A nurse is collecting data about reflexes from a newborn. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to elicit the newborn's Moro reflex?
Perform a sharp hand clap near the infant.
Turn the newborn's head quickly to one side.
Place a finger at the base of the newborn's toes.
Hold the newborn vertically, allowing one foot to touch the crib surface.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
The Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex, is a normal reflex observed in newborns. To elicit this reflex, the nurse should perform a sharp hand clap or make a loud noise near the infant. This reflex is characterized by the baby's arms and legs extending outward, followed by a quick flexion, resembling a startle response. It is an important reflex to assess the newborn's neurological and motor development.
Choice B rationale:
Turning the newborn's head quickly to one side does not elicit the Moro reflex. This action may stimulate other reflexes, such as the tonic neck reflex, but it is not the appropriate method to assess the Moro reflex.
Choice C rationale:
Placing a finger at the base of the newborn's toes does not elicit the Moro reflex. This action is more related to testing the Babinski reflex, which involves the fanning and curling of the toes when the sole of the foot is stimulated.
Choice D rationale:
Holding the newborn vertically and allowing one foot to touch the crib surface does not elicit the Moro reflex. This action might elicit the stepping reflex, where the baby shows stepping movements as if walking when held in an upright position with their feet touching a surface.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Notifying the provider immediately may be an appropriate action in certain urgent situations. However, for a newborn who has not voided for the first time yet, it is not an immediate emergency. The priority is to assess the newborn's condition further before notifying the provider.
Choice B rationale:
Pressing on the bladder to prevent urine retention is not a recommended action. Applying pressure on the newborn's bladder can be harmful and is not a standard nursing practice.
Choice C rationale:
Administering IV fluid is not the priority action for a newborn who has not voided. Newborns usually receive sufficient hydration from breastfeeding or formula feeding, and administering IV fluid without proper indication can lead to potential complications.
Choice D rationale:
Documenting and continuing monitoring is the correct priority action in this situation. Newborns often take some time to pass their first urine, and it is considered normal for them to have delayed voiding within the first 24 hours after birth. The nurse should document the absence of voiding and monitor the newborn for any signs of distress or abnormalities. If the newborn's condition worsens or if there are other concerning symptoms, then notifying the provider may be necessary.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Cephalhematoma is the correct answer because it presents as a swelling on the newborn's head confined to one cranial bone and does not cross suture lines. It usually resolves on its own within a few weeks to months but can increase the risk of jaundice due to the breakdown of red blood cells in the hematoma.
Choice B rationale:
Nevus flammeus, also known as a port-wine stain, is a type of vascular birthmark. It presents as a flat, pink, or red mark on the skin and does not involve swelling of the head. This choice is unrelated to the findings described in the question and is therefore incorrect.
Choice C rationale:
Caput succedaneum refers to a diffuse, soft tissue swelling of the scalp that does cross suture lines. It is caused by pressure on the head during delivery, leading to edema and bruising. It typically resolves within a few days after birth.
Choice D rationale:
Molding refers to the shaping of the fetal head during childbirth as it passes through the birth canal. It may cause temporary elongation or molding of the head, but it does not present as a localized swollen area. This choice is not applicable to the findings mentioned in the question and is thus incorrect.
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