A full-term, 24-hour-old infant in the nursery regurgitates and suddenly turns cyanotic. Which immediate intervention should the practical nurse (PN) implement?
Turn the infant onto the right side.
Suction the oral and nasal passages.
Give oxygen by positive pressure.
Stimulate the infant to cry.
The Correct Answer is B
In this scenario, the sudden regurgitation and cyanosis in a 24-hour-old infant indicate a potential airway obstruction or compromise. The immediate priority is to clear the airway and ensure adequate ventilation.
Suctioning the oral and nasal passages helps remove any potential obstruction or mucus that may be causing the cyanosis. This intervention aims to restore normal airflow and prevent further respiratory distress in the infant.
Let's briefly evaluate the other options:
a) Turn the infant onto the right side.
Positioning the infant onto the right side does not directly address the potential airway obstruction or cyanosis. While positioning may have some benefit in certain situations, such as facilitating drainage, it is not the most appropriate immediate intervention in this case.
c) Give oxygen by positive pressure.
Administering oxygen by positive pressure may be necessary if the infant's oxygen saturation remains low after suctioning and clearing the airway. However, suctioning should be the initial intervention to address any potential airway obstruction or mucus before considering oxygen administration.
d) Stimulate the infant to cry.
Stimulating the infant to cry is not the appropriate intervention in this case. It does not directly address the potential airway obstruction or cyanosis. Crying requires a patent airway, and if the infant is already cyanotic, it suggests an obstruction or inadequate ventilation. Therefore, suctioning and clearing the airway take precedence over stimulating the infant to cry.
In summary, when a full-term, 24-hour-old infant in the nursery regurgitates and suddenly turns cyanotic, the practical nurse should immediately suction the oral and nasal passages to clear any potential airway obstruction or mucus. This intervention aims to restore normal airflow and ensure adequate ventilation for the infant.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
When providing instructions to a client with a below-the-knee cast for a compound fracture of the left ankle, it is important to prioritize their safety and proper care of the cast. The instruction to never scratch under the cast is crucial for preventing complications and maintaining the integrity of the cast.
Let's evaluate the other options:
a) Apply a cold pack to any "hot spots" on the cast.
Applying a cold pack to any "hot spots" on the cast may help alleviate discomfort or itching, but it is not the highest priority instruction. Preventing scratching under the cast is more important to avoid skin damage or infection.
b) Keep the left leg in a dependent position.
Keeping the left leg in a dependent position (hanging down) is not the appropriate instruction for a client with a below-the-knee cast. It is generally recommended to elevate the injured limb to reduce swelling and promote proper blood flow. Elevating the leg would involve keeping it raised above the level of the heart.
c) Expect some increase in pain.
While it is possible for the client to experience some increase in pain after the application of a cast, this instruction alone is not comprehensive or specific enough for proper discharge education. Providing information about pain management strategies or when to seek medical atention for excessive pain would be more appropriate.
In summary, when discharging a client with a compound fracture of the left ankle and a below-the-knee cast, the practical nurse (PN) should provide the instruction to never scratch under the cast. This helps prevent complications and maintain the integrity of the cast, promoting proper healing of the fracture.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Analgesics are not the most effective classification of medications for treating this pain because they are drugs that relieve pain by blocking pain signals or reducing inflammation, but they do not address the underlying cause of trigeminal neuralgia, which is compression or irritation of the trigeminal nervE.
Choice B reason: Antihistamines are not the most effective classification of medications for treating this pain because they are drugs that block histamine receptors and reduce allergic reactions, but they do not affect the function or activity of the trigeminal nervE.
Choice C reason: Antibiotics are not the most effective classification of medications for treating this pain because they are drugs that kill or inhibit bacteria and treat infections, but they do not treat trigeminal neuralgia unless it is caused by a bacterial infection, which is rarE.
Choice D reason: Anticonvulsants are the most effective classification of medications for treating this pain because they are drugs that stabilize nerve membranes and reduce nerve impulses, which can decrease the frequency and intensity of trigeminal neuralgia attacks
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