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 D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Informing the client that the law requires them to name the fetus is not accurate. Laws vary by location, but most do not require parents to name a stillborn fetus. It is important to provide accurate information and support the parents in their decisions during this difficult time.
Choice B rationale
Limiting the amount of time the fetus is in the client’s room is not necessarily beneficial. Each family will have different needs and preferences when it comes to spending time with their stillborn baby. Some families may find comfort in holding and spending time with their baby, while others may prefer not to. The nurse should support the family’s decisions and provide compassionate care.
Choice C rationale
Instructing the client that an autopsy should be performed within 24 hours is not necessarily beneficial. The decision to perform an autopsy will depend on a variety of factors, including the parents’ wishes, the circumstances of the stillbirth, and local laws and regulations. It is important to provide the parents with information and support them in making this decision.
Choice D rationale
Providing the client with photos of the fetus can be a helpful part of the grieving process for some families. It allows them to remember their baby and can be a tangible reminder of the baby’s existence. However, this should be done based on the family’s wishes.

A. Glucose level B. Head assessment finding sclera color C. Respiratory rate D. Intake and output

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
While monitoring glucose levels is important in newborn care, it is not specifically related to breastfeeding frequency and voiding patterns.
Choice B rationale
While assessing the newborn’s head and sclera color is part of a comprehensive newborn examination, it is not specifically related to breastfeeding frequency and voiding patterns.
Choice C rationale
While monitoring the newborn’s respiratory rate is crucial in newborn care, it is not specifically related to breastfeeding frequency and voiding patterns.
Choice D rationale
Monitoring intake and output is directly related to breastfeeding frequency and voiding patterns. A newborn who has been breastfeeding 3 to 4 times per day should have passed meconium stool by 36 hours old. The absence of meconium stool could indicate a problem and should be reported to the provider.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client immediately following the delivery of a stillborn fetus. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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