A nurse is caring for a term newborn who is 48 hr old.

Physical Examination

• High-pitched cry
• Mild tremors when disturbed Increased muscle tone Sneezing six times within 1 hr Excessive sucking
• Color: Consistent with genetic background Excoriation of the chin
• Watery stools Projectile vomiting
• Hyperactive Moro reflex

The nurse is assessing the newborn 24 hr later. How should the nurse interpret the findings?

For each finding, click to specify whether the finding is unrelated to the diagnosis, a sign of potential improvement, or a sign of potential worsening condition.

Platelet count 90,000/mm3: Sign of Potential Worsening Condition - A decreased platelet count may indicate worsening preeclampsia and a risk of developing HELLP syndrome or thrombocytopenia.

Hematuria: Sign of Potential Worsening Condition - Hematuria suggests potential kidney involvement, which is a serious complication of preeclampsia, indicating a worsening condition. Positive clonus: Sign of Potential Worsening Condition - Positive clonus is a neurological sign associated with preeclampsia and indicates hyperreflexia, which can lead to seizures if untreated. Proteinuria 2+: Sign of Potential Worsening Condition - Increased proteinuria indicates ongoing kidney dysfunction, which is a worsening sign of preeclampsia.

Leukorrhea: Sign of Potential Improvement - Leukorrhea, an increase in vaginal discharge, may indicate a reduction in cervical mucus plug, which is a normal finding in late pregnancy.

BUN 40 mg/dL: Sign of Potential Worsening Condition - Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels indicate impaired kidney function, which is a worsening sign of preeclampsia and can lead to complications such as acute kidney injury.

A. "The car seat should be positioned in the car at a 45-degree angle." This statement is correct and indicates an understanding of car seat safety. Positioning the car seat at a 45-degree angle helps prevent the newborn's head from flopping forward, which could obstruct the airway. Proper positioning ensures both safety and comfort during travel.

B. "My baby will need a car seat challenge test before discharge." This statement is incorrect for a newborn delivered at 38 weeks of gestation. A car seat challenge test is typically required for premature infants (less than 37 weeks gestation) or those with specific health conditions to ensure they can tolerate sitting in a car seat without respiratory or cardiac issues.

C. "When my baby is 1 year old, I can turn their car seat facing forward." Incorrect. It is recommended to keep infants in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum height or weight limit recommended by the car seat manufacturer, typically well beyond the first year of life.

D. “I can use a sleep sack to keep my baby warm in the car seat." While using a sleep sack can keep a baby warm, it's important not to use any additional padding or blankets in the car seat as they can interfere with the proper harness fit and increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.