A nurse is caring for a client who just delivered a newborn.
Following the delivery, which nursing action should be done first to care for the newborn?
Dry the infant off and cover the head
Stimulate the infant to cry
Clear the respiratory tract
Cut the umbilical cord
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Drying the infant off and covering the head is important to prevent heat loss, but it is not the first action to be taken. The newborn’s body temperature can drop rapidly because of the evaporation of amniotic fluid, so drying the infant is a priority, but not the first one.
Choice B rationale
Stimulating the infant to cry is important as it helps to clear the lungs of amniotic fluid and promotes the expansion of the lungs for effective oxygenation. However, this is not the first action to be taken. The first action is to clear the respiratory tract.
Choice C rationale
Clearing the respiratory tract is the first action to be taken to ensure the newborn can breathe properly. This is done by suctioning the mouth first and then the nose to prevent aspiration of mucus or amniotic fluid, which can lead to respiratory distress.
Choice D rationale
Cutting the umbilical cord is done after the newborn’s respiratory status is stable. It is not the first action to be taken. The umbilical cord is usually clamped and cut by the healthcare provider after it has stopped pulsating, or after the newborn has started to breathe on their own.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While providing age-appropriate stimulation is important for all newborns, it is not the priority nursing goal in caring for a newborn with a myelomeningocele awaiting surgery.
Choice B rationale
Educating the parents about the defect is an important part of care, but it is not the priority nursing goal. The immediate physical needs of the newborn take precedence.
Choice C rationale
This is the correct answer. The sac covering the exposed neural tissue must be carefully protected to prevent infection and further damage. Therefore, maintaining the integrity of the sac is the priority nursing goal.
Choice D rationale
Promoting maternal-infant bonding is important, but it is not the priority nursing goal in caring for a newborn with a myelomeningocele awaiting surgery.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Heart rate of 170. A heart rate of 170 is not a symptom of transient tachypnea of the newborn.
Choice B rationale
Grunting or sighing with respirations. This is a symptom of transient tachypnea of the newborn.
Choice C rationale
Nasal flaring. This is a symptom of transient tachypnea of the newborn.
Choice D rationale
Respirations of 72. This is a symptom of transient tachypnea of the newborn.
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