A nurse is caring for a newborn who is 4 hours old. The newborn is lying in the bassinet, lightly swaddled.
The newborn appears jittery with a weak cry when disturbed. The extremities are mottled with acrocyanosis.
The respirations are rapid and unlabored. What action should the nurse take?
Monitor the newborn’s vital signs
Swaddle the newborn more tightly
Administer oxygen to the newborn
Notify the healthcare provider .
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
The newborn’s symptoms, such as being jittery with a weak cry when disturbed, mottled extremities with acrocyanosis, and rapid, unlabored respirations, are signs of neonatal abstinence syndrome. This condition can occur in newborns exposed to certain drugs while in the mother’s womb. The first step in managing this condition is to monitor the newborn’s vital
signs. This will help the healthcare team assess the newborn’s condition and determine the appropriate treatment plan. Monitoring vital signs is a crucial part of nursing care, especially for newborns who are showing signs of distress. It provides valuable information about the newborn’s physiological status and response to the environment. Regular monitoring can help detect any changes in the newborn’s condition early, allowing for timely intervention.
Choice B rationale
Swaddling the newborn more tightly is not the best action to take in this situation. While swaddling can provide comfort and help soothe a fussy baby, it is not a treatment for the symptoms the newborn is exhibiting. Furthermore, swaddling should be done correctly to avoid any potential risks such as overheating or hip dysplasia. In this case, the newborn’s symptoms need to be addressed directly, which is why monitoring vital signs is a more appropriate action.
Choice C rationale
Administering oxygen to the newborn is not the most appropriate action based on the symptoms described. While the newborn’s respirations are rapid, they are also unlabored, which suggests that the newborn is not currently experiencing respiratory distress. Oxygen therapy is typically reserved for situations where the newborn is showing signs of respiratory distress, such as grunting, flaring nostrils, or cyanosis around the mouth and tongue. In this case, the acrocyanosis (bluish color of hands and feet) is a common and normal finding in newborns due to immature circulation and is not an indication for oxygen therapy.
Choice D rationale
Notifying the healthcare provider is an important step when caring for a newborn showing signs of distress. However, in this situation, the first action the nurse should take is to monitor
the newborn’s vital signs. This will provide valuable information about the newborn’s current condition that can be reported to the healthcare provider. It’s important for the nurse to gather as much information as possible before contacting the healthcare provider so that they can have a productive discussion about the newborn’s condition and the next steps in their care.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Ensuring the newborn’s diaper is snug is not specific to the Plastibell circumcision technique. It is a general care tip for all newborns.
Choice B rationale
While it’s important to monitor the circumcision site for signs of infection, a dark red tip of the penis is not a specific concern related to the Plastibell circumcision technique.
Choice C rationale
Yellow exudate, which is a normal part of the healing process, will form at the surgical site within 24 hours. This is a normal part of the healing process and should not be mistaken for pus, which would indicate an infection.
Choice D rationale
The Plastibell device is not removed 4 hours after the procedure. Instead, it falls off naturally after about a week.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The nurse should close the newborn’s eyes before applying eyepatches. This is because the intense light used in phototherapy can harm the newborn’s eyes. Therefore, protective eye patches are used to shield the newborn’s eyes from the light while allowing the rest of the body to be exposed to the light. This helps to convert the bilirubin in the skin into a form that can be easily eliminated from the body.
Choice B rationale
Turning the newborn every 4 hours is not specifically related to phototherapy. While turning is important for preventing pressure ulcers, it does not directly impact the effectiveness of phototherapy. The primary goal of phototherapy is to expose as much of the newborn’s skin as possible to the light, which helps to reduce the level of bilirubin.
Choice C rationale
Applying hydrating lotion to the newborn’s skin prior to treatment is not recommended. The use of lotions or creams can block the light and reduce the effectiveness of phototherapy. The skin should be clean and free of any barriers to light penetration.
Choice D rationale
Providing the newborn with 15 mL glucose water after each feeding is not directly related to phototherapy. While maintaining hydration is important for all newborns, it does not specifically enhance the effectiveness of phototherapy for jaundice.
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