A nurse is assisting with the care of a newborn following a vaginal delivery. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform first?
Stimulate the infant to cry.
Clear the respiratory tract.
Dry the infant off and cover the head.
Clamp the umbilical cord.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
Stimulate the infant to cry. While stimulating the infant to cry is a common practice to assess the newborn's respiratory function, it is not the first action the nurse should perform in this situation. The newborn may cry spontaneously or may require other interventions, such as clearing the respiratory tract, before crying.
Choice B rationale:
Clear the respiratory tract. Clearing the respiratory tract is the priority action in this scenario. It ensures that the airway is open and allows the infant to breathe effectively. This is crucial because newborns are at higher risk of respiratory distress after birth, and prompt action can prevent complications.
Choice C rationale:
Dry the infant off and cover the head. Drying the infant off and covering the head are important steps to prevent heat loss and maintain the newborn's body temperature. However, these actions can be delayed briefly until the respiratory tract is cleared, as the immediate focus should be on ensuring the infant's ability to breathe.
Choice D rationale:
Clamp the umbilical cord. Clamping the umbilical cord is a standard procedure after birth to prevent bleeding and infection. However, it is not the priority in this situation. The first step should be to ensure the newborn's airway is clear and they can breathe adequately.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D. Uterine contraction lasting 2 min.
Choice A rationale:
Early decelerations in the FHR are usually not a concern during the second stage of labor. They are a normal physiological response to the compression of the fetal head during contractions and are generally considered benign.
Choice B rationale:
Pelvic pressure with contractions is a normal finding during the second stage of labor as the baby descends into the pelvis. It does not typically require reporting to the provider unless it is associated with other concerning symptoms.
Choice C rationale:
A bloody show from the vagina is a common and expected finding during the second stage of labor. It indicates that the cervix is dilating and effacing, which is a normal part of the labor process.
Choice D rationale:
A uterine contraction lasting 2 minutes is abnormal and could indicate uterine tachysystole, which can lead to fetal distress due to reduced uterine blood flow and oxygen to the fetus. This finding should be reported to the provider immediately.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Fetal head compression is unlikely to cause variable decelerations in the fetal heart rate. During contractions and labor, the fetal head may experience pressure, but this usually leads to early decelerations, not variable decelerations. Early decelerations are considered benign and are caused by the head's pressure stimulating the vagus nerve, resulting in a temporary decrease in heart rate.
Choice B rationale:
nature.
Choice C rationale:
Maternal opioid administration is not a direct cause of variable decelerations in the fetal heart rate. While opioids can cross the placenta and may affect the fetus, they are more likely to cause other issues, such as respiratory depression in the newborn, rather than variable decelerations.
Choice D rationale:
Uteroplacental insufficiency is not the primary factor causing variable decelerations. Uteroplacental insufficiency refers to an inadequate blood flow and oxygen delivery to the placenta, which c
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