A nurse is caring for a newborn who is 4 hours old.

The newborn is lying in a bassinet, lightly swaddled.

The newborn is noted to be jittery with a weak cry when disturbed. Extremities are mottled with acrocyanosis.
Respirations are rapid and unlabored.

What condition is the newborn most likely experiencing? What are two actions the nurse should take to address that condition, and what are two parameters the nurse should monitor to assess the newborn’s progress?

Hypoglycemia

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Cold Stress

Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale
The newborn’s symptoms of jitteriness, weak cry, mottled extremities with acrocyanosis, and rapid, unlabored respirations are indicative of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia in the newborn period can be caused by several factors, including maternal diabetes (gestational or pre- existing), preterm birth, and sepsis. The nurse should take actions to address this condition, such as ensuring the newborn is warm, initiating early feeding to provide the newborn with glucose, and monitoring blood glucose levels.
Choice B rationale
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is a group of problems that occur in a newborn who was exposed to addictive opiate drugs while in the mother’s womb. NAS can cause a wide range of symptoms such as excessive crying, poor feeding, and seizures. However, the symptoms described in the question are more indicative of hypoglycemia.
Choice C rationale
Cold stress can occur in newborns who are unable to maintain their body temperature within a normal range. While some of the symptoms described, such as mottled skin and acrocyanosis, can occur with cold stress, the presence of jitteriness and a weak cry are more indicative of hypoglycemia.
Choice D rationale
Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) is a common problem in premature babies and is caused by a lack of surfactant in the lungs. While rapid, unlabored respirations can be a sign of RDS, the other symptoms described in the question, such as jitteriness and a weak cry, are not typically associated with RDS2.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The correct answer is choice a. Check the client’s serum medication level.

Choice A rationale:

Checking the client’s serum medication level is the most direct and objective method to evaluate medication adherence. It provides a quantifiable measure of the digoxin level in the blood, indicating whether the client is taking the medication as prescribed.

Choice B rationale:

Determining the client’s apical pulse rate is important for monitoring the effects of digoxin, as it can affect heart rate. However, it does not directly measure medication adherence.

Choice C rationale:

Asking the client if they are taking the medication as prescribed relies on self-reporting, which can be inaccurate due to forgetfulness or intentional non-disclosure.

Choice D rationale:

Assessing the client’s kidney function is important for dosing and monitoring potential side effects of digoxin, but it does not directly evaluate medication adherence.

A. Oxygen saturation of 89% B. Nasal flaring C. Fine crackles D. Apneic episode less than 15 seconds

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
An oxygen saturation of 89% in a newborn who was born 2 hours ago and was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit with chest wall retractions and blue discoloration of the hands and feet indicates a decline in the newborn’s status. This level of oxygen saturation is below the normal range for a newborn, which is typically above 95%10111213. This could indicate that the newborn is not getting enough oxygen, which could be due to a variety of conditions, including respiratory distress syndrome.
Choice B rationale
Nasal flaring is a sign of respiratory distress in a newborn. However, it is a nonspecific sign and does not necessarily indicate a decline in the newborn’s status. It could be a normal response to the newborn’s efforts to breathe more effectively.
Choice C rationale
Fine crackles can be a sign of a lung condition in a newborn. However, they are a nonspecific sign and do not necessarily indicate a decline in the newborn’s status. They could be a normal finding in a newborn who was born 2 hours ago.
Choice D rationale
An apneic episode less than 15 seconds in a newborn who was born 2 hours ago is not necessarily indicative of a decline in the newborn’s status. Brief periods of apnea (pauses in breathing) are common in newborns and are usually not a cause for concern unless they last longer than 20 seconds or are associated with other signs of distress.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is reviewing the prescriptions for a pregnant client who is taking digoxin. Which action should the nurse take to best evaluate the client’s medication adherence?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is evaluating a newborn who was born 2 hours ago and was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit with chest wall retractions and blue discoloration of the hands and feet. Which finding indicates a decline in the newborn’s status?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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