A nurse is assisting with the care of a newborn who has neonatal abstinence syndrome. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Weigh the newborn's wet diaper.
Auscultate the newborn's bowel sounds.
Determine the newborn's respiratory rate.
Swaddle the newborn in blankets.
The Correct Answer is C
A. weighing the newborn's wet diaper, is a routine part of newborn care but is not the first priority in this situation.
B. auscultating the newborn's bowel sounds, is important for assessing gastrointestinal function but is not the first priority when the baby is at risk for respiratory distress.
C. Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a condition that occurs in newborns who were exposed to addictive substances in utero. One of the key concerns in NAS is respiratory distress, so determining the newborn's respiratory rate is the first priority.
D. swaddling the newborn in blankets, is a comfort measure but does not address the immediate concern of assessing respiratory status in a baby with suspected NAS.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Uterine atony
Uterine atony refers to the lack of muscle tone in the uterus after delivery, leading to excessive bleeding. This is not typically associated with abruptio placentae, which involves the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall during pregnancy, typically presenting with different symptoms such as painful contractions and bleeding.
B. Polyhydramnios
Polyhydramnios refers to an excessive amount of amniotic fluid during pregnancy and is not a characteristic of abruptio placentae. Polyhydramnios can be associated with various conditions but is not directly linked to placental abruption.
C. Painless vaginal bleeding
Painless vaginal bleeding is more characteristic of placenta previa, a condition where the placenta is abnormally positioned over the cervix. Abruptio placentae, on the other hand, typically presents with painful vaginal bleeding due to the detachment of the placenta from the uterine wall.
D. Board-like abdomen
A board-like abdomen is a classic sign of abruptio placentae, indicating significant uterine muscle contraction and possible internal hemorrhage. The sudden separation of the placenta can cause blood to accumulate behind the placenta, leading to a rigid, "board-like" feeling of the abdomen, which is a hallmark symptom of this condition.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. weighing the newborn's wet diaper, is a routine part of newborn care but is not the first priority in this situation.
B. auscultating the newborn's bowel sounds, is important for assessing gastrointestinal function but is not the first priority when the baby is at risk for respiratory distress.
C. Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a condition that occurs in newborns who were exposed to addictive substances in utero. One of the key concerns in NAS is respiratory distress, so determining the newborn's respiratory rate is the first priority.
D. swaddling the newborn in blankets, is a comfort measure but does not address the immediate concern of assessing respiratory status in a baby with suspected NAS.
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