A nurse is planning care for a newborn who is small for gestational age (SGA) Which of the following is the priority intervention the nurse should include in the newborn's plan of care?

Choice A rationale:

A client who gave birth 1 day ago and needs Rh(D) immune globulin should be seen soon but not necessarily first. Rh(D) immune globulin is administered to Rh-negative mothers with Rh- positive infants to prevent isoimmunization in future pregnancies.

Choice B rationale:

A client who gave birth 3 days ago and reports breast fullness is likely experiencing normal postpartum breast engorgement. This client can be attended to after the client with more urgent symptoms.

Choice C rationale:

A client who gave birth 12 hours ago and reports an increase in urinary output might have diuresis, which is a common postpartum physiological change. Although this requires assessment, it is not as urgent as the client in choice D.

Choice D rationale:

The nurse should see the client who gave birth 8 hours ago and is saturating a perineal pad every hour first because excessive postpartum bleeding could indicate hemorrhage, a potentially life-threatening complication. Immediate assessment and intervention are crucial in this situation.

Choice A rationale:

Placing the newborn under a radiant heat warmer is used to prevent cold stress. Newborns are at risk of losing body heat rapidly, and cold stress can lead to various complications, including respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, and metabolic acidosis. The radiant heat warmer helps maintain the baby's body temperature within the normal range, promoting overall stability and reducing the risk of cold-related issues.

Choice B rationale:

The nurse should not choose choice B, "Respiratory depression,” as the action used to prevent. Placing the newborn under a radiant heat warmer does not specifically target respiratory depression. Respiratory depression in newborns may be related to various factors, such as anesthesia exposure during delivery or certain medications, and it requires appropriate monitoring and management rather than just heat regulation.

Choice C rationale:

The nurse should not choose choice C, "Thermogenesis,” as the action used to prevent. Thermogenesis refers to the generation of heat in the body, which is essential for maintaining body temperature. While the radiant heat warmer indirectly supports thermogenesis by preventing heat loss, the main purpose of using the warmer is to prevent cold stress, as stated in choice A.

Choice D rationale:

The nurse should not choose choice D, "Tachycardia,” as the action used to prevent. Tachycardia refers to an abnormally fast heart rate, and the use of a radiant heat warmer does not specifically target this condition. The purpose of the warmer, as explained earlier, is to maintain the baby's body temperature and prevent cold stress, not to address tachycardia.