A nurse is attending to a newborn who was delivered at 39 weeks of gestation and is now 36 hours old.

The newborn has been breastfeeding 3 to 4 times per day and has voided once since birth but has not passed meconium stool yet.

Which of the following observations should the nurse report to the provider?

Choice A rationale
The instillation of antibiotic ophthalmic ointment is delayed to facilitate bonding between the newborn and the parent. Immediate skin-to-skin contact between the newborn and the parent has been shown to have several benefits, including stabilizing the newborn’s heart rate, temperature, and breathing, stimulating digestion, helping the newborn to sleep, promoting weight gain, and aiding in maternal attachment.
Choice B rationale
The newborn’s weight does not affect the timing of the instillation of antibiotic ophthalmic ointment.
Choice C rationale
Manifestations of infection in the newborn’s eyes would not be immediately apparent following birth, so this would not be a reason to delay the instillation of antibiotic ophthalmic ointment.
Choice D rationale
The mode of delivery, whether vaginal or cesarean, does not affect the timing of the instillation of antibiotic ophthalmic ointment.

Choice A rationale
Gestational diabetes mellitus is not a contraindication for a contraction stress test. This condition affects how the mother’s body uses glucose (sugar) during pregnancy, but it does not interfere with the ability to perform a contraction stress test.
Choice B rationale
A previous stillbirth is not a contraindication for a contraction stress test. A stillbirth refers to the loss of a baby after 20 weeks of pregnancy. While this is a significant event, it does not prevent the mother from undergoing a contraction stress test in a subsequent pregnancy.
Choice C rationale
A nonreactive nonstress test is not a contraindication for a contraction stress test. A nonreactive nonstress test indicates that the baby’s heart rate does not speed up (or “react”) as it should when the baby moves. However, this result does not prevent the mother from undergoing a contraction stress test.
Choice D rationale
A previous classical incision is a contraindication for a contraction stress test. A classical incision refers to a vertical cut in the upper part of the uterus, which is typically used during a cesarean section. This type of incision increases the risk of uterine rupture, which can be life- threatening for both the mother and the baby. Therefore, a contraction stress test, which induces contractions, should not be performed due to the risk of uterine rupture.