A nurse is caring for a newborn who has a myelomeningocele and is admitted to the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) to await surgery. Which of the following nursing goals is priority in the care of this infant?
Promote maternal-infant bonding
Provide age-appropriate stimulation.
Educate the parents about the defect.
Maintain integrity of the sac.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Promote maternal-infant bonding: While promoting maternal-infant bonding is essential for the overall well-being of the newborn and family, it may not be the priority in this situation. The immediate focus is on medical management and preventing complications associated with the myelomeningocele.
B. Provide age-appropriate stimulation: Age-appropriate stimulation is important for newborn development, but in the case of a newborn with a myelomeningocele awaiting surgery, the priority is to minimize any potential risk of injury or infection to the exposed neural tissue.
C. Educate the parents about the defect: Education about the myelomeningocele and its long-term implications is crucial for the parents' understanding and ability to care for their child. However, while important, this may not be the priority at the immediate moment.
D. Maintain integrity of the sac: This is the priority nursing goal in caring for a newborn with a myelomeningocele awaiting surgery. The sac covering the exposed neural tissue must be carefully protected to prevent infection and further damage. Measures such as keeping the sac moist with sterile saline dressings and preventing trauma to the area are essential to maintain its integrity.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["5.4"]
Explanation
Convert the child's weight from pounds (lb) to kilograms (kg):
20 lb × (1 kg / 2.20462 lb) ≈ 9.07 kg
Calculate the total daily dose of cefazolin:
Total daily dose = 30 mg/kg/day × 9.07 kg = 272.1 mg/day
Divide the total daily dose into two equal doses:
Each dose = 272.1 mg / 2 ≈ 136.05 mg
Determine the dose per ml using the available oral suspension concentration:
125 mg/5 ml = 25 mg/ml
Calculate the volume of oral suspension needed for each dose:
Volume per dose = Dose per dose / Concentration per ml
≈ 136.05 mg / 25 mg/ml
≈ 5.44 ml
So, the child should receive approximately 5.44 ml per dose of cefazolin oral suspension.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Obtain a throat culture.
This option is not appropriate as a primary nursing action in the acute management of epiglottitis. While obtaining a throat culture may be necessary for diagnostic purposes, it is not a priority in the immediate care of a child with suspected epiglottitis. The focus should be on ensuring airway patency and providing emergency treatment.
B. Visualize the epiglottis using a tongue depressor.
This option is contraindicated in the acute management of epiglottitis. Direct visualization of the epiglottis using a tongue depressor or other instruments can provoke spasm of the epiglottis and worsen airway obstruction. Attempting to visualize the epiglottis should be avoided until the child's airway has been secured in a controlled environment, such as in the operating room under anesthesia.
C. Provide moist air to reduce the inflammation of the epiglottis.
This option is appropriate. Providing moist air, such as humidified oxygen or a cool mist, can help soothe the inflamed tissues of the epiglottis and upper airway. Moist air may help alleviate discomfort and reduce inflammation, although it will not directly address the risk of airway obstruction. It is often used as supportive therapy in conjunction with other interventions.
D. Initiate airborne precautions.
This option is not necessary for the care of a child with epiglottitis. Epiglottitis is not typically transmitted through airborne droplets. The priority in the management of epiglottitis is ensuring a patent airway and providing appropriate treatment to reduce inflammation and prevent complications.
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