effective.
When performing the daily head-to-toe assessment of a 1-day-old newborn, the nurse observes a yellow tint to the skin on the forehead, sternum, and abdomen. Which action should the nurse take?
- A. Measure bilirubin levels using transcutaneous bilirubinometry.
- B. Evaluate cord blood Coombs test results.
- C. Review maternal medical records for blood type and Rh factor.
- D. Prepare the newborn for phototherapy.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The presence of a yellow tint on the skin of a newborn suggests jaundice. The initial step in managing jaundice in a newborn is to measure bilirubin levels, typically done using transcutaneous bilirubinometry. This measurement helps determine the severity of jaundice and guides appropriate treatment interventions. Evaluating cord blood Coombs test results or reviewing maternal medical records for blood type and Rh factor are not the immediate actions indicated when jaundice is suspected. Phototherapy may be considered after confirming elevated bilirubin levels and assessing the need for treatment.