A nurse is planning care immediately following birth for a newborn who has a myelomeningocele that is leaking cerebrospinal fluid. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Monitor the rectal temperature every 4 hr.
Cleanse the site with povidone-iodine.
Prepare for surgical closure after 72 hr.
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is choice A, administer broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Choice A rationale:
Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics is crucial for a newborn with a myelomeningocele that is leaking cerebrospinal fluid to prevent infection. The leaking of cerebrospinal fluid can increase the risk of meningitis, which is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are used as a prophylactic measure to reduce this risk.
Choice B rationale:
Monitoring the rectal temperature every 4 hours is important for detecting fever, which could indicate infection. However, it is not the most immediate action required for a newborn with a leaking myelomeningocele. The priority is to prevent infection through the administration of antibiotics.
Choice C rationale:
Cleansing the site with povidone-iodine is not recommended for a myelomeningocele because it can be toxic to the exposed neural tissue. Instead, the area should be covered with a sterile saline dressing to protect the site and prevent drying and further damage to the neural tissue.
Choice D rationale:
While surgical closure is necessary for a newborn with myelomeningocele, it is typically performed within 24 to 48 hours after birth, not after 72 hours. Early closure is essential to reduce the risk of infection and further damage to the exposed spinal cord and nerves.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Hct (hematocrit) of 34% is a normal finding during pregnancy. Normal ranges vary during pregnancy, but generally, a hematocrit between 33% to 45% is considered normal during the second trimester.
Choice B rationale:
BUN (blood urea nitrogen) of 25 mg/dL should be reported to the provider. BUN measures kidney function, and during pregnancy, values above 20 mg/dL may indicate possible impaired kidney function, which requires further evaluation.
Choice C rationale:
Platelets of 170,000/mm³ are within the normal range during pregnancy. The normal platelet count during pregnancy is typically between 150,000 to 400,000/mm³.
Choice D rationale:
HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) of 6% is a good indicator of blood sugar control and is within the target range for a pregnant woman with diabetes. The target HbA1c level for pregnant women with diabetes is usually around 6% or lower.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
If both the mother and the father are Rh positive, there is no risk of hemolytic disease in the newborn due to Rh incompatibility. Hemolytic disease of the newborn occurs when the mother is Rh negative and the father is Rh positive.
Choice B rationale:
When the mother is Rh positive and the father is Rh negative, there is no risk of hemolytic disease in the newborn. Hemolytic disease results from Rh incompatibility, which occurs when the mother is Rh negative, and the father is Rh positive.
Choice C rationale:
This is the correct answer. Hemolytic disease of the newborn occurs when the mother is Rh negative, and the father is Rh positive. In such cases, the baby may inherit the Rh factor from the father, leading to Rh incompatibility between the mother and the baby's blood, potentially causing hemolytic disease.
Choice D rationale:
If both the mother and the father are Rh negative, there is no risk of hemolytic disease in the newborn due to Rh incompatibility. Hemolytic disease of the newborn occurs when the mother is Rh negative and the father is Rh positive.
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