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Which explains why infants who are delivered via cesarean section before the start of labor have more difficulty transitioning to extrauterine life?

  • A. The use of warm IV fluids precipitates hyperthermia.
  • B. Regional anesthesia causes respiratory depression.
  • C. The maternal left tilt position reduces placental blood flow.
  • D. Residual amniotic fluid in the lungs makes spontaneous respirations difficult.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because infants delivered via cesarean section before labor may not have had the opportunity to expel amniotic fluid from their lungs through the vaginal passage, leading to respiratory distress. This residual fluid can hinder the initiation of spontaneous respirations, causing difficulty in transitioning to extrauterine life. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because hyperthermia from warm IV fluids, respiratory depression from regional anesthesia, and reduced placental blood flow from maternal position are not primary factors affecting the infant's ability to transition to extrauterine life in this scenario.