A new mother asks the nurse about the white substance" covering her infant. The nurse explains that the purpose of vernix caseosa is to:
Protect the fetal skin from amniotic fluid.
Promote normal peripheral nervous system development.
Allow transport of oxygen and nutrients across the amnion.
Regulate fetal temperature.
The Correct Answer is A
A) Protect the fetal skin from amniotic fluid:
Vernix caseosa is a whitish, cheese-like substance that covers the skin of the fetus during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. It plays an essential role in protecting the fetal skin from prolonged exposure to amniotic fluid, which can be irritating. Vernix also serves as a barrier that helps prevent water loss and protects against potential infections.
B) Promote normal peripheral nervous system development:
While the development of the peripheral nervous system is vital to fetal development, the presence of vernix caseosa is not directly related to promoting nervous system development. The vernix's primary function is to protect the skin, not influence neural development. Neural development occurs due to other factors, such as adequate nutrition and hormonal regulation during pregnancy.
C) Allow transport of oxygen and nutrients across the amnion:
Vernix caseosa does not play a role in transporting oxygen or nutrients across the amnion. Oxygen and nutrients are transferred to the fetus through the placenta and the umbilical cord. The amniotic sac, which contains amniotic fluid, provides a cushioning effect for the fetus, but the vernix itself does not participate in nutrient or oxygen exchange.
D) Regulate fetal temperature:
Vernix caseosa does not directly regulate fetal temperature. Fetal temperature regulation is mainly managed by the mother's body through thermoregulation and the umbilical blood flow. The vernix may provide some protection against temperature fluctuations after birth, but its primary function is to protect the skin, not to regulate temperature.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Manual Expression:
Manual expression is an excellent way to show a new mother that she does have milk or colostrum. By gently massaging and expressing the breast, the mother can see or feel the small amount of colostrum being released. This helps reassure her that milk production has begun, even if it’s not abundant right away. Colostrum is often produced in small amounts during the first few days postpartum, and learning how to express it can provide immediate visual confirmation that milk is available for the baby.
B) Massaging breast to bring milk to the nipple:
While massaging the breast can help facilitate the milk ejection reflex (let-down), it doesn’t necessarily show the mother that she has milk. The milk flow may not be immediately visible without manual expression. The process of massaging can help increase milk flow over time but is not the most effective way to demonstrate the presence of colostrum in the immediate postpartum period.
C) Using a nipple shield:
A nipple shield can sometimes be used to help babies latch more effectively if there are latch issues, but it won’t directly show the mother that she has milk or colostrum. In fact, frequent use of a nipple shield without proper latching technique can interfere with establishing breastfeeding. It’s more important to help the mother with proper latching and positioning, along with demonstrating manual expression.
D) Keeping infant skin to skin:
Skin-to-skin contact is incredibly beneficial for bonding and promoting breastfeeding, as it stimulates the release of oxytocin and encourages the baby to latch. However, it does not directly show the mother that she has milk or colostrum. While it can help initiate milk production, manual expression provides a more direct and immediate way to demonstrate that milk is available.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Mother Rh-, baby Rh+:
RhoGAM (Rh immune globulin) is administered to a mother who is Rh-negative and has delivered a baby who is Rh-positive. If the Rh-negative mother is exposed to Rh-positive blood (via the baby’s blood during delivery), her immune system may start producing antibodies against Rh-positive cells, which could affect future pregnancies. The RhoGAM injection works by preventing the mother from developing these antibodies, thereby protecting any subsequent pregnancies from hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) in which the mother’s antibodies attack the baby’s red blood cells. This is a crucial preventive measure to avoid sensitization to Rh-positive blood.
B) Mother Rh-, baby Rh-:
If both the mother and baby are Rh-negative, there is no concern about the development of antibodies because there is no exposure to Rh-positive blood. Therefore, RhoGAM is not necessary in this situation.
C) Mother Rh+, baby Rh+:
In this scenario, the mother is Rh-positive, so she cannot develop antibodies against Rh-positive blood, regardless of the baby's Rh status. Hence, RhoGAM is not required because there is no risk of Rh incompatibility.
D) Mother Rh+, baby Rh-:
Since the mother is Rh-positive, there is no risk of her immune system attacking an Rh-negative baby’s red blood cells. Thus, RhoGAM is not needed in this case either.
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