A nurse is preparing to collect a specimen for newborn screening. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Use a lancet to puncture the inner aspect of the newborn's heel.
Leave the newborn's heel open to the air after the puncture.
Apply an antiseptic to the newborn's heel after collecting the specimen.
Warm the newborn's heel for 5 to 10 min before the puncture.
The Correct Answer is A
A) Correct - Newborn screening typically involves a heel stick using a lancet to collect a few drops of blood from the inner aspect of the newborn's heel.
B) Incorrect- Leaving the newborn's heel open to the air after the puncture is not necessary; a small bandage is typically applied.
C) Incorrect- An antiseptic is not typically applied after collecting the specimen, as it could interfere with the accuracy of the screening tests.
D) Incorrect- Warming the newborn's heel is not a standard step before collecting a specimen for newborn screening.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Correct - Group B streptococcus (GBS) screening is typically performed around 36 weeks of gestation to identify colonization. It helps determine whether antibiotic prophylaxis is necessary during labor to prevent transmission to the newborn.
B) Incorrect- Producing a clean catch urine specimen every 2 months is not a standard recommendation during pregnancy. Urine testing is common but does not usually occur this frequently.
C) Incorrect- Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening is typically done around 15-20 weeks of gestation, not 6 weeks.
D) Incorrect- Screening for gestational diabetes typically occurs between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation, not 12 weeks.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Incorrect- Overlapping suture lines in a newborn are common and usually resolve as the baby grows. This finding is not typically concerning.
B) Incorrect- Acrocyanosis, bluish discoloration of the hands and feet, is common in newborns and is a normal physiological response to adjusting to the outside environment.
C) Incorrect- Hypotonia, or decreased muscle tone, can be present in newborns and may improve over time. It's important to monitor but may not necessarily require immediate reporting.
D) Correct - A blood glucose level of 40 mg/dL in a newborn is considered low and requires intervention. Hypoglycemia in a newborn can have serious consequences and should be promptly addressed.
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