A nurse is caring for a newborn who is 1 hour old and has a respiratory rate of 50/min, a heart rate of 130/min, and an axillary temperature of 36.1° C (97° F). Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Apply a cap to the newborn's head.
Give the newborn a warm bath.
Reposition the newborn.
Obtain an oxygen saturation level.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Apply a cap to the newborn's head: This is an appropriate intervention to conserve heat in a mildly hypothermic newborn. It is a standard practice to maintain thermal neutrality, especially in the first hours after birth.
B. Give the newborn a warm bath: Bathing is not appropriate for a newborn with a low temperature. Bathing could worsen heat loss and further lower the newborn's body temperature.
C. Reposition the newborn: While repositioning may improve comfort or support effective respiration, it does not directly address the low temperature.
D. Obtain an oxygen saturation level: The respiratory rate (50/min) and heart rate (130/min) are within the normal range for a newborn. Unless other signs of respiratory distress or cyanosis are present, this action is unnecessary.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The nurse should insert an orogastric decompression tube with low wall suction. The newborn has Escherichia coli infection resulting in necrotizing enterocolitis, which can cause abdominal distention, decreased activity level, and bloody stools. The newborn also has a superficial rash on the abdominal wall, which may indicate a bacterial infection. The presence of a fist clenching, thrashing, and crying during light palpation of the
abdomen may indicate pain caused by bowel distention. An orogastric decompression tube with low wall suction can help decompress the bowel and relieve abdominal distention.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Monitor the rectal temperature every 4 hr: Rectal temperature measurement is contraindicated in this newborn due to the risk of trauma to the spinal cord or irritation of the leaking sac. Axillary temperature monitoring is a safer alternative.
B. Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics: Broad-spectrum antibiotics help prevent infection from organisms entering through the exposed or leaking sac. This is a priority intervention to ensure the safety of the newborn.
C. Cleanse the site with povidone-iodine: Povidone-iodine is not recommended for cleansing the sac, as it can cause irritation or toxicity. Instead, the sac should be kept clean and moist with a sterile, saline-soaked dressing.
D. Prepare for surgical closure after 72 hr: Surgical closure of the defect is typically performed within 24 to 48 hours after birth to minimize infection risk and prevent further damage to neural tissue. Waiting beyond this window is not standard practice for a leaking myelomeningocele.
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