A nurse is performing an initial assessment of a newborn who was delivered vaginally at term with no complications.
Which of the following findings should alert the nurse to a potential problem?
Molding of the head
Acrocyanosis of hands and feet
Nasal flaring and grunting
Vernix caseosa on skin folds
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is choice C. Nasal flaring and grunting are signs of respiratory distress in a newborn and should alert the nurse to a potential problem.
The nurse should monitor the newborn’s respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and chest movements, and notify the provider if the symptoms persist or worsen.
Choice A is wrong because molding of the head is a normal finding in a newborn who was delivered vaginally.
It is caused by the pressure of the birth canal on the skull bones and usually resolves within a few days.
Choice B is wrong because acrocyanosis of hands and feet is a normal finding in a newborn during the first 24 hours of life.
It is caused by poor peripheral circulation and does not indicate hypoxia or cyanosis.
Choice D is wrong because vernix caseosa on skin folds is a normal finding in a newborn.
It is a white, cheesy substance that protects the skin from amniotic fluid and helps with thermoregulation.
It usually disappears within a few days.

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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice C. Document this as a normal finding.According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, bleeding from the dorsal slit after circumcision using a Gomco clamp is usually minimal and will stop once the clamp is in place.
Therefore, a small amount of blood on the diaper 12 hours after the procedure is not a cause for concern and does not require any intervention.
Choice A is wrong because applying gentle pressure to stop bleeding is not necessary and may cause more trauma to the wound.
Choice B is wrong because changing the diaper more frequently may also disturb the healing process and increase the risk of infection.Choice D is wrong because notifying the physician is not indicated unless there is excessive or persistent bleeding, signs of infection, or other complications.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A. Hypersensitivity.Erythromycin eye ointment is an antibiotic that can cause allergic reactions in some newborns, such as irritation, redness, swelling, or cloudy eyes.
This is a potential adverse reaction to this medication that the nurse should monitor for.
Choice B. Glaucoma is wrong because glaucoma is a condition that causes increased pressure in the eye and can damage the optic nerve.
It is not caused by erythromycin eye ointment.
Choice C. Cataracts is wrong because cataracts are a condition that causes clouding of the lens of the eye and can impair vision.
It is not caused by erythromycin eye ointment.
Choice D. Strabismus is wrong because strabismus is a condition that causes misalignment of the eyes and can affect depth perception.
It is not caused by erythromycin eye ointment.
Erythromycin eye ointment is used to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum, which is an infection of the eye surface that affects newborns within the first month of life.It can be caused by bacteria such as chlamydia or gonorrhea that can enter the baby’s eyes during childbirth and cause permanent damage to the corneas.Erythromycin eye ointment can help prevent vision loss caused by these bacteria.
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